92 Prelude S won't crank over. Video included.

[Macaqueistrong]

I had a few issues before with the car not turning on. It would crank over but wouldn't start, I would wait a few minutes and try again and it would start.

After searching the forums I found out it was most likely the main relay so I ordered a new main relay from Majestic Honda. Before I could even install the relay the car began to have issues starting, all the cabin lights come on, the fuel pump primes, battery is charged and all the wiring and fuses have been checked and all look good, but when I turn the key to the start position it just makes a loud tick sound. No repeated cranking or any other noises, just one loud tick. When that happens all the interior lights turn off and the car seems to have no power, I have to go remove the negative from the battery and install it again just to get power.

I installed the new main relay today, and nothing has changed. The car still has the same symptoms. I rechecked all the wiring and fuses, battery is fully charged and all the grounds look good.

I have a video showing the loud tick sound that I get when I try to crank the motor. Any ideas or input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

['93CB7Ex]

sounds like the starter isnt getting enough power. how olds the battery? are the cables clean and tight? time to break out the DMM and start checking voltages.

[Macaqueistrong]

My battery cables don't tighten very much at all. The metal is so soft that the square screw head and nut just ate into the metal and doesn't allow the clamp to get very tight around the post.

Thing is that they have always been that way and the car had no problem starting up before, either way though it is good measure to try it out so I just ordered some new oem honda cables. Either way I needed new ones so it doesn't hurt to try.

['93CB7Ex]

it just makes that sound where the power isnt there. you adjust the cables and it starts lol.

[Macaqueistrong]

Yeah but when I adjust my cables it doesn't start. It just does that one loud tick and then nothing.

['93CB7Ex]

Get the battery checked

[Macaqueistrong]

I'll do that. I did hook up my battery charger and tried to jump it and it still doesn't want to crank over.

['93CB7Ex]

get the starter tested too

[Stoner51]

I had this problem once. It was the actual terminals that tighten to the battery.
Just out of the blue it wouldn't work. Then I would look under the hood touch the cables(sort of like kicking tires). Go back in and it would start. Finally I figured that the terminal wouldn't get tight enough.

steve

Mine would go months and be fine then just randomly not start. Pissed me off

[Sordz]

Just go to the parts store and buy some battery terminals, there like $3 or $4.

[red07frontier]

Starter is shot, it's drawing too many amps and that's why it clicks once then no power. Test the starter and test the battery while your at it.
I had a cb at the shop that did that same thing.

[Macaqueistrong]

Tested the starter and the battery at a local reputable shop and they both worked. The guy did say that the starter still could be the problem because it spins freely without any load but in the car it may not have enough power to start the motor under load. Makes sense, but does it seem like legitimate reasoning to you guys?