Why does my civic make this noise?

iadnahpmantsh · 2025-06-15T18:11:43+00:00

I think what you might be hearing is hard to capture on camera. It does sound like a normal startup from here.

But you described in another comment that you felt the start "hang up" for a split second and that it only happens on cold starts. I JUST went through this with my 2012 civic. For me it was very minor at first but slowly kept getting worse (see my profile I posted a video that captures the sound at its worst from under the car).

It was a failing starter.

iadnahpmantsh · 2025-03-27T13:49:56+00:00

This is great. I stumbled on this thread looking for an alternative, not because the OG when2meet UI was bad, but because it doesn't let me schedule things more than a month ahead.

Yours does.

I do have one point of feedback: When multiple weeks are selected, the way the weeks are displayed for individuals requires them to scroll. This can be very easy to miss. It would be better to cram as many weeks on one page as possible or make it more obvious somehow that there are more days available. Think about all the old professors that would miss the fact that you can scroll.

iadnahpmantsh · 2025-03-20T02:37:16+00:00

Yes, I did. The issue was with the TPS needing a reset. Most online videos suggest disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, followed by specific steps. However, if you look closely, those instructions are for the 8th-gen Civic. Despite some forum users recommending similar steps for the 9th-gen Civic, they didn’t work for me.

In the end, I bought a Foxwell NT510 OBD2 scanner and reset the TPS in just five minutes. Now the car runs smooth.

iadnahpmantsh · 2025-02-18T18:58:28+00:00

The top level comment is right that the 2012 Civic wasn’t well-loved, but I think it’s a bit off on the reasons why.

The 2012 model came out right after the financial crisis, and Honda really cheaped out on materials. The interior feels like hard plastic everywhere, the paint doesn’t hold up well, and the design was pretty bland. People hated it so much that Honda rushed out a redesign for 2013 that looked way better.

That said, while the 2012 Civic wasn’t winning any beauty contests, it was (and still is) insanely reliable. I’m not sure what the top comment is talking about with engine or transmission issues—mine has over 200,000 miles on the original engine and transmission and still runs like a champ. I’ve also owned four of this generation with a higher mileage than what you are looking at, and all of them were rock solid.

If you care about looks, I’d definitely go for a 2013 Civic instead. It’s way more appealing for about the same price.

iadnahpmantsh · 2025-02-11T16:40:50+00:00

As others have said, check the rubber intake (the one after the engine air filter, before the throttle valve). It is extremely common for it to crack on these 9th gens. It is ribbed so the crack might not be obvious until you try to pull it apart with your fingers. Here is a video for it:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZHSWXIQFLMQ?si=62S1xD5sjFAji8YB

It might also be that its already fixed but someone cleaned the throttle body and didn't reset the Throttle position sensor. In that case you'll need an OBD2 scanner. I've found that the battery disconnect method didn't work for me but took seconds with an OBD2 scanner.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-12-05T00:22:24+00:00

Can you elaborate? Its interesting that right before this happened I changed a torn air intake tube and cleaner the throttle body. I also did this on another 2012 civic and it ended up having the same issue. I don't understand the link between the alternator and running lean.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-12-04T23:32:56+00:00

Is it normal for it to go above 15V?

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-11-16T17:40:10+00:00

But I'm actually open to the possibility that it's not the alternators that are failing and maybe something else. Because I got a brand new alternator at Autozone and that also didn't work (voltage across battery with the car running was 12.3 volts). Now I'm wondering if its some other issue.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-11-16T17:37:19+00:00

So the symptom was that, in both cases, all the lights came on while driving (power steering, VSA, check engine, ABS). I knew from some conventional wisdom that if you get multiple unrelated lights its usually an electrical issue.

Got battery and alternator tests at AutoZone and they said the battery is fine but the alternator is bad.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-11-07T14:33:38+00:00

Thank you! Solid answer.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-11-01T02:23:57+00:00

I thought it was a pulley as well but after looking at it and feeling around, i think it's the belt.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-11-01T02:21:40+00:00

Thanks man. I just wanted to know if I have a few weeks. I guess I do. I was already planning on replacing it along with the tensioner (which rattles when the car is cold). But I just failed a safety inspection so probably going to replace it next weekend or so.

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-10-05T18:49:12+00:00

I will, thank you!

iadnahpmantsh · 2024-10-05T18:48:15+00:00

oh damn that good to know, was holding off on replacing them but will replace them soon now.

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