Civic 1991 starting problem, please look

[Wojteko]

Hello,

I'm posting this message for a friend.


One day his car stopped working. It was last week when it was -35 deg cel. something outside. Few days later he boosted the battery with his appt. maintenance guy. His car didnt start still. There was something turning but it woulent start. The guy advised to get a new battery. So he did and today put it in. Same thing. radio works, lights works, but it's only the alternator turning. What could be the problem?

His engine was also low on oil, almost none, so he poured some in thinking it could solve, but it didnt.

Thanks

[maxassassin]

ok u got a few things that could happen first the pistons with out oil coudlve welded themselves to the head wall. very unlikey but it happens. 2 yoru starter is fried and its like 75 or 80 to get a new one becuase thats how the engine starts is it gives juice to the starter which begings movement of your engine internals. after the spark ignites inside the chamber it starts up. but if yoru starter is siezed up then it wont start. hope it helps

[Wojteko]

The starter spins, like when he turns the key. Spins while shaking but the engine dosnt do nothing.

The engine disnt run out of oil. It was just low on it.

He'd take it to the garage but cant start, so cant go anywhee eh? heh

How do I check for sparks?
I'v tried removing the sparkplugs and looking for a spark on the removeable thing or inside the thing in the engine where it goes but no spark can be seen.

I'v tried that on my hyundai too but didnt see any spark either and mine works fine, so I guess I checked the wrong thing.

Any ideas?

[Wojteko]

Bump, sorry

I'v gotten the good technique to check sparks now.

We'll try on his civic soon.
If no sparks
could it be only the spark cables beeing dead?

also:

a quick trick to check to see if your alternator is bad is to temporarily remove the negative battery cable...if the car dies then ur alternator has crapped the bed.
(i know some people are gonna flame me on this...but it hasn't caused me any problems yet)

Is there any variant of that, but that will work without the car started? in his scenario?