No Start situation

[Shrewz92]

91 Accord, auto trans, f22A4 engine

I spent 45 mins wiping down major engine components to take off some grime and make it look a bit more presentable. I attempted to start car to use a 12V air compressor after I plugged the compressor into the lighter socket. Car didn't start. Went back over my 'tracks' to see if I dislodged any connections. When key is turned to 'on' position, idiot lights come on, albeit dimly, fuel pump energizes. Turning key to 'start' position kills all the idiot lights, but does NOT spin the starter. Releasing key to 'on' position re-turns all the idiot lights. Foot on brake DOES NOT cause the shift-release solenoid to 'clack.' Pressed E-Flasher button: caused a 'buzzing' noise from under dash. Since the starter wasn't spinning, I pulled the single wire from the smaller barrel of the starter (solenoid?), cleaned it and replaced it. Tried to start it and got a 'bzzzzz' from starter that time. I'm taking battery to Advance Auto Parts, from which I bought it, to see if it's low, has a dead cell or maybe I've knocked a connection in my 18 year old wiring in the engine and pulled something loose that just isn't obvious. Any one have any ideas where to go? I noticed that sometimes when I put the key in, the idiot lights would be bright, other times, dim. Hmmm...anyone have any idea? Thnx.

[mpumas]

You probably have a bad battery connection or a bad battery. Check the terminal connections. At times like this, a cheap voltmeter/multimeter can tell you a lot. I bet if you put the meter on the terminals when you try to start the car, the voltage will go down to under 7 volts or lower. Get back to us with what you find.

[Shrewz92]

Was the battery. I took the battery to Advance Auto Parts and they put it in their tester. Read as 'defective.' Luckily it was within replacement time-frame: they replaced the battery @ no charge. Assistant said that it could have been a plate in there that had come loose from heating/cooling:expansion/contraction:vibration enough to allow a plate to shift and slip against another causing a short and reducing the life of the battery. It's just odd that it happened so quickly. Just never know. Thanks mpumas for the assist.