Help!! completely dead

[civiclvr]

Hey there
well i tried to start up my car today and no luck. i can't figure it out so i'll see what someone who's more knowledgeable than me can suggest. I turn the key.. very faint single click then nothing at all!! i've checked the battery(still good), and the fuses (all ok).. so i'm thinking it's the starter motor. however if the starter goes doesn't it make a CLICKing sound repeatedly?? what else could it be? ignition coil?? am lost and getting ticked off right now! any help would be appreciated... also is there a way to test the starter other than having the engine turn over? i want to eliminate as many possibilities as i can!
TIA
oh... and it's a 4g civic hatch

[Ed the SOHC]

how did u check the battery?

[civiclvr]

voltometer.. battery holds charge! 12.1 V

[Ed the SOHC]

Originally posted by civiclvr
voltometer.. battery holds charge! 12.1 V

but this doesn't show current... there isn't enough current to start the engine. I think it's your battery. Did you try getting a jump?

[Lococoin]

try tapping the starter with a hammer while someone holds the key to start, if it turns over u need a new starter as the starter is weak.

[civiclvr]

No not yet.. i thought that if my battery was dead then none of the cars electronics would work.. everything else works(lights stereo etc)

[Ed the SOHC]

my car did the same thing last year and the radio and light still work but the car wouldn't start. try the jump and go from there.

[sml]

Originally posted by civiclvr
No not yet.. i thought that if my battery was dead then none of the cars electronics would work.. everything else works(lights stereo etc)

Get someone to hold onto the voltmeter on the battery WHILE you start the car. If your battery voltage drops below 8V while cranking, then you need a new batt. Batteries are not about voltage, it's about how much current it can provide. That's why they keep advertising "cold cranking AMPS"!

[civiclvr]

ok i'll try jumping it as soon as i get home.(stuck in SAIT right now) general concenus is that the battery is dead!! thanks guys i hope that it all that it is!! but if i do jump it, and the battery holds charge through cranking... then what could it be?
thanks again guys!! slowly learning!

[Lococoin]

if that doesnt work try the starter tapping trick...

[rice_eater]

i get one single click when i try to start the car usually after i work on the car...why? Most often one of the batery terminals is an ever so tiny bit loose. Try that and the ignition wire....just play with them....if they move at all tighten them. As for the batery being the problem it is possible...when my batery died all my stuff worked but it was dead...the reason it died was because it wasn't sealed completely anymore and while it was warm outside it was fine, but as soon as some cold weather hit it it became useless...

[civiclvr]

lol and winter is on it's way!! shitty..
thanks Loco i will try that if the battery thing doesn't pan out!

[Lococoin]

sounds good..i had to use that trick to get my motorhome back from bc this summer. of course that was a dodge starter

[Mike09]

What year is your car. If it's an older car the wires between the starter and the battery might be corroded causing a lack of power supply.

[kaput]

.

[boi-alien]

sounds like the battery to me

[guitardemon]

Originally posted by civiclvr
Hey there
well i tried to start up my car today and no luck. i can't figure it out so i'll see what someone who's more knowledgeable than me can suggest. I turn the key.. very faint single click then nothing at all!! i've checked the battery(still good), and the fuses (all ok).. so i'm thinking it's the starter motor. however if the starter goes doesn't it make a CLICKing sound repeatedly?? what else could it be? ignition coil?? am lost and getting ticked off right now! any help would be appreciated... also is there a way to test the starter other than having the engine turn over? i want to eliminate as many possibilities as i can!
TIA
oh... and it's a 4g civic hatch

well i had this problem recently and this is the exact situation, i was in. the problem is your solenoid is fried, jus drop the starter change the solenoid and ur problem should be fixed
:tongue:

[ryder_23]

If jumpin it doesnt work...get someone to push u down hill, and start ur car in 2nd gear if its a standard...push start if starter is dead...but from the sounds of it, sounds like battery

[civiclvr]

hey Guys..
yeah that battery is TOAST! voltometer during crank read about 4.5V... thanks guys!