2001 Honda Civic ex starting issues
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2001 Honda Civic ex starting issues
Have a 2001 Honda Civic ex that needs to be jumped each time to start. Battery has been tested and recharged and is a good battery, alternator is good, starter and starter connections are good, all fuses are good, there aren't any shorts. When the battery is charged the car starts up and disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery while it's running causes the car to shut off.
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Re: 2001 Honda Civic ex starting issues
Do you have a multi-meter? Check the battery voltage while the engine is running and when the engine is shutoff. With the engine running you should see ~14V, with the engine off you should see ~12V.
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If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
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disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery while it's running causes the car to shut off.
Make sure the compressor clutch is not staying engaged after the engine is turned off. (sticking relay is kinda common)
Make sure brake lights are not stuck on as well. (rotten contact pad for brake switch, breaks apart then switch won't turn off the lights)
Car OFF. Draw test. Use an ammeter to measure current drain. I expect to see 30mA or less.
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Don't do that. You can fry really expensive electronics in a hurry.
Make sure the compressor clutch is not staying engaged after the engine is turned off. (sticking relay is kinda common)
Make sure brake lights are not stuck on as well. (rotten contact pad for brake switch, breaks apart then switch won't turn off the lights)
Car OFF. Draw test. Use an ammeter to measure current drain. I expect to see 30mA or less.
Make sure the compressor clutch is not staying engaged after the engine is turned off. (sticking relay is kinda common)
Make sure brake lights are not stuck on as well. (rotten contact pad for brake switch, breaks apart then switch won't turn off the lights)
Car OFF. Draw test. Use an ammeter to measure current drain. I expect to see 30mA or less.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 517 Re: 2001 Honda Civic ex starting issues
I disconnected the negative battery cable from the post and hooked a test light between them,
This check with a test light is a worthless exercise because it cannot quantify anything.
There is a time and a place for a test light. This is not the time or place.
There will always be some draw through that fuse, by design. It's normal and correct
The question now is 'how much draw, exactly?'.
Use a real ammeter for this.
I replaced the instrument cluster
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