96 Honda Wagon won't start

Asked by LiLiIrduu Oct 23, 2016 at 03:43 PM about the 1996 Honda Accord EX Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Friday I started up my car and it had a high
pitched squeal before starting, but once it did, I
drove to work without incident. When I went to
start it back up again that afternoon, there was
a single click as I turned my key to the second
position and when I went to start it, everything
turned off. My husband was able to jump start
the battery and drive it home. The car had the
starter replaced a couple weeks ago, and
yesterday he replaced the alternator and
battery. After replacing the battery and
alternator, the car still will not start and is not
able to be jump-started either. When the key is
in the ignition the lights and radio come on but
when the key is turned nothing happens. It
doesn't shut off, but it doesn't start.

Please help me, this car is my baby and I can't
stand to think of selling it off for parts!

1 Answer

1,280

Ok first check starter connections . There is a single ignition wire coming from the starter relay that get oil, dirt or corrosion that will cause a non start situation. Also double check that the main battery cable to the starter is n ot touching the starter body ,solinoid or potentially a bracket. Etc. .now as mentioned there is also a starter relay it is located in the under the hood fuse box. Easiest way to diagnose at home is to locate the correct relay ( location is stated on the lid of the fuse box ) .remove the starter relay and swapnitnout with the horn relay or anither realy that looks identical .we don't mind if it doesn't start we just want to know if the starter engages ..I'd the starter engages swap the relays back to their original locations .and purchase a new relay for the starter . If per chance the horn relay is identical leave it in the starter relay location. A that way you can at least drive the car albeit wothout a horn till you replace that relay .hope that gets you going Good luck

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