Won't start, elect probs?

[whizzit]

Heres how it went, last night I parked my '91 si for a couple of hours or so. I go to start it that night and when I put the key in it was like the battery was dead. The lights weren't left on, and the interior light wasn't on. Anyways so I try to start it and all it does is make a bunch of clicking noises. We tried charging the battery, no go. Next morning I take off the distribitor cap (I think thats what its called) and theres a little sludge (water/oil and dirt) inside it....the seal was bad, all dried and cracked.

I've searched through the forum, and I've checked the grounds and looked over the fuses (might look over them again). Anyone have any ideas? I've thought about hooking up a test light to one of the leads, but I really don't know.

[KoRnSaQ]

If it is not your distributor then it might be your main relay,
Did the car do anything different when you switched the battery???

[whizzit]

I didn't switch the battery, but after we tried charging it the car didn't do anything different. Right now its sitting on the street with the leads off the battery.

[Magik Si]

Originally Posted by KoRnSaQ

If it is not your distributor then it might be your main relay

I second that...whenever our honda's won't start...that's the first place I'd look!

Jason

[whizzit]

Ok, I'll give that a look, but what would I look for? I'll look in the manual, but asking just incase I don't find anything. Thanks for the help.

[Magik Si]

Try this...

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/index2.html

Got to 'technical'...'how to'...'electrical'...'replacing main relay'

and see if this helps.

[4-Door Flunky]

When the starter solenoid dies, it makes the noise you described.
Have one person twist the key and hold it in the start position while you get under the hood and pop the starter. I use my torque wrench, holding it like a pool cue, to deliver a gentle tap to the starter.
If the solenoid is just hanging up, giving it that little pop while someone is holding the key in the start position will make it work again.
Although, if the solenoid is nearly dead, that method won't work forever. You'll need a new starter.
Flunky

[bionictony]

i agree.. if the battery is hooked up and the headlights light up when the car is off, the battery is good. but if the engine isn't turning and everything else is clicking, i'd start to look at the starter first

[bambam89lx]

try to pop start it and see if it pop starts...that'll tell you if its a dizzy problem. do all the interior lights/headlights etc. come on? if they do and ur car pop starts, then it's prolly the starter. If you need one, hit me up.

[wardenswife]

Flunky...you are right again on tapping the starter. I just used my favorite hammer on the flat side on my 74 Pontiac and a gentle "tap tap". That worked for about a year, until I could find another rebuilt starter. Worked on my friends 75 Olds too. Word to the wise: do NOT wear a skirt on a windy day when you know you have this problem.

[Doc Jones]

Originally Posted by wardenswife

Word to the wise: do NOT wear a skirt on a windy day when you know you have this problem.

We demand pics!

[wardenswife]

It was a chilling experience!

Originally Posted by Doc Jones

We demand pics!

[whizzit]

Well I got the car running alright. Turns out it was the battery. I replaced it and the car runs just fine. The old one just couldn't hold a charge or anything.