Rep Power: 0

Hi All,

I have a 2004 Civic Ex Coupe with 40k miles on it. I went on vacation for about 3 weeks and when I tried to start the car today, it just makes a series of rapid clicking noises. Not sure if it is the battery since my radio still works fine and I can power on the AC. I read online that this could be a stuck solenoid? If so where is the solenoid located and how can I unstick it? Anyone have suggestions? I will call AAA to jump start the car.

Thank you.

 
Rep Power: 309

Charge the battery and pop the caps and check the fluid level.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the response. What d you mean "pop the caps and check the fluid level"?

 
Rep Power: 309

There should be a small round window in the top, when you look down in it should be green (yours may be dark) If the fluid is low it will have yellow (at least mine did)

When you take the battery hold-down loose you will be able to pry up the 2 caps (3 cells each cap)

You should see fluid covering the plates of all the cells. Don't fill to top, just enough to cover the plates.

 
Rep Power: 813

2 weeks is usually the max you can leave a car battery connected before you wont be able to start it. go to auto store and pick up a slow 1.5 amp trickle charger with auto shutoff and use that to charge up the old battery. monitor the voltage with voltmeter and let it charge upto around 12.5v and then the car should start no problem.

 
Rep Power: 256

seems like you just need a jump start.

 
Rep Power: 220

Could be that you got build up on your battery terminals and its not getting a good connection. It has happened to me more than once. Now I clean my posts and terminals with a wire brush and baking soda in water about every other month. What happens is the exhaust fumes from your battery acid are attracted to the positive charge on your terminals, and tends to build up. Clean em and put a nice thick coat of terminal grease on them puppies, and you should be fine.

 
Rep Power: 0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miCeXM6LfYA



BTW, is your car a manual or auto? If it's manual, it's possible to roll start it.