Honda Civic - best and worst case scenereo?

[thenifell]

My Civic is broken down, and I'd like to get an idea of what *could* be wrong with it to decrease the likelyhood I'll get ripped off.



The car won't start - it does not even attempt to turn over; just clicks when I turn the key. The check-engine light is not on, the oil has recently been changed, I had a tune-up and got a new battery about a year ago.

The only thing wrong with it was the exhaust - it had started running loud about 80 miles ago (probably less).



Can you give me a best and worst case scenero for what could be wrong?

[nbr660]

Sounds like the battery isn't holding a charge or isn't getting a charge. So I kinda think it could be either a bad battery or bad alternator or both. I believe it will be under $150.00

[Trixie]

If you're getting a clicking then the car is getting power.  So I don't think it's the battery or alternator.  More than likely it is your starter solenoid.  When they go bad all you hear is a clicking.  The solenoid won't engage the starter.  Worst case scenario I believe would be to replace the whole starter versus just the solenoid.  



As far as your exhaust, I would get it into a muffler shop.  They will repair it alot cheaper then what a dealership and auto shop would as this is their specialty.  I would figure the cost to be around 80 to 100 hundred bucks.  I will tell you that this will be money well spent as running with a loud broken exhaust will suck your gas down the drain.  And at almost $4.00 a gallon, excessive fuel used will add up quickly.

[joseo]

If you have someone jump-start your car battery or recharge your battery to full capacity and still only get clicks after turning the ignition key, then your starter may be faulty.



A new starter can cost you $130 from you local auto parts store.  It's very simple to replace.  All you need is to disconnect your battery, disconnect the 2 wires off the starter, and remove the two bolts that hold the starter against the transmission.  You'll have to remove your air intake pipe in order to get better access to the starter underneath.



Before buying a new starter, you can also test your starter after removing it from your transmission.  Check this out:



http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2632758778132843605&q=honda+civic+starter&total=5&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0



Good luck!