Joined: Mar 2019

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I have a very complex problem with my Civic (‘05, 280k miles) not starting and wondering what I can do. It began with one day getting in the car and turning the ignition to find out that it didn’t want to start. I get all the lights plus the fuel system noise, but no clicks, no cranks. It started as a very occasional problem, but now it seems to be happening daily. Once the car starts, everything functions as normal. Here’s everything I’ve done to try to fix the problem:

• Jump the starter with the battery - most effective technique for a quick start. I’ve pulled the resonator out of my car indefinitely so I can jump the starter - one end of the cable attaches to the bolt, the other goes to the positive terminal of the battery. I let the starter spin for about 5 seconds and then the car cranks 95% of the time after that. Recently, this technique has become more frequent, the car will start an hour after it was driven last, but 2 hours or more of waiting will cause this issue again. I have to jump it every day after it sits overnight.
• Pulled out the starter - took it to a shop to test it and it’s spinning like it’s supposed to.
• Battery - replaced with a new battery that gave a better reading than the old one. Reinforced connections at terminals
• replaced the negative battery wire - it had high resistance, was replaced and re-grounded
• replaced the neutral safety switch

To give more context, it’s been about 3 years since any major engine work was done on it (head gasket replaced in 2016) so I doubt that any work on it caused this issue.

My top theory right now is that it’s a solenoid issue, and may require replacing the starter (even though it tested fine).

Any other suggestions or things I can try?

Joined: Feb 2016

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From: Barrie, ON Canada

Joined: Nov 2016

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From: South Texas

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 508

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From: South Texas

Joined: Mar 2019

Posts: 2

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It’s an automatic so I don’t think that would apply.

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 9,638

Likes: 1,283

From: Barrie, ON Canada