1999 HONDA CIVIC COUPE jump start

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 220
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 226
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 226
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 227
Jump Starting................................. 227 If Your Engine Overheats............. 229
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 231Charging System Indicator........... 232
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 233
Brake System Indicator................ 234 Closing the Moonroof................... 235
Fuses............................................... 236 Checking and Replacing........... 237
Emergency Towing....................... 241

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu s t

If Your Engine Won't Start

Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, oroperates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all. Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See

Jump Starting on page 227.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. (See

Emergency Towing on page 241.)

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 189). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page 227).

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter Operates Normally In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 137.Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 237).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergency
Towing on page 241. Jump Starting
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmission by pushingor pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 189). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.

Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,

lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or

Park and set the parking brake.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

A battery can explode if you do

not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Jump Starting

3. Connect one jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the
booster battery. Connect the otherend to the positive (+) terminal
on your Honda's battery. 4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( — ) terminal onthe booster battery. Connect theother end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of the engine.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, have an assistant startthat vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6. Start your car. If the starter motor
still operates slowly, check the
jumper cable connections to make sure they have good metal-to-
metal contact.
7. Once your car is running, discon- nect the negative cable from your
car, then from the booster battery.
Disconnect the positive cable from
your car, then the booster battery.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
BOOSTER BATTERYMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131 Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 70
Accessory Power Socket................ 85
Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 180

Brake Fluid................................. 183 Clutch Fluid................................ 183
Engine Coolant........................... 175

Engine Oil................................... 171

Manual Transmission Fluid..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 180
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42 Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 47

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 171

Adjustments
Head Restraints........................... 77

Mirrors.......................................... 81

Seats.............................................. 76

Steering Wheel............................ 65

Airbag (SRS)...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Air Conditioning............................... 88 Maintenance............................... 193
Usage............................................. 90
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 90
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196 High Speed Driving................... 250
Normal Driving.......................... 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 252
Antifreeze....................................... 175
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light.................... 55, 153
Operation.................................... 152

Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 70

Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 85

Audio System................................... 96

Automatic Speed Control................ 66
Automatic Transmission............... 140

Capacity, Fluid........................... 247

Checking Fluid Level................ 180

Shifting........................................ 141
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 141
Shift Lock Release..................... 144
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 232
Jump Starting............................. 227 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 248
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Before Driving............................... 123
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 84
Body Repair.................................... 214
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 151Break-in, New Linings .............. 124
Fluid............................................ 182
Light, Burned-out...................... 206
Parking.......................................... 82
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 150
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 150
System Indicator................. 55, 153
Braking System.............................. 150
Break-in, New Car......................... 124
Brightness Control, Instruments... 62
Brights, Headlights......................... 61
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 207
Brake Lights ...................... 206, 207
Front Parking Lights................. 205
Front Side Marker Lights......... 205
Headlights.................................. 204
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
Interior Light.............................. 210

License Plate Lights.................. 209

Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 206

Specifications............................. 248

Trunk Light................................ 211

Turn Signal Lights............. 205, 206
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 204
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 227
Capacities Chart............................. 247
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player
Operation.................................... 115

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 100
CD Player........................................ 100

Certification Label......................... 244

Chains............................................. 201

Change Oil
How to......................................... 173

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
Changing Engine Coolant............. 177 Charging System Indicator.... 55, 232
Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 180

Battery Condition...................... 189

Brake Fluid................................. 183

Clutch Fluid................................ 183

Drive Belts.................................. 194
Engine Coolant........................... 128
Engine Oil................................... 127

Fuses........................................... 236
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Cleaner, Air.................................... 185
Cleaning Exterior....................................... 214
Interior........................................ 216 Seat Belts.................................... 216
Vinyl............................................ 216 Windows..................................... 217
Clock, Setting the ............................ 99
Clutch Fluid.................................... 183

CO in the Exhaust......................... 254
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 220Main Menu s t

Index

Consumer Information*................ 258
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding.........................................171

Checking..................................... 128

Proper Solution.......................... 175

Replacing.................................... 177

Temperature Gauge.................... 58

Corrosion Protection..................... 217

Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 254

Cruise Control Operation............... 66

Customer Relations Office........... 258
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard........................................ 52

Daytime Running Lights................. 61
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 262 Defog and Defrost........................... 93
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 93
DEXRON® III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 181
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 181
Engine Oil................................... 128

Directional Signals........................... 62

Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 150
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 174
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70Power Door Locks....................... 71
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 250
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Drive Belts...................................... 194
Driving............................................ 135
Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 154
In Foreign Countries................. 253

Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234 Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231 Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235
Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emergency Towing ........................ 241
Emissions Controls........................ 254Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 233
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Engine Speed Limiter............139, 144

CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Heating and Cooling........................ 88

High Altitude, Starting at.............. 137

High-Low Beam Switch.................. 61

High-mount Brake Light............... 209

Hood, Opening the........................ 126

Horn................................................... 60

Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 175

Hydraulic Clutch............................ 183

Hydroplaning.................................. 154

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 244

If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 241
Ignition
Keys............................................... 69

Switch............................................ 69

Timing Control System............. 255
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infant Restraint................................ 29

Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 195
High Speed Driving................... 250

Normal Driving.......................... 195
Inside Mirror.................................... 81
Inspection, Tire.............................. 197

Instrument Panel............................. 52

Instrument Panel Brightness......... 62

Interior Cleaning............................ 216

Interior Light.................................... 86

Introduction......................................... i

Jacking up the Car......................... 221

Jack, Tire........................................ 221

Jump Starting................................. 227

Keys................................................... 69
Label, Certification........................ 244

Lane Change, Signaling.................. 62

Lap Belt............................................. 43

Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 42

Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 49

Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 204
Indicator........................................ 53

Parking.......................................... 64

Turn Signal................................... 62

LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 70

Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 70Fuel Fill Door............................. 125
Power Door.................................. 71

Trunk............................................ 75

Low Coolant Level......................... 128 Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 58
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 55, 231
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 247

Luggage.......................................... 132

CONTINUED

Maintenance................................... 157

Owner Maintenance Checks.... 169

Record.................................. 167-168

Required Indicator....................... 59Main Menu s t