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Honda Civic 2007 wont start?
My 07 Honda Civic wont start. About a week ago I accidentally left my lights on and I needed a jump. Now, my car wont start at all. I had the battery tested and they said it is fine. It just needs a charge. Some think it is my alternator. I am confused and don't know what to do. I am afraid that it could be a systematic issue, like when one part don't work, the whole system acts up. If that is the case I have to take it to the dealer and They charge a lot more to fix it. I don't know what to do .Any comments or suggestions are appreciated
3 Answers
- EricLv 68 years agoFavorite Answer
It is likely the battery.
Your alternator is NOT designed to charge the battery, only maintain it.
I have only owned Hondas and the "whole" system has never acted up. :)
Modern cars are harder on batteries than older cars so as your battery ages it may lack the needed
capacity during start up.
When you turn the key to the on poisition you call into play a few different systems on the car.
The fuel pump in the gas tank needs to pressurize the fuel lines, the ignition system needs current as does the starter motor. All these draw power from the battery.
Only after the car is running does your alternator join the party. It supplies current to the car's systems and moves a tiny bit of current back to the battery to maintain it.
If your alternator had failed you would have a light on the dash of the car.
Your owners manual has help with dash lights.
I have owned 6 different Civics over the last 25 years and have never replaced an alternator, only a few batteries.
- 8 years ago
A jump start can recharge your battery because the system is hooked up with an alternator. If your engine is running, your alternator is running that powers all the electronics in your car and recharges your battery.
But recharging your battery by running the engine can take a long time so you may need to get the battery charged with a charger.
- JohnLv 48 years ago
A jump start will not recharge your battery. Get the battery charged with a battery charger and retest it after that is done.