1997 HONDA CIVIC Start

lgnition Switch
4.
Test
SRS components are located in this area Review the
SRS component locations. precautions. and procedures
in the SRS section {24} before performing repairs or ser-
1. i/ake sure you have the anti-theft code for the
radio, then write down the frequencies for the
radio's preset buttons ('99 - 00 models).
2. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
3. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover and
knee bolster (see section 20).
Disconnect the 5P connector from the under dash
fuse/relay box and the 7P connector from the main
wire harness.
Check for continuity between the terminals in each
switch position according to the table.
I I :7P connector
Wire side ot female terminals
BLK/WHT {STIWHT IBAT}
7P CONNECTOR
WHT/BLK
YEL (IG2}BLK/YEL {IG1)
Wire side of female terminals
6. lf the continuity checks do not agree with the table,
replace the electrical switch.
Terminal
Position
1
(ACC)
(3)
(BAT)
5
{tG1) G2)
(1)
(sr)
o (LocK)
| (ACC)o--o
l (oN)o-o
III (START)o--o
1.
Electrical Switch RePlacement
SRS components are located in this area. Review the
SRS component locations, precautions, and procedures
in the SRS section \24) belore performing repairs or ser-
vtce.
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the
radio, then write down the frequencies for the
radio's preset buttons {'99 - 00 modelsl.
2. Disconnect the battery negatlve cable.
3. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover {see
section 20).
Disconnect the 5P connector from the under-dash
fuse/relay box and the 7P connector from the main
wire harness (see left column).
Remove the steering column covers {see section
11t.
lnsert the ignition key, and turn it to "0 {LOCK)".
Remove the two screws and the electrical switch
from the steering lock.
ELECTRICALswtTcH
8. Install in the reverse order of removal.
23-a9

Starting System
Component Location Index
A/T GEAR POSITION SW|TCHTest, page 23'154Replacement, page 23-155
STARTER CUT RELAY (M/T}
Test, page 23-86, 87
oo
ool
CLUTCH INTERLOCK
swlTcH
BATTERYTest, page 23-91
STARTERTest, page 23'95Solenoid Test, Page 23 96
Replacement, Page 23-100
Performance Test, Page 23-101
23-93

Starting System
Component Location lndex
GNIT ONSW TCH
t,U,-*€,-l
&T GEARPOSITION SWITCH(Cosed n posilion N or E)
ELKMHT
I
tl81X,4{HT BLKIWHT
STARTERCUT FELAY
STAPTER(Permaneit nragnel type)
N0 4l (80A) N0 42 (40A)
UNDEF.HOOO FUSEiFELAY BOX
-
__l
23-94

-Starter Test
NOTE; The air temoerature must be between 59 and
100'F (15 and 38"C) before testing.
Recommended Procedure:
. Use a staner system tester.
. Connect and operate the equipment in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
. Test and troubleshoot as described,
Alternate Procedurg:
. Use the following equipment:- Ammeter, 0 - 400 A
- Voltmeter, 0 - 20 V (accurate within 0.1 volt)
- Tachometer, 0 - 1,200 rpm
. Hook up a voltmeter and ammeter as shown.
NEGATIVETERMINAL
NOTE: After this test, or any subsequent repair. reset
the ECM/PCM to clear any codes (see section l1)
Check the Start€r Engagemont:
1. Remove the No. 44 (15 A) fuse from the under-hood
fuse/relay box,
2. Turn the ignition switch to START (llll with the shift
lever in E or E position (rVT) or with the clutch pedal
depressed {M/T). The starter should crank the engine.
. lf the starter does not crank the engine, go to
step 3.
. lf itcranksthe engineerraticallyortooslowly, go
to "Check for Wear and Damage" on the next
page.
Check the battery. battery positive cable, ground,
starter cut relay, and the wire connections for loose-
ness and corrosion, Test again.
lf the starter still does not crank the engine, go to
step 4,
Unplug the connector (BLK,/WHT wire and solenoid
terminal) from the starter,
Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive (+)
terminal to the solenoid terminal.
The starter should crank the engine.
. lf the starter still does not crank the engine,
remove it, and diagnose its internal problem
. lf the startercranksthe engine, goto step 6.
Check the ignition switch (see page 23-891.
Check the starter cut relay and clutch interlock switch
(see page 23-86,87).
Check the A/f gear position switch (see page 23-154).
Check for an open in the wire between the ignition
switch and starter.
7.
(cont'd)
23-95
9.

