"Pg2006" <none@000.com> wrote in message
news:986504_4c6ecd3d843c7dd57491b1b85fccac0c@autob oardz.com...
>I own a 91 Accord, 120K miles. About an hour ago, when I tried to
> start the car, nothing happened. I mean, nothing at all. The engine
> wouldn't even crank when I turn the key. The headlights don't turn on,
> and the horn doesn't work either. Needless to say, upon inserting the
> key into the ignition, the automatic seat-belts don't move, and no
> lights on the dash board turn on.
>
> This is very strange, since in the morning everything was fine. The
> car ran as usual, I even had blown the horn at someone .... Out of the
> blue, the car is dead. My first thought was that someone stole my
> battery. But the battery is there.
>
> Do you think the battery could be dead ? This would be extremely
> strange, since there was no hint of that. There is some corrosion at
> the battery terminals (I thought the mechanic would have cleant those
> when I changed oil 3 months ago). Or could some electrical connection
> be disconnected ? Is it a good idea to try getting a jump-start when
> the car seems completely dead ?I mean, its not like the engine is
> trying to crank and then misfire. The car seems completely dead.
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
>
I'm thinking of a gummed-up solenoid in the starter (given the age of the
car, and the weather is likely still chilly where you are.) The time-honored
first aid for that is to whack the starter a few times with a hammer. No
kidding! but I prefer a plastic mallet, myself. If no-go, try a few more
times, then look elsewhere. My second thought is for the neutral safety
switch if you have an automatic transmission. Same sort of first aid (no -
not the hammer!); cycle the shift lever a few times and also try starting in
neutral. If a stick, the same would apply to the clutch safety switch but
that has already been exercised when you tried to start it.

If the easy things don't work it's time to do some real troubleshooting. If
one of those does work, be sure to fix the problem. Both of those get worse.

Mike