YACT: Something weird is wrong with my sister's car.

[speed01]

Originally posted by: speed01

The symptoms sound like a bad battery that is too low to even take a jump. Regardless of voltage, if it doesn't have the amps to crank the engine it won't work.

And, if the battery is low enough, it may not even have enough charge to fire the ignition. Doesn't really matter if it's cranking or not in that case. I'm willing to bet that if you put a new battery in, she will fire up just fine..YMMV

Speed

 

[AmphibSailor]

This is classic "bad battery". It doesn't have the cranking amps to start the engine. Hence the, "rrr-rrr-rrr" sound. Then, after a number of attempts to get the car started the battery ends up completley dying...charging doesn't help because the battery is shot.

I agree, other than not starting, there is no symptom of a bad starter described.[/quote]

Winter usually reveals weak batteries....If it's more than a couple of years old, I agree that might be the best place to start..

However, it its cold starter solenoid can stick and prevent the starter gear from engaging the flywheel. When a solenoid doesn't work properly...it can make a clicking noise just as funboy described. (Older cars had the solenoid as a separate part from the starter...newer cars had the solenoid built in as discussed by nutdotnet.)

Back in the day...I carried a small ball peen hammer to tap the starter solenoid / starter to help it engage...because it had a tendency to stick when it was cold. I don't think that you can get to the starter of a car, easily, now.

 

[Cashmoney995]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Shawn
Not yet. I'm going to look at it tomorrow when it's light out. I can't see anything right now.

BTW, is there anyway to roll an automatic? I can't get it out of park while the car is off. :|

Turn the key, step on the brake, shift into N

I tried that. It won't let me push in the button on the shifter unless the engine is running.

(dont know if someone answered yet)

But on the plate where your shifter shifts, where it reads PRND and what not, there should be a little black square. Pop that open, shove something long (a pen will work) and then you should be able to shift into N. Get your foot on the brake. That my friend is the shift lock overide. (and yes this is for your Honda Civic 2001)

 

[chrisms]

There is probably something wrong under the hood

 

[dafatha00]

I had an identical problem to the one you're describing here. I replaced the solenoid and the alternator and voila, everything was good.

 

[AmphibSailor]

Any updates on the problem or solution?

 

[Freaknificent]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Most people don't know about this or the inertia switch in the trunk for the fuel pump. If you get slightly popped in the rear of some cars (mostly newer 90's on) there is a like breaker switch for the fuel pump in the trunk. If you get whacked it pops killing the fuel pump.

Bought many cars cheap off people thinking their pumps were bad when all I did was push the car down the street, pop the trunk, reset the switch, start the car, drive it home and put a for sale sign back in it with asking $800-$1500 more then I paid

Whee is said switch and what does it look like? just curious

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Shawn
Not yet. I'm going to look at it tomorrow when it's light out. I can't see anything right now.

BTW, is there anyway to roll an automatic? I can't get it out of park while the car is off. :|

Turn the key, step on the brake, shift into N

I tried that. It won't let me push in the button on the shifter unless the engine is running.

I've never ever ever ever seen that. That would make moving the vehicle when it stalls impossible.

Thats actually pretty normal. You have to use the key to press into a slot near the shifter to enable it. Maybe its a Japanese car thing.

 

[brtspears2]

Dead/dying battery, corrosion, or loose connections somewhere.

 

[Christobevii3]

Sounds like a solenoid

 

[Squisher]

It's probably a Sony battery.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Freaknificent

Originally posted by: funboy42

Most people don't know about this or the inertia switch in the trunk for the fuel pump. If you get slightly popped in the rear of some cars (mostly newer 90's on) there is a like breaker switch for the fuel pump in the trunk. If you get whacked it pops killing the fuel pump.

Bought many cars cheap off people thinking their pumps were bad when all I did was push the car down the street, pop the trunk, reset the switch, start the car, drive it home and put a for sale sign back in it with asking $800-$1500 more then I paid

Whee is said switch and what does it look like? just curious

In the trunk on the the right or left side usually behind a small pull panel near a sticker that says inertia switch. Or check owners manual, can be behind a kick panel too on some cars as well.

OP what did the problem turn out to be?