# 98 Civic electrical problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** honda\ **Created:** [November 17, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021 "2018-11-17T15:34:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/1 "2018-11-17T15:34:31Z")
Greetings, I have a 98 Civic manual transmission that won’t start. I turn the key, all lights come on and won’t dim, but the connection doesn’t seem to touch the starter. I hear a click, but nothing. I know the battery is good, as well as the starter. I know these cars come with a clutch safety switch, and that is brand new. I also redirected the negative on the starter, since that has given me issues in the past. I’m at a loss at what else may be a problem. All fuses are good also. Please help! ---
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/2 "2018-11-17T15:36:43Z")
Also, when push starting, it fires right up. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/3 "2018-11-17T15:53:05Z")
> [@echester55\_144678](#): > > brand new It may be defective, or installed wrong. Try shorting it out. “redirected the negative on the starter” ? what does this mean. It seems you are not getting power to your starter. If the above are not the problem, I’d check the battery and ground connections for corrosion. ---
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/4 "2018-11-17T15:56:59Z")
All of that is fine, just looked again this morning. the starter was installed correctly, since it has worked right. I bought it a few months ago, it worked until the last time I drove it, when I got to my destination, then tried to start again, it wouldn’t. Battery connections are right, no corrosion. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/5 "2018-11-17T16:02:15Z")
> [@echester55\_144678](#): > > Battery connections are right, no corrosion did you remove the connections and check the mating surfaces? If you have a voltmeter, you can easily trace where you are losing the power. Start with 12 volts at the battery, you should have \>10 volts at both starter terminals, when attempting to start. If not, trace back the one that is low. ---
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/6 "2018-11-17T16:04:57Z")
I don’t have a voltmeter, and yes, I pulled the connections. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/7 "2018-11-17T16:32:59Z")
Consider a faulty clutch safety switch or possible the electrical part of the ignition switch. ---
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/8 "2018-11-17T16:35:44Z")
It’s new, but how would I check it? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/9 "2018-11-17T17:26:20Z")
Try replacing the Starter Cut Relay located under the dash. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/4/412155795edeb31eb760077742df644ec4de512c.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![echester55\_144678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9a140/32.png) [@echester55\_144678](https://community.cartalk.com/u/echester55_144678)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/10 "2018-11-17T20:52:02Z")
Tester, that didn’t help either. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/11 "2018-11-17T21:06:40Z")
Can you figure out if the starter solenoid is getting 12V when you turn the key to Start? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-electrical-problem/129021/12 "2018-11-17T21:09:47Z")
Okay, Check fuse #31, 7.5 amp, Starter Signal, in the fuse box where integrated control unit is located to see if it’s blown. Tester