I have a 92 civic with a 1.5l engine - my daughter left the lights on and then would not start - probably a dead battery. She found help from friends and they attempted to start - I do not know much about this situation but the end result was they did not get any response from the car.

I drove to where the car was and found the following:

ALL electrical is dead with the exception of the rear brake lights - they are bright when the pedal is pushed.

No response from anything else including headlights, starter, radio, interior light, dash, etc...


In this case, I would understand a completely dead system with the lights being left on for several hours. But the rear lights work. Confusing. Any suggestions out there?

what happens when you try to jumpstart the car? maybe the brakelights can run on the lower voltage that is common with dead batteries, whereas the less of the electrical system won't. connect the civic to another battery and try to start it, more than likely eitherr the batery is bad and cannot store a charge, or the alternator is ad and isnt recharging the battery.
If you still can not get andthing to work check the main fusebox for anything abnormal. it would be a big help if you a. can jumpstart it and b. have a voltmeter nearby to monitor the voltage your car is running at, if you have a dead attery it will be.

So try jumpstarting it and getting your hands on a voltmeter to monitor the voltage. then get back at us

Thanks for the comment. Tonight I found that the 80 amp main fuse was blown. REplaced it and I'm on my way! Interesting that the brake lights still work when the MAIN fuse is blown.

never blown a main fuse myself. did you check it before or after i recommended it.glad it was an easy fix.