Wont start/turn over clicks when turn key/battery good

SOURCE: 1996 honda civic wont start

Hi Meadors,

The clicking sound you heard most likely the starter solenoid engaging the starter. Only in this case it's failing to engage the starter. This is a classic symptom of a low battery. Here's why.

In a perfect world, when you turn the key to start:

1. the solenoid is fed 12VDC which engages an electromagnetic coil inside it.
2. A spring loaded steel piston inside this coil reacts to the magnetic field. It is pulled against the spring. By itself this sounds like a loud decisive CLICK.
   
3. The movement of the piston simultaneously pushes the starter gear into the flywheel and sends power to the starter via heavy duty contacts. The starter draws a lot of power.
4. The starter spins, turns the engine, the engine starts, life is good.
5. When the key is released, the solenoid disengages, the spring pushes the piston back, the starter gear disengages from the flywheel.
   

1. The solenoid which draws it's share of power engages as before. Click.
   
2. As the starter tries to spin, the power available is insufficient. It draws all remaining power, there isn't enough left to keep the solenoid active and it turns off.
3. Since the starter isn't drawing power anymore, the solenoid re-engages and the cycle starts over. Click.
4. The cycle repeats. Click. A series of rapid clicks. Same page?
   

• Check belts, specifically on the alternator.
• Terminal connections clean and tight.
• In the 'Let's not over look the obvious' department: Battery voltage?
• Get a jump. Try a jump start.
• If a jump gets you going, it is either the battery not holding a charge or the alternator not providing one.
  

SOURCE: 98 accord wont start. lights flicker in dash and engine wont turn over

Have the battery checked.  You may have heard a fast clicking sound when the lights were flickering, if so it's coming from the starter solenoid.  If the battery is bad, have the voltage regulator and alternator checked also.  A bad voltage regulator or alternator will kill the new battery.    

Try starting with jumper cables, if that works, you can pull the battery out, take it to a auto parts store that will test it for free (most parts stores will do this).  If it's bad, you can put a new battery in and then drive straight to somewhere to have the charging system tested.  

SOURCE: 98 Honda Accord Wont Start

either have a shop scan it for trouble codes or buy a scanner your self at local parts store have OBDII scanner and find out for your self it could be a number of things.

SOURCE: left key in ignition overnight, now car wont start

I have a 2005 honda odessey. I left the key in the ignition in the on position. The battery is dead. Do I have to recharge or will it recharge over night?

SOURCE: Engine won't start. Dash lights flash rapidly when key turned.

the battery says 12 volts but may be dropping to 4 or 5 under a load...i would suggest jumpstarting the car and see what happens.the battery should read in the high 12 volts and not less than 9.5 under cranking. the dash lights go out on your car when starting,and the alarm will go off ,and disable the ignition if the voltage is too low in cranking the car because the computer will shut it down and activate the anti theft.....check your battery posts are tight. best of luck