92 Integra makes clicking noise but won't start

[Sean_K]

Hi,

I have a 92 Integra RS 5spd. Sometimes when I try starting my car, it will just make a clicking noise and won't start, and if I just try again or just let it sit and try again, it starts without any problems. However, this doesn't happen every day, for two days in a row i haven't had any problems but three days ago i had starting problems... someone suggested changing the main relay, so i have already changed the main relay.... but the problem is still there... since, this problem does not occur all the time, that's why its kind of hard to troubleshoot it... if someone out there is having the same problem or had the same problem and know the solution or possible cause,,,can you plz help me out with this.... plz email me at [email protected]
i will really appreciate all your help...

thanks in advance...

[knorwj]

maybe your keyswitch or starter is starting to go?.

[92acurapower]

i had a similar problem, it may not be the exact problem but you never know. my problem where the spark plugs. it could be your wires or plugs also since the fuel is entering the spark plug chamber they sometimes don't spark because of too much gas drowning the spark. i had to wait 10 minutes sometimes in order for the chamber to completely dry and allowing the spark to start my car. have you ever change your sparks if you haven't then it could be your sparks.

[Sean_K]

i have already checked out all the spark plugs, they look alright,,, also i have checked the condition of the spark plugs cable, they look in an alright shape too,,,but i cleaned all of them anyways.. also, i have opened up the distributor cap and have cleaned the four little contacts inside and also the rotor tip..... the key switch seems like working ok as well..... anyone knows what else the problem might be????? plz help!!! thanks in advance...

sean...

[RSX-S777]

Originally Posted by knorwj

maybe your keyswitch or starter is starting to go?.

I agree. Likely the case. Happened to me once with a Toyota pu...

[Sean_K]

Originally Posted by RSX-S777

I agree. Likely the case. Happened to me once with a Toyota pu...

well, lets say if it is the keyswitch or the starter,,, how do i test them out first???

[RSX-S777]

Just take it to a mechanic or someone who knows what they're doing and have them check the starter solenoid and the relay. Also, you may want to test your battery for good measure.

[Sean_K]

Originally Posted by RSX-S777

Just take it to a mechanic or someone who knows what they're doing and have them check the starter solenoid and the relay. Also, you may want to test your battery for good measure.

well, i have tested the battery, its in good condition, my ignition switch is good, and my main relay is new..... still got problems

[integralover]

i just fixed this same exact problem today. i had replaced my main relay thinking that was the problem, to no avail it wasn't. my car ran fine for a couple days after i changed the relay and then started back up. sometimes it would start and sometimes it wouldn't. clicking coming from the dash and from the engine. it turned out to be the selinoid on the starter. so i had to replace the starter. i found one at a up pull it junk yard for $20, the new ones are like $130, i think with the core. since i don't have $130 i went to the junk yard. but it sounds exactly like the same problem.

[gismo0184]

starter problem or you may need a new battery

[xtoyotacorex]

Originally Posted by Sean_K

Hi,

I have a 92 Integra RS 5spd. Sometimes when I try starting my car, it will just make a clicking noise and won't start, and if I just try again or just let it sit and try again, it starts without any problems. However, this doesn't happen every day, for two days in a row i haven't had any problems but three days ago i had starting problems... someone suggested changing the main relay, so i have already changed the main relay.... but the problem is still there... since, this problem does not occur all the time, that's why its kind of hard to troubleshoot it... if someone out there is having the same problem or had the same problem and know the solution or possible cause,,,can you plz help me out with this.... plz email me at [email protected]
i will really appreciate all your help...

thanks in advance...

It's your starter solenoid most likely. Next time this happens, you can hook a cable from your +(positive) bat connection to your starter solenoid connections and try starting it. If it starts, it's your solenoid BE VERY CAREFULL If you do this, don't shock yourself, wear gloves and make sure the cable has strong plastic fitting.

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by xtoyotacorex

BE VERY CAREFULL If you do this, don't shock yourself, wear gloves and make sure the cable has strong plastic fitting.

shock yourself???? with a 12 volt car battery? good luck.... tell you what next time you pop your hood grab ahold of the positive and negative teminals and tell me how bad of a shock that 12 volts sends through you.

[Sean_K]

Originally Posted by integralover

i just fixed this same exact problem today. i had replaced my main relay thinking that was the problem, to no avail it wasn't. my car ran fine for a couple days after i changed the relay and then started back up. sometimes it would start and sometimes it wouldn't. clicking coming from the dash and from the engine. it turned out to be the selinoid on the starter. so i had to replace the starter. i found one at a up pull it junk yard for $20, the new ones are like $130, i think with the core. since i don't have $130 i went to the junk yard. but it sounds exactly like the same problem.

hi,
first of all it does sound like i got the exact same symptoms as "integralover" and ,,, i guess i agree with "integralover" and xtoyotacorex" that it might be the starter selonoid thats causing the problem.... however, today, i took out the starter off my car and open it up on the bench,,, i cleaned up the brushes, contacts, and i also opened up the seloniod and cleaned it up as well,,, i put it back together and reinstalled it back in the car,,, and lucky it started back fine,,, but the thing is that i have already mentioned that this starting problem does not happen every single time or every single day,,, it would happen a couple of days in a row and then disapear and then it will start happening again,,, so knowing that fact,,, i guess i am gonna have to wait a few days and see if it happens again or not,,, and if it does happen again,, i guess i am gonna have to change the solenoid...but i will keep everyone posted,, and if anyone has any more suggesstions plz let me know,,,,

also,,, Question: where am i supposed to hook up the battery's Positive to the starter solenoid in order to check if its my starter solenoid is going bad or not????? coz i thought that the battery's positive is alreay hooked up on the starter solenoid,,, and its grounded by the frame/engine block.... so plz let me know.....

and oh ya, about the "being careful" part when dealing with starter or any other electrical equipment... its not the voltage that can hurt u or kill u,,, its the current that can cause serious damage....even at 12V DC...

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by Sean_K

and oh ya, about the "being careful" part when dealing with starter or any other electrical equipment... its not the voltage that can hurt u or kill u,,, its the current that can cause serious damage....even at 12V DC...

Which is why I stated 12V CAR BATTERY which doesn't have enough voltage or current to hurt you. believe me you don't need linesmans gloves or heavily insulated tools to work on a car. the only time you could get a shock from a car is either
1: after you drive for awhile and get out there may be a static electricity charge.
2: if you screw around with ignition wires wile the car is running (voltage gets stepped up after ignition coil).

[xtoyotacorex]

Originally Posted by knorwj

shock yourself???? with a 12 volt car battery? good luck.... tell you what next time you pop your hood grab ahold of the positive and negative teminals and tell me how bad of a shock that 12 volts sends through you.

grabbing hold of the 2 terminals wont shock you, if you don't have insulated cables and try to connect the pos terminal and your solenoid, you will get shocked, why don't you try it and get back to me? It's alwayse a good precaution to warn people about possible hazards, if their highly feasable or not.