I need some help from the experts on this board. I have tried searching the board first and failed to get an answer. I have a 2001 S2000. Tonight, I turned on the engine for a few minutes and checked the oil. I then shut off the "Maintenance Required Light" according to the manual. I then started the engine, waited for a few minutes, and then proceeded to drive the car.

After a few feet, the car stalled. When I tried to restart the engine, it would not start. The battery is fine (headlights and radio work fine), but the car engine just will not start. On pressing the Start button, I don't get any turning-over noise, just a click.

After trying to start the engine for an hour, I had to push the car into a parking spot. Again, the battery is fine, but one thing I did notice is that the steering wheel was very hard to turn (I guess power steering is off -- not sure if this is normal) even in the "On" position.

I have extended warranty (at a major discount, thanks to the awesome members on this board), but is this something I can fix on my own? For example, is this an engine immobilizer (alarm/security system) problem that I can fix by resetting something? Does it have to do with something I may have done wrong while resetting the "Maintenance Required" light? What could be the problem when I have a fine battery?

ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. This has been a very frustrating evening. THANKS!

 

You know on my old car I had the same problem. The headlights and stereo would work but the car would not turn over. For the hell of it, I swapped out the battery and it worked. So try that out first before anything.

 

I replaced the original battery in my MY 2001 this spring. It seems they are good for about 3 1/2 years. The lights and stereo worked, but the car would not turn over. You can have the battery checked UNDER LOAD at most auto parts store to confirm the dead battery if you wish. I'll bet on the "dead battery' theory right now.

 

sounds like your starter is faulty.

 

Can Either Be Spark Plugs. Have you had the Recall done on your Car? Or when you start it try to give it some gas when you start. Could also be bad coil pack. Are you getting any check engine light? I had that problem when I dropped a valve. Car ran, and stalled out, and would not start back up. Can be a number of things, just gotta go down the list of the last things you touched.

 

The only time I've ever gotten a click when trying to start the engine, and it never turned over, was when the battery was dead. However, that would not cause the engine to stall.

Do you have any mods on the car? A cold air intake perhaps?

(The steering wheel thing is normal, by the way.)

Did you take the key all the way out of the ignition before trying again?

 

Thank you very, very much for your replies. Yes, I did try like 30 times to restart the car by taking the key all the way out and retrying. I am praying that it's a battery problem and not the other things mentioned.

I am at work and do not have access my car at the moment. I have never had a battery replaced (this is my first car). Do you recommend I attempt to do this myself or should I jump the car and try to make it to a service station?

I did a quick search on Google, and it seems like I need to buy certain cleaners, gloves, goggles, etc. and it may not make sense to do it myself (but I don't want acid all over my face, or worse, damage the car ). Any recommended brands? Oh, and what is the OEM battery warranty? Anyone ever try to get it covered under the battery's warranty? Not sure what the procedure is.

 

You cannot declare the battery is "fine" on the basis of headlights and radio working. Your battery most likely doesn't have enough cranking amps to turn the starter motor over.
If I get you correctly, your starter motor is not even turning over, therefore, this has NOTHING to do with spark plugs, fuel pump, coil packs or chicken feet.

 

All you need is a 10mm socket or wrench and a new battery. Just unscrew/unbolt the 2 terminals and swap in the battery and tighten everything back up. Disconnect the negative terminal first (black) then the positive. When putting it back in, put the positive (red) on first then the negative.

 

if you hear a clicking noise it most likely your starter. If you think its your battery check for corrosion around your terminals or just swap with a buddies battery or something.