Need *Fast* Answer re: Elec./Start in '98 Civic

How many miles are on this car?

Do the owners have a maintenance record showing when oil changes, timing belt changes, etc. were done?

Given it's current intermittent start condition, I would definitely not only test drive it myself extensively, but I also would pay a mechanic to check it out. The problem may indeed be minor. 1990s Hondas do have a number of minor peculiarities (costing around $300 and downwards, /once/ the problem is nailed) that can be behind simple no start conditions that at first are very frustrating for the owner. If you buy this car, you should prepare for another, say, as much as $1000 worth of aggravation to fix the intermittent start condition.

For more tips on buying a used Honda, see

. Lastly, do not fall in love with this car. It may have major problems. As you check this car out, keep your eyes peeled for other used cars for sale.

"TruantSpirit" wrote

"TruantSpirit" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@d34g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

Not a "short";those usually blow fuses or start fires.

The start problem might be just a main relay needing replacement or resoldering.(if that's in your skillset) see.www.tegger.com It happens more on hot days,and after ~15min.,the car cools and it starts and runs fine after that.

If it doesn't always crank,it may be a bad starter solenoid or worn solenoid contacts. Or it could be a worn ignition switch. (having a lot of stuff on your keyring can wear out a ign.switch faster than normal)

How old is the battery? About 4-5 yrs is what they last,less in hot climates.

Mileage on the car is important;"average" is 15,000 mi per year.If the mileage is much greater than the ~120K mi. it should be,then the price should be lower.

The age of the car is at the point where repairs will be more and more necessary,as seals and contacts wear out,plastic gets brittle,and so on.

Guess I would be wondering just how my other items "they have never gotten around to" like proper maintenance. Have you considered going to a Honda Dealer to see what they have in their warranted used cars on the lot?

D> I'm a soon-to-be single mom buying a used car on her own for the first

Yeah, it's pretty hard to give any kind of diagnosis here from the description, "sometimes won't start". Does that mean, it won't even crank over? Cranks but doesn't fire? Cranks and fires, but doesn't catch and run? Each of these could be an indicator for at least two to three particular problems, maybe more - a list of simply things that will prevent it from starting could be long indeed.

If it will always start when jumped, I would first suspect the battery, which is an easy and relatively inexpensive fix (replace it, for probably

Matt Ion wrote in news:f5HMg.525008$iF6.17901@pd7tw2no:

I'm reminded of my 94 Integra's intermittent refusal to crank;I thought it was the battery,so I replaced that,still same problem.I thought I had to replace the whole starter,as the solenoid was not a separately replaceable unit.Some Honda/Acura starters have a replaceable solenoid,the Nippondenso's do not.Then I found a site that sold a solenoid contact & plunger replacement kit;$30 ppd.,and that solved the problem.

Yeah,ditto.