98 Civic won't turn over, but lights, etc. work. Weak battery? cell? connection? Help!?

Answer 1

I like some of the answers here. If you don't have a voltage meter, just use booster cable and try to start your car. If it starts, then its the battery or alternator. Take it to a shop and they can determine which. However, if you use booster cables and the car doesn't start, then do the following:

- check the spark plug wires, wiggle them, remove and reinstall them. Remove and reinstall them ONE AT A TIME. The order in which spark plug wire goes where is important. Make sure the plug wires "click" in place.

- goto your trunk and grab the tire iron. Locate the starter and give it a good wack. Try starting the car again. If it starts after a few light hits using the tire iron that's good. Now you know it is the starter that's going. Take it to a shop at once and have it replaced.

- if it still doesn't start, it may very likely be the ignition coil that has failed. The ignition coil is inside the distributor. It's a relatively inexpensive item and most people can perform this replacement themselves as long as you have one of those Do It Yourself car manuals. This is a common problem for Civics.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Have you recently had any work done on the car or has it been sitting for an extended period of time? If so, look into the battery (any auto parts store will test it for free) then move to the starer if battery is ok. (Don't forget to check your fuses!)
When you try to turn over do you get a clicking noise? After a few seconds of trying to turn over, does your check engine light come on? If so turn the key in the off position, locate the service plug(remove the kick panel on the pass side and you will see a light blue plug near the ECU harness) and jump it (take a small piece of wire, strip and inch or so off each end and twist the wires, then stick this into the service plug) Now turn your key to the ON position and your check engine light will then flash to give you the service code.

SHORT flashes are single digits (1/2 second)
LONG flashes are 10's (1 second)

-----CEL # List-----
1 O2A - Oxygen sensor #1
2 O2B - Oxygen sensor #2
3 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
4 CKP - crank position sensor
5 MAP - manifold absolute pressure sensor
6 ECT - water temperature sensor
7 TPS - throttle position sensor
8 TDC - top dead centre sensor
9 CYP - cylinder sensor
10 IAT - intake air temperature sensor
12 EGR - exhaust gas recirculation lift valve
13 BARO - atmospheric pressure sensor
14 IAC (EACV) - idle air control valve
15 Ignition output signal
16 Fuel injectors
17 VSS - speed sensor
19 Automatic transmission lockup control valve
20 Electrical load detector
21 VTEC spool solenoid valve
22 VTEC pressure valve
23 Knock sensor
30 Automatic transmission A signal
31 Automatic transmission B signal
36 traction control found on JDM ecu's
41 Primary oxygen sensor heater
43 Fuel supply system
45 Fuel system too rich or lean
48 LAF - lean air fuel sensor
54 CKF - crank fluctuation sensor
58 TDC sensor #2
61 Primary oxygen sensor
63 Secondary oxygen sensor circuit
65 Secondary oxygen sensor heater wire (black wires)
67 Cat Converter
71 random misfire cylinder 1
72 random misfire cylinder 2
73 random misfire cylinder 3
74 random misfire cylinder 4
80 EGR Valve/Line
86 ECT sensor - Cooling System
91 Fuel Tank pressure sensor
92 EVAP Solenoid/Valve/Vacuum Lines

Hope this helps, if you get a CEL let us know what it is and we'll go from there.

Answer 3

First off clean the battery terminals and posts with a battery brush till they are shiny. You should have a voltmeter on the dash. If it is 12 vo;ts or less you have a weak battery. You need a jump or a battery charger. Once started check the voltmeter. It should be reading 12.5 volts with engine off and 14.5 volts with engine running. If less than 14.0 volt you have an alt. problem. Go to auto zone and have the charging system checked.

Answer 4

Try those other suggestions first, if they do not work it might be your starter too. The starter won't turn over, but obviously if the battery is connected the lights and etc will still work. So try those other suggestions first, and then I'd look at the starter.

Answer 5

Well and if you still can't isolate the problem between the battery or the starter, you can try jump-starting it with another car. If it starts, then it is the battery that needs replacement. If it doesn't then it's not the battery.

Answer 6

Probably a weak battery. But if not then my guess is that it's the starter.

You made good guesses, although I don't understand "cell".

Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

if u have a multimeter tester I'd do that test ur battery and see if it is putting out around 12 volts..if its like 6-9 volts its weak, thats the first thing I'd try...

hope it works out.

Answer 8

Have her checked out at your local Honda dealer. Could be fuel injectors. Hope it's nothing major. Good luck.