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Please help! I recently bought a 2005 Civic Hybrid. I own a 1997 Civic with a brand new battery. I want to sell the 97 so swapped the batteries in the 2 cars so the 2005 would have a new battery. Now neither car will start. In the 2005, the dome light works, the dash lights work, there is a clicking sound but it will not start. The radio does not work, and neither do the power locks. The beeping sound works when I put the key in the ignition. I tried switching the batteries back, but still neither car will start. Any ideas?

 
Rep Power: 517

First, make certain both batteries are actually good.

Next: Did you accidentally connect either one backwards (big spark) in either car? Barely touching the cable to a wrong battery post is all it takes.
That can blow the BIG main fuse and some others. Nothing will work until those are fixed. Applies to both cars.

The electronics/computers in the hybrid can "freak out" when the 12v battery is weak or if the key was on when you hooked up the battery (voltage spikes).
If you didn't damage any of the fuses, then shut everything off, take the key out, disconnect the 12v battery negative cable for 10 minutes. Reconnect and see what happens.

A voltmeter (or even a simple test light) and some logical methodical testing can narrow this down.

 
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Thank you ezone for your help!
I ended up jumping the old battery in the 97, and it worked.
That did not work for the new battery, so we took it to Autozone, they charged it, we re-installed it, and it works!

 
Rep Power: 517

So both batteries were dead?? Nice. Really makes you doubt yourself and your work.
Wonder how anyone managed to drive either car LOL.