car giving me problems

[BLU CIVIC]

alright here's the senerio...

it will not start after being driven for a long distance. i thought it was the distributor and went ahead and replaced it since it needed to be done anyways, but that didn't seem to fix the problem. recently happened today, drove car to a friends house and went to start it and nothing...turn the key and get nothing...power comes on but nothing happens when i turn the key. i waited an hour and it started, which is what i usually have to do...could it be the starter?

[readallen]

ignition switch or starter solenoid, most likely starter safety switch

[FrodoGT]

There are 3 things it could be. I would check the simplest first..as it has happened to BOTH of my civic and probably everyone at one point. Also it the reason I got my car for 350 :P. The starter safety switch on the clutch. Youll find it up under the dash. push it in and try to start it. Other than that, its either the ignition switch, starter relay, or starter itself if all the wires check out. Those are the ONLY parts in the circuit. If it was a fuse it wouldnt start ever.

[Christ]

I'd say safety switch as well... possibly solenoid.

If it's the switch, you can remove it easily... I assume this is why my LX didn't have one in it when I bought it.. b/c it probably wore out or wasn't adjusted, and someone took it out.

[BLU CIVIC]

I'll check those...should i check it when it won't start?

[Christ]

Basically, if it doesn't start, try reaching under the dash and pushing that switch back with your finger before you start it... if that doesn't work, pull the wires and install a jumper between them, and if it starts, the switch is bad... same process for the other stuff.

You can get your solenoid tested by pulling the starter and running to AutoZone... they'll check it for free.

[BLU CIVIC]

i tried to find the switch yesterday when i waas stuck at autozone...i'm going to have to buy a manual

[Tony]

Its right above your hood release, not up there like the main relay is.

[BLU CIVIC]

ok i'll take a look today

[FrodoGT]

Well the switch is actually at the top of the clutch pedal up by the cable linkage. the relay is directly behind the hood latch.

[Tony]

Oops, yea, Frodo is right. Switch is at the pedal, relay is above the latch.

[Christ]

easiest way to find it is to follow the clutch pedal arm all the way up to the pivot joint, and it will be behind the pedal in the back above the pivot joint.

Should be a white thing w/ a "normally open" circuit momentary contact switch.