car won't start

[racingnut10]

Hey guys, I know this is Honda but my friend suggested I post here.
I'm writing this from a friends account.

I'm working on a 97 2.2 CL. The car won't start. I've checked the alternator, battery, and starter and all are fine. Is there a security feature or starter kill on these cars?
When I try to crank up the car, the solenoid pops out and then everything goes dead. I have to disconnect the battery to reset everything.

Please help.

[GScivic7]

are you getting fuel?

[racingnut10]

I'm not sure, but I was able to jump start the car.

[GScivic7]

sounds like it is your alternator or battery then. Did it keep running after you jump started it?

[racingnut10]

Yes, after I jumped started the car it kept running. It can't be the battery or alternator. I took both to O'Reilly and the battery was charged at 95% and they tested the alternator and it was working fine. I changed the starter last week.
After I try to crank up the car, everything (headlights, int. lights) dies. Then I disconnect, then reconnect the battery. I get power to headlights and int. lights until I try to crank it again and everthing dies.

[GScivic7]

that really sounds like a battery problem to me. Just because a battery will charge doesn't mean that it's able to hold the amps.

[snowman2005]

Originally Posted by GScivic7

that really sounds like a battery problem to me. Just because a battery will charge doesn't mean that it's able to hold the amps.

it really sounds like the battery. try a friends battery and see waht it does.

[racingnut10]

GScivic and snowman2005. Thanks for quick replies, the person who started this thread was a friend of mine on my account, and she really appreciated the help. I couldn't write because I was at work.

Now down to business. Like we said earlier, I'm pretty sure that the problem is not with the starter(new and tested), battery (new and tested), or the alternator (original and tested). What is so strange about everything is the fact that the works perfectly fine -full power to everything- until you try to turn it over. Then just as soon as the starter solenoid engages, no power to anything. and the only way you can bring the car back to life (though without starting ability) is a battery disconnect/reconnect. Jump starting won't work, however jump clutching will. When I go back to her place tomorrow, I'm going to try to rule out the ignition switch. I'm also going to look into the Main Relay Harness as someone told me in another thread.

Any more ideas out there?

[GScivic7]

so you can push start it, and when you crank it the solenoid pops out of the starter but everything dies after that. Sounds like a short somewhere then.

[racingnut10]

Yeah, I think so too. I searched "main relay" and found some pretty good leads to investigate, and I'm dusting of my Haynes repair manual to research it some more.

[racingnut10]

The more I read about the main relay, the more I don't tink it's the problem. Im most old threads about main relays, it is being described as a relay to turn on the fuel pump, and fuel isn't a problem. If that is in fact the purpose of the main relay, then I should have a starter that will engage and turn but a car that won't start or run after jump clutching. This is just a hypothesis.

I think the key to solving this problem is figuring out all the components or problems in the car that can completely kill ALL power to the car yet can be reset just with a disconnect/reconnect.

[bingisSD]

well last week i had the exact same problem on my hatchback, and it was my battery, i was miffed. I did some voltage tests (14.9volts with car on) and 9.2volts and dropping with the car off and key out of the ignition. with the key in the ignition the voltage dropped to an astonishing 8.5volts. I recieved a jumpstart and went to my local auto parts store and had them run an 'alternator test' and they told my cheap ass to buy a new battery ecause it had bad cells. i havent had to get a jump start yet. I doubt you have a faulty relay. "...all things the same, the easiest solution is usually true..." - unknown
at least try p utting a different battery in youre car and making sure it is grounded and charged properly, reset the computer, and start from scratch again.

[racingnut10]

Yeah, I plan to swap my battery out for hers later today to check that out.

[Walker S-10]

ok try this take a test light and on your starter there will be two wires one is your main power wire and the other is your start wire ( we will say) unplug that wire check it for bad connection then take your test light put it between your starter and the wire get someone to try and start it if the light comes on then you got starter problem if the light doesn't come one then you have problems in the wiring of the car

[Walker S-10]

check for a bad ground on the car some where to