Immobiliser warning light flashing.

[andrew]

Just to let you know I drive a 2001 Honda Civic 1.6 petrol SE Executive. It has a new battery, pre-owned starter and all new earth straps. I went to get into the car when I attempted to use the remote central locking to open the doors. I heard like what sounded like an attempt to unlock the doors but not the unmistakable sound off doors unlocking. Then when I used the key to unlock the door the car would not start, no start no crank. The dashboard lights were flickeringvery faint and a rapid clicking noise could be heard. I got someone’s help to push the car back in an attempt to try a jump start thinking it was a flat battery when touching the brakes I seen the brake lights where shining clear as day, one turn of the key in the ignition and the engine starts no problem. I turn on the headlights and they too are shining bright, no issues at all. However, whilst driving home I hear the whining noise off what sounds like a stuck starter motor. Then the immobiliser warning light comes on and the fuel gauge starts saying my tank is empty. I drive for another 3 miles to my destination and when turning into the drive it was like the electronic steering failed as I could not steer without the wheel bouncing back at certain points. So I turn off the engine, and turn it right back on, no problem starting and no warning lights, I have since driving a full day, I even took out the starter and checked the connections. The battery is healthy and I am getting volts to the starter which may be sticking but to cause the issues above seems very unlikely. Could a connection issue however be causing other components to fail? Like the car no longer recognizer the key and no power to the fuel gauge then finally the electric power steering stopping.

Topic

[dan]

well the first thing i would do is see if there are any codes, i would also check the voltage of the alternator should be between 13.5-14.5V with car running all acessories on full blast high beams, blower motor, AC the like.

is the battery getting 12.6V and doesn’t drop below 9.6V during starting?

[dan]

check this out also.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems

[Lorrin Barth]

I’d suggest part of your vehicle lost power. The clicking would be a relay.

[andrew]

I have checked the battery power when engine is off, reading was 12.6. I turned the engine on and seen 14.67V with the engine running. I turned everything in the car on electrically and increased the revs to 2000rpm and the reading on the battery was 14.43V. I checked for resitance in the circuits between the alternator and starter and earth straps and all readings were 0V. I was wondering if a starter motor stays engaged would it still be using power, thus taking power away from other components. I noticed that when I couldn’t start the car described in my original post the negatime terminal of the battery was hot, I thought this was a sign of resistance in the circuit. However the car had been sitting for more than 4 hours off. I’m considering taking it to an auto-electrician but I want to eliminate what I can to save on labour charges or potentially replacing the wrong part.

[college man]

It sounds like your key is not being recognized or the immobilizer
is having an issue. Try another factory key.

http://www.justanswer.com/honda/0zeve-2001-honda-civic-green-key-light-keeps-blinking-do.html

[Author]

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