Rep Power: 0

Hi
Trying to help my son out here. His 02 Civic (Canadian) suddenly would not start yesterday. I thought it must be a dead battery but no, its good, and is charged. All dash lights are on, looks just like it would if you were going to start, however when you turn the key all the way absolutely nothing happens, no clicks, no nothing. It's like someone unplugged the starter motor.
Have tried moving the car and trying to start, no change. Tried starting in neutral, no change. Have looked at some fuses near the battery, all seem good and didn't find one tied specifically to the starter motor.
Its dark now, but will try tapping on the starter motor tomorrow when I can see what I am doing and see if that produces anything.

My obvious suspicion is the starter motor, but my past history with these is they tend to give you signs they are going and don't just stop.
Thought I would ask here in case there may be some things simple to look at before getting it towed to my mechanic.
Thanks

 
Rep Power: 209

is the starter motor getting power while your turning the key?

that is the first thing you need to check

what is the green key light on the dash doing?

 
Rep Power: 0

I can't find my tester, but will check when I do.
The key light is on when I first start turning the key but it isnt there once I turn it all the way to start and then release.
Image is whats on for dash lights after I let go of the key after turning it all the way to start it. Sure feels like the starter is not getting power. Will check fuses again when it's light. May have to sit there a while, as its going down to -30c pretty quick and I don't have a garage!! Will have to wait until it warms up a bit.
I would be much more convinced of it being the starter if there had been lead up problems or hearing the clicking.

 
Rep Power: 160

Does this car have an aftermarket alarm system installed?

 
Rep Power: 0

I'm thinking: bad battery connection.

Try this: Try to move the battery cable.
Try to twist the cable around the post.

You should not be able to move the cable. Cable should be tight to the post.
If the cable moves, then it's not making a good connection.
If it moves, then you need to remove, clean it and tighten it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes, the car does have an after market alarm system. Hadn't thought of that.
It's a CompuSTAR SuperHet system.
Just went out again, and I hadn't heard it the first two times, but there is a very subtle almost imperceptible click as the key goes into the last mode as you turn it all the way. This is where the motor would turn over.
Battery cable tight against the post, both posts.

 
Rep Power: 0

Bingo!
Car alarm.
I disconnected the battery which should reset the alarm.
Once reconnected and four tries later the engine turned over, but the battery is almost dead, as its low -20's right now. It's on the charger and plugged in and will try tonight.
Pretty sure its got it!
I didn't think it was the starter.
Now to get hold of a manual and read up on this alarm and try and figure out why it did what it did.

 
Rep Power: 160

When I got my car last year it had an aftermarket alarm/keyless entry installed. I had the exact same problem, but eventually (after 5 or 6 tries) the car would start. That's why I asked about an alarm.

A Honda technician told me to disconnect the alarm completely, and that worked. But they hosed up the ignition wiring somewhere and I still need to track that down as it sometimes causes a hesitation in starting.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just went out and it started really easily.
I found the alarm manual, so will have a look through and see if I can figure anything out.
Will leave on the trickle charger overnight. Supposed to be -37c tomorrow night! Brrrrr