Car - '92 DX Coupe with 89k miles.
Started/ran fine a few days ago. Tried to start the car yesterday and only got a high-pitched whine/grinding sound. It won't crank. I replaced the battery, to no avail (that's what solved the problem a year ago, with the exact same symptoms). Was in the process of checking the cap/rotor/ICM last night, but couldn't get to the release screw for the rotor. Quit 'cause it was getting late.
Has anyone else had this problem? I did a search for starting problems, but all mentioned the car was either cranking or completely dead. I'm thinking/hoping it's the ICM, but am looking for other suggestions.
Thanks.

 

If your crank doesn't turn while your starting it, it's your starter.

 

That's weird, sounds like you broke your timing belt. My buddy's went this weekend, and damn, you'll never forget that sound when you hear it once.

 

Could be either. Try having a friend look at your crank pulley while you try to start it. If it turns and your cam doesn't... bad timing belt.

Otherwise, I'd have to say starter. I don't see your timing belt just snapping when you're not driving it... but, stranger things have happened.

 

I've had it happen to two friends as they shut off their cars... Sounds weird, but ****, cars are touchy like women... <ducking in advance>

 

burnt out coil is my bet.

 

:chuckles: so :werd:!

 

I seriously doubt it's the timing belt, but hey, who knows.
Very weird 'cause the exact same thing happened last year and it ended up being a bad battery, so I'm thinking the starter is not getting enough juice to activate. That's why I'm hoping it's a bad ICM/coil.
What interesting timing, though. I had pulled the ECU from my other car to chip (1.8T) and got in the Civic to go to the post office, when this happened. Maybe it's a sign??
Won't have time to wrench on the car until the weekend, so I'm scouring the web for info in the meantime.
Thanks for all the replies...

 

have you ever accidentally put the key in the 'start' position while the car is running? if yes, then does it make that same k.r.r.r.r.r.r.r.r.r. sound? if yes, its the starter.

hope this helps, idk if this is the high pitched grinding sound that youre talking about

 

How clean are the battery terminals? I know you replaced the battery, but did you clean off the contacts on the cables? I had an old Chevy Blazer just up and died one day. I had replaced the battery already and it just wasn't getting any juice. I took a wire brush and some water/baking soda mixture and cleaned them off and it fired right up. That doesn't really sound like your problem but it's free and should be done every once in a while anyway, so try it.

I'm still not sure what your car is doing. Does is sound like anything is spining or just locked up? Has the car overheated lately? Is the oil full and clean and is the radiator topped off? Seeya.