Starting System
Starter Test lcont'dl
Ch€ck tor Wear and Damage
The starter should crank the engine smoothly and
steadily, lf the starter engages. but cranks the engine
erratically, remove it, and inspect the starter drive gear
and torque converter or flywheel ring gear for damage.
. Check the drive gear overrunning clutch for binding
or slipping when the armature is rotated with the
drive gear held,- lf damaged. replace the gears.
Check Cranking Voltsge and Curr€nt Draw
Cranking voltage should be no less than 8.5 volts.
Current draw should be no more than 350 amperes.
lf cranking voltage is too low, or current draw too high,
check for;
. dead or low batterv.
. open circuit in starter armature commutator seg-
ments,
. starter armature dragging.
. shorted armature winding.
o excessive drag in engine.
Check Cranking rpm
Engine speed during cranking should be above 100 rpm,
lf speed is too low, check for:
. loose battery or stanerterminals.
. excessively worn starter brushes,
. open circuit in commutator segments.
o dirty or damaged helical spline or drive gear.
. defective drive gear overrunning clutch.
Check Siarter Disengag€ment
With the shift lever in El or @ position (A/T) or with the
clutch pedal depressed (M/T), turn the ignition switch to
START (lll), and release to ON (ll).
The starter drive gear should disengage from the torque
converter or flywheel ring gear when you release the
Key.
lf the drive gear hangs up on the torque converter or fly-
wheel ring gear, check for:
. solenoid plunger and switch malfunction,
. dirty drive gear assembly or damaged overrunning
clutch.
Starter Solenoid Test
1. Check the hold-in coil for continuitv between the S
terminal and the armature housing (ground). The
coil is OK if there is continuitv,
ARMATUREHOUSING(GROUND)
S TERMINAL
M TERMINAL
B TERMINAL
STARTERCAELE B TERMINALMOUNTING NUTI N.m {0.9 kgf.m,7 tbf.ft)
Check the pull-in coil for continuity between the S
and M terminals. The coil is OK if there is continuity.

Starting System
Armature Inspection and Test (cont'dl
4. Check tor mica depth. lf necessary, undercut mica
with a hacksaw blade to achieve proper depth. l{ ser-
vice limit cannot be maintained, replace the armature.
MICA D€PTH
Commutator Mica D€pth
5. Check for continuity between the segments of the
commutator. lf an open circuit exists between any
segments, replace the armature.
NOT GOOD
Standard (NEW)Service Limit
0.4 - 0.5 mm
(0.016 - 0.02 in)
0.15 mm
(0.006 in)
23-98
corL coFECOMMUTATOR
6. Place the armature on an armature tester. Hold a
hacksaw blade on the armature core.
ARMATURE TESTER
. lf the blade is attracted to the core or vibrates
while the core is turned, the armature is shorted.
Replace the armature.
7. Check with an ohmmeter that no continuity exists
between the commutator and armature coil core,
and between the commutator and armature shaft. lf
there is continuity, replace the armature.
ARMATURE

Starting System
Starter Replacement
1.Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the
radio, then write down the frequencies for the
radio's preset buttons ('99 - 00 models).
Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the starter cable from the B terminal on
the solenoid, then disconnect the BLK trHT wire
from the S terminal.
MOUNTING BOLT44 N.m l/t.s kgf.m. 32 lbf.ft)
S TERMINAL
MOUNTING BOLT6,1 N.m {4.5 kstm.32lbtftl
MOUNTING NUT9 N,m {0.9 kgl.m,6.s lbtftl
B TERMINAL
4. Remove the two bolts holding the starter, then
remove the starter.
lnstall in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE: When installing the staner cable, make sure
that the crimped side ofthe ring terminal is facing out.
TERMINAL
Connect the battery positive cable and negative cable
to the battery.
Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter the
customer's radio station presets ('99 - 00 models).
7.
Crimped side of ring
23-100
Starter Reassembly
'1. Pry back each brush spring with a screwdriver, then
position the brush about halfway out of its holder.
and release the spring to hold it there.
Install the armature in the housing. Next, pry back
each brush spring again, and push the brush down
until it seats against the commutator, then release
the spring against the end of the brush.
aw
3. Install the end cover on the brush holder.
ERUSH HOLDER

-Performance Test
NOTE: Before staning the following checks. disconnect
the wire from terminal M. and make a connection as
described below using as heavy a wire as possible (prefer-
ably equivalent to the wire used for the car).
Pull-in CoilTest:
Connect the battery as shown, lf the staner pinion pops
out. it is working proPerly.
CAUTION: Do not leavo tho batterv connost€d for more
than 10 seconds.
Hold-in Coil Test:
Disconnect the battery from the M terminal' lf the pinion
does not retract, the hold-in coil is working properly.
CAUTION: Do not loavc lhe battsry connected for mot6
than 10 ssconds.
Retracting Tosi:
Disconnect the battery also from the body. lf the pinion
retracts immediately, it is working properly.
GAUTION: Do not loave the baftery conn€ctod tor more
than 10 seconds.
Startor No-load Tost:
Clamp the starter firmly in a vise.
Connect the starter to the battery as described in
the diagram below, and confirm that the motor
starts and keeps rotating.
1.
3, lf the electric current and motor speed
specifications when the battery voltage is
the starter is working ProPerly.
Specifications:
80 A or less (Electric current),2,600 rpm or more
(Motor-speed)
meet the
at 11.5 V,
23-101