89 Civic won't start
 

Yesterday my daughter's '89 Civic displayed the "Battery" warning light
while she was driving. This morning the "Check Engine" light is on along
with the battery light and the car won't start. It turned over okay for
awhile, but she managed to run the battery down. She lives 70 miles from
me so when I go up there tonight I would like to have some idea about what
the problem is. She has no battery charger so I'll have to take my charger
along and see if the battery will take a charge.

Will the "Check Engine" light even go out if the engine is cranking over
but won't start.

Will a low battery cause the "Check Engine" light to come on?

This car usually starts very easily.

Is there a way to test the computer in the driveway to see if it is bad?

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I can tell you, I will never let my daughter drive a car that old. For me,
it's ok, I can manage to do something but not my daughter. I don't want to
think she's on the middle of nowhere with the car breakdown.


"Allen" <weald@att.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93EA5361C933Dwealdattnet@204.127.36.1...
> Yesterday my daughter's '89 Civic displayed the "Battery" warning light
> while she was driving. This morning the "Check Engine" light is on along
> with the battery light and the car won't start. It turned over okay for
> awhile, but she managed to run the battery down. She lives 70 miles from
> me so when I go up there tonight I would like to have some idea about what
> the problem is. She has no battery charger so I'll have to take my
charger
> along and see if the battery will take a charge.
>
> Will the "Check Engine" light even go out if the engine is cranking over
> but won't start.
>
> Will a low battery cause the "Check Engine" light to come on?
>
> This car usually starts very easily.
>
> Is there a way to test the computer in the driveway to see if it is bad?
>
> Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I can tell you, I will never let my daughter drive a car that old. For me,
it's ok, I can manage to do something but not my daughter. I don't want to
think she's on the middle of nowhere with the car breakdown.


"Allen" <weald@att.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93EA5361C933Dwealdattnet@204.127.36.1...
> Yesterday my daughter's '89 Civic displayed the "Battery" warning light
> while she was driving. This morning the "Check Engine" light is on along
> with the battery light and the car won't start. It turned over okay for
> awhile, but she managed to run the battery down. She lives 70 miles from
> me so when I go up there tonight I would like to have some idea about what
> the problem is. She has no battery charger so I'll have to take my
charger
> along and see if the battery will take a charge.
>
> Will the "Check Engine" light even go out if the engine is cranking over
> but won't start.
>
> Will a low battery cause the "Check Engine" light to come on?
>
> This car usually starts very easily.
>
> Is there a way to test the computer in the driveway to see if it is bad?
>
> Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!

If there is anyone out there that is not so eager to judge and might have
some actual help, please reply!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!

If there is anyone out there that is not so eager to judge and might have
some actual help, please reply!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

If the battery is old (4 or 5 years) plan a new one. The battery
terminals may just be dirty. May need a new alternator. Take it to one
of the auto parts stores that check them out for free.
Good Luck! bob

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

If the battery is old (4 or 5 years) plan a new one. The battery
terminals may just be dirty. May need a new alternator. Take it to one
of the auto parts stores that check them out for free.
Good Luck! bob

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I apologize, I didn't want to offend you

"Allen" <weald@att.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93EA659A449E6wealdattnet@204.127.36.1...
> Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
> is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!
>
> If there is anyone out there that is not so eager to judge and might have
> some actual help, please reply!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I apologize, I didn't want to offend you

"Allen" <weald@att.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93EA659A449E6wealdattnet@204.127.36.1...
> Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
> is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!
>
> If there is anyone out there that is not so eager to judge and might have
> some actual help, please reply!

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I'll second the guess on the alternator. Often when the Check Battery light
comes on it's the alternator. It may be the brushes in the alternator that
went bad. I've had a few that went bad on me and the first sign of trouble
was the battery light. You may also want to check and make sure all of the
belts are on and tight.

Has the alternator or battery ever been replaced?
The "Check Engine" she is referring to may just be coming on when the key is
turned to the "accessory" position, along with the other dash lights.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck!
-Dave


"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3F54B086.FFCE0FA6@neo.rr.com...
> If the battery is old (4 or 5 years) plan a new one. The battery
> terminals may just be dirty. May need a new alternator. Take it to one
> of the auto parts stores that check them out for free.
> Good Luck! bob

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

I'll second the guess on the alternator. Often when the Check Battery light
comes on it's the alternator. It may be the brushes in the alternator that
went bad. I've had a few that went bad on me and the first sign of trouble
was the battery light. You may also want to check and make sure all of the
belts are on and tight.

Has the alternator or battery ever been replaced?
The "Check Engine" she is referring to may just be coming on when the key is
turned to the "accessory" position, along with the other dash lights.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck!
-Dave


"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3F54B086.FFCE0FA6@neo.rr.com...
> If the battery is old (4 or 5 years) plan a new one. The battery
> terminals may just be dirty. May need a new alternator. Take it to one
> of the auto parts stores that check them out for free.
> Good Luck! bob

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

>

Thanks to Dave and bob for your help. The problem did turn out to be the
alternator. It was not generating enough energy to support lights, fans,
etc. while at the same time charging the battery. The oriiginal alternator
was replaced a couple of years ago with a Bosch brand, and the battery was
replaced along the same time frame.

Thanks again for your help!

Allen

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

>

Thanks to Dave and bob for your help. The problem did turn out to be the
alternator. It was not generating enough energy to support lights, fans,
etc. while at the same time charging the battery. The oriiginal alternator
was replaced a couple of years ago with a Bosch brand, and the battery was
replaced along the same time frame.

Thanks again for your help!

Allen

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

On Tue, 02 Sep 2003 14:49:26 GMT, Allen <weald@att.net> scribbled:

>Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
>is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!

Hi, I personlly don't think a car made in 1989 is old. I have an 89
Galant, and an 86 Sigma. Both are very reliable.

--
Phillip Weston
Taumarunui, New Zealand

Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail.

Re: 89 Civic won't start
 

On Tue, 02 Sep 2003 14:49:26 GMT, Allen <weald@att.net> scribbled:

>Give me a break! You know nothing about our personal situation or why she
>is driving such an old car so your criticism is not welcome!

Hi, I personlly don't think a car made in 1989 is old. I have an 89
Galant, and an 86 Sigma. Both are very reliable.

--
Phillip Weston
Taumarunui, New Zealand

Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail.