automotive question

[Frosty3799]

Car decided to no longer start today, won't even turn over.
1992 civic EX 1.6L SOHC, 5 speed.

Symptoms:
When I turn the key, dash lights and headlights dim, radio turns off, as if it were going to start properly. I can hear the relays in the car working, and also can hear the starter solenoid working when i am under the hood. I know the car still functions properly when it is up and running, because I had to push start it to get it home.

The battery is fairly new, but I tried a jump box on it anyway, to see if it was just not getting enough juice, but that did not work either. My next thought was the starter:

I am currently troubleshooting my starter to see if that is the problem.

I unbolted the starter, so it is now just in the bay, but not contacting the flywheel (it is still grounded to complete the necessary circuit for operation). When I turn the key, the result is the starter solenoid firing properly, and the starter pin does shoot out. Now, when the pin comes out it does not spin, but there is currently no resistance being applied to it..

My question is, does the starter require that pressure for it to spin? or should it just be free-spinning for me, as if it would if properly connected and contacting the flywheel?

Also, is there any other way I can test to see if the starter is the problem?

Thanks ahead of time
Josh

 

[jlee]

The starter should spin.

 

[skyking]

it should spin freely out of the bellhousing, if you have it grounded too. It sounds like that is the problem.

 

[Ronstang]

That was so confusing I am not even sure what you are talking about. You turn the key but the car doesn't start....is that it? If you already have the starter free then simply take the wires off of it and carry it to the local auto parts store and they will test it for you. If the starter works come back here and make a COHERENT post and we will go from there.

 

[Krazefinn]

It doesnt need any pressure, when circuit is closed, it should spin. methinks armature has dead winding or burned contact. Try to turn the shaft by hand quarter turn trthen turn key. Repeat. Sometimes it is just one small segment that went dead, and a new armature winding works. May have to use a tool to turn the shaft (screwdriver pried against pinion tooth). Cheap fix is to bump the starter in gear to go past dead section, until replaced, new ones are over $150

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Krazefinn
It doesnt need any pressure, when circuit is closed, it should spin. methinks armature has dead winding or burned contact. Try to turn the shaft by hand quarter turn trthen turn key. Repeat. Sometimes it is just one small segment that went dead, and a new armature winding works. May have to use a tool to turn the shaft (screwdriver pried against pinion tooth). Cheap fix is to bump the starter in gear to go past dead section, until replaced, new ones are over $150

Expensive starter..the one in my MR2 ran me less than $100. Then again, it might be bad already..haven't confirmed that yet. 😛

 

[bctbct]

Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
That was so confusing I am not even sure what you are talking about. You turn the key but the car doesn't start....is that it? If you already have the starter free then simply take the wires off of it and carry it to the local auto parts store and they will test it for you. If the starter works come back here and make a COHERENT post and we will go from there.

I am sorry you couldn't understand my post. I would have just brought it to a parts store if I had a ride while they were still open.

Thanks to the others, I will head to the auto parts store tomorrow and get another one.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

i love when people talk out of their ass about cars.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

umm first off the lights in my honda dim when i start it. secoundly he tried to jump it

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

I tried a jump box, that didn't make a difference

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: Ronstang
That was so confusing I am not even sure what you are talking about. You turn the key but the car doesn't start....is that it? If you already have the starter free then simply take the wires off of it and carry it to the local auto parts store and they will test it for you. If the starter works come back here and make a COHERENT post and we will go from there.

I am sorry you couldn't understand my post. I would have just brought it to a parts store if I had a ride while they were still open.

Thanks to the others, I will head to the auto parts store tomorrow and get another one.

Have it tested first. It may not be bad. A bad battery cable or connection can cause one to think the starter is bad.

 

[91TTZ]

Hit the starter with a hammer. Seriously. This is a common problem. Hitting it is not going to cure the problem, but it will help you diagnose a sticking part in the starter.

 

[Krazefinn]

Autozone tests starters and alternators for free...doubt its connections, certainly not alternator if all other accessories work and jumping didnt help.
Park on hills or curbs!

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: Ronstang
That was so confusing I am not even sure what you are talking about. You turn the key but the car doesn't start....is that it? If you already have the starter free then simply take the wires off of it and carry it to the local auto parts store and they will test it for you. If the starter works come back here and make a COHERENT post and we will go from there.

I am sorry you couldn't understand my post. I would have just brought it to a parts store if I had a ride while they were still open.

Thanks to the others, I will head to the auto parts store tomorrow and get another one.

Have it tested first. It may not be bad. A bad battery cable or connection can cause one to think the starter is bad.

I will, thanks for the recommend.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

I tried a jump box, that didn't make a difference

I would try jumping with another car I am not sure if a jump box puts out enough amperage to jump a completely dead battery.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

I tried a jump box, that didn't make a difference

I would try jumping with another car I am not sure if a jump box puts out enough amperage to jump a completely dead battery.

If the battery was completely dead, the lights wouldn't dim.. 😉

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

I tried a jump box, that didn't make a difference

I would try jumping with another car I am not sure if a jump box puts out enough amperage to jump a completely dead battery.

Then what the fvck good is a 'jump box'?

:roll:

To quote a wise man..

i love when people talk out of their ass about cars.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: Frosty3799

Originally posted by: bctbct
Sounds like a bad alternator to me. The battery is so low that it dims the lights and does not have enough juice to fire the starter. Could be the battery has dead cells.

Try jumping it with another vehicle, may have to let it sit w/ the cables on to restore enough power to battery.

I tried a jump box, that didn't make a difference

I would try jumping with another car I am not sure if a jump box puts out enough amperage to jump a completely dead battery.

Then what the fvck good is a 'jump box'?

:roll:

To quote a wise man..

i love when people talk out of their ass about cars.

Dont know but then again I wouldnt pull the fricking starter off a car before I tried jump starting it the traditional way either. Especially when the dimming lights indicate not enough electrical power.

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: bctbct



Dont know but then again I wouldnt pull the fricking starter off a car before I tried jump starting it the traditional way either. Especially when the dimming lights indicate not enough electrical power.

I tried jumping BEFORE removing the starter. And the lights dim when turning the key to the starting position, which is where they are supposed to dim, because the extra juice is needed for the starting process. Every car (I have been in at least) the lights dim when turning overe and starting..