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He's not too familiar with using these forums and his car is dead in the water. It was running fine when he parked it. Now nothing. Lights work and the battery seems hot. However, lights don't dim when he turns the key while trying to start it. He thought that he ruined the engine by running it low on oil, but though it is low, it has oil in it and the light never came on so, I think that's not the issue. Start neutral switch perhaps? It's an '05, by the way.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
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Re: New user. Son's Civic won't start.
If it won't start in park you can see if it will start in neutral.
Or if it's manual you can bypass the clutch switch. Also if it's manual try bump starting it.
I would try giving the starter a smack, it's on top of the trans.
Check all the important connections are clean and tight.
I looked at it today. I hear a relay on the passenger side pulling in so I'm pretty sure the ignition switch is ok. But, the lights don't dim at all when the key is turned to start. I've told him that when he can he should remove the airbox so I can see if I'm getting power to the solenoid. Tapped on the starter with a rod but no effect.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: New user. Son's Civic won't start.
So this is a 'no crank' situation?
Starter inop....look on the drivers floor for crumbled chunks of a disc about the size of a dime, it was located on a tab on the clutch pedal where the switch plunger makes contact.. If this little disc (pad) is missing, the switch won't work.
NOTE: the clutch pedal has two switches. The first switch you see is not the one for the starter...the one for the starter safety is located high up on the pedal.
Also: The pedal must reach the floor when it's pushed down. Make sure the floor mat isn't wadded up under the clutch pedal. (People actually have cars towed in to the shop because of this)
Starter inop....look on the drivers floor for crumbled chunks of a disc about the size of a dime, it was located on a tab on the clutch pedal where the switch plunger makes contact.. If this little disc (pad) is missing, the switch won't work.
NOTE: the clutch pedal has two switches. The first switch you see is not the one for the starter...the one for the starter safety is located high up on the pedal.
Also: The pedal must reach the floor when it's pushed down. Make sure the floor mat isn't wadded up under the clutch pedal. (People actually have cars towed in to the shop because of this)
Yes, no-crank. I will inspect for this situation this afternoon. From the way it occurred it could very well be the problem. He drove the car home from school, turned it off and, poof, nothing.
The plastic actuator is intact. But I wasn't sure if it was making the switch. I assume that the switch is NO so I pulled the connector and jumped the wires together. Still nothing. No solenoid noise or clicking of any kind except if I'm standing in front of the car with the hood open and then I hear that relay on the passenger side click slightly. As I said, the lights don't dim and no other detectable indication that it's dumping any current to the starting circuit, at all. What is the function of the other switch related to the clutch pedal?
Take the handy voltmeter (or $3 test light) to the starter and do some testing.
Yeah, I've got a digital meter. The air-box has to come out to get to those connections. I had asked the son to remove it so I could test but after reading the thing about the pedal pad, I said to hold off. Now it's going to have to come off.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,641
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From: Barrie, ON Canada
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Re: New user. Son's Civic won't start.
Ezone is one of, if not the most knowledgeable people on this forum. I'd get out the volt-meter/test light and start checking for voltage drop.
You never answered my question if you could push start it or not
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: New user. Son's Civic won't start.
Originally Posted by rose62
Anyone else chime in?
Someone actually doing some testing is much more beneficial and productive, it provides tangible test results that (hopefully) leads to THE correct repair. No guessing.
Where's that $3 test light?
Bet ya'll a dollar they are looking at the brake light switch,the cruise switch ,but not the important switch way way up high inside the clutch pedal cavity.You cant see it unless the top of your forehead is pressing in the clutch pedal while you hold a flashlight in pain.
