Honda Car Forum

Hi, my 1997 Honda Civic is in the parking lot at work right now and
won't start. Here are the problems:

1) Ignition won't start at all when I turn the key. When I first tried
this a couple hours ago, I heard no noise when I turned the key, just
now when I tried it you sometimes hear it catch for maybe a split
second (maybe .25 second) and then it dies down

2) the lights and CD player/radio INSIDE the car work fine when I turn
the key

3) However, when I press the hazard light button or turn the outside
head lights on, neither of those lights work. Also when I turn these
on, the light inside the car and CD player/radio go off when either of
these turn on

4) There is a weird buzzing sound when I press the hazard light button
that goes when I press the hazard light button again.

Does anyone have a clue as to what the problem may be? I was doing
95-100 on the highway when I came in today from work (haven't sped that
fast in at least a few months, probably well over a year). Also, it is
very hot where I am locate (D.C. area) and I do know that my timing
belts are overdue for being replaced (had scheduled an appointment for
a couple weeks from now). Would any of this have to do with the
problems I am having? Any help is appreciated...

Julie

wardnine@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> Hi, my 1997 Honda Civic is in the parking lot at work right now and
> won't start. Here are the problems:
>
> 1) Ignition won't start at all when I turn the key. When I first tried
> this a couple hours ago, I heard no noise when I turned the key, just
> now when I tried it you sometimes hear it catch for maybe a split
> second (maybe .25 second) and then it dies down
>
> 2) the lights and CD player/radio INSIDE the car work fine when I turn
> the key
>
> 3) However, when I press the hazard light button or turn the outside
> head lights on, neither of those lights work. Also when I turn these
> on, the light inside the car and CD player/radio go off when either of
> these turn on
>
> 4) There is a weird buzzing sound when I press the hazard light button
> that goes when I press the hazard light button again.
>
> Does anyone have a clue as to what the problem may be? I was doing
> 95-100 on the highway when I came in today from work (haven't sped that
> fast in at least a few months, probably well over a year). Also, it is
> very hot where I am locate (D.C. area) and I do know that my timing
> belts are overdue for being replaced (had scheduled an appointment for
> a couple weeks from now). Would any of this have to do with the
> problems I am having? Any help is appreciated...
>
> Julie

-------------------------------------

Your battery terminals sound loose or corroded, since they won't handle
any amount of current, but make sure to check the OTHER ENDS of the
wires (especially the ground) to be sure they aren't loose or rusted
too.

Snugging up the terminals or boosting the car will probably start it. If
you can't get a pair of booster cables and if it's got a manual tranny,
just walk-start it. Key all the way to position III, push it walking
speed (two helpers) push in clutch, put in second gear, pop clutch for
1/2 second, engine starts.
--

'Curly'

Probably one of the cells in your battery died. There is enough current to
light the low power things, but not enough to start the engine or light the
headlights. I'll bet if you leave the radio on for a while or turn it up,
it will die as well. You need a battery.

On 8/4/06 2:51 PM, in article
1154721072.604406.275270@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups. com,
"wardnine@hotmail.com" <wardnine@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hi, my 1997 Honda Civic is in the parking lot at work right now and
> won't start. Here are the problems:
>
> 1) Ignition won't start at all when I turn the key. When I first tried
> this a couple hours ago, I heard no noise when I turned the key, just
> now when I tried it you sometimes hear it catch for maybe a split
> second (maybe .25 second) and then it dies down
>
> 2) the lights and CD player/radio INSIDE the car work fine when I turn
> the key
>
> 3) However, when I press the hazard light button or turn the outside
> head lights on, neither of those lights work. Also when I turn these
> on, the light inside the car and CD player/radio go off when either of
> these turn on
>
> 4) There is a weird buzzing sound when I press the hazard light button
> that goes when I press the hazard light button again.
>
> Does anyone have a clue as to what the problem may be? I was doing
> 95-100 on the highway when I came in today from work (haven't sped that
> fast in at least a few months, probably well over a year). Also, it is
> very hot where I am locate (D.C. area) and I do know that my timing
> belts are overdue for being replaced (had scheduled an appointment for
> a couple weeks from now). Would any of this have to do with the
> problems I am having? Any help is appreciated...
>
> Julie
>

wardnine@hotmail.com wrote:
> Hi, my 1997 Honda Civic is in the parking lot at work right now and
> won't start. Here are the problems:

Was the ignition switch replaced in this Honda?

It's a safety recall item. Free repair.