1997 accord lx manual wont start this cold morning. Last time this happened was also a cold morning, I waited a few hours and it started, but not today. Battery charge is good. Jump starting doesnt work either. There is an obvious click sound from the ignition, followed by a very low humming sound until the key is cranked. How do I diagnose if this is a starter problem or not. A few days back, there was obvious noise from the cooling fan area which only lasted while the fan was on. Could this have to do something with the starting trouble, although I dont see a direct link between starting and the cooling fan. Experts, please advice. Thanks. Jim.

Turn on your headlights. Then turn on the key and try to start the car. If the lights dim when you try to start the car, the battery is bad or you have a bad battery connection. Check both leads (hot and ground) If the lights stay bright, could be the starter.

It looks like the battery is ok, although the lights dim just a little bit when trying to start. I have yet to check all the connections. Is it advisable to re-connect all wiring (to/from battery and starter), then try to start? Any other tests I can do on the starter to verify if its the culprit? Thanks.

It sure sounds like the starter. If your battery was bad, or the connections were loose, your lights WOULD have dimmed (almost gone out).

It could be the starter relay, but I don't know if that's available as a replacement part.

This might not help you much, but if you take the starter out, I think the parts stores can test it for you.

It looks like the battery is ok, although the lights dim just a little bit when trying to start. I have yet to check all the connections. Is it advisable to re-connect all wiring (to/from battery and starter), then try to start? Any other tests I can do on the starter to verify if its the culprit? Thanks.
if its your starter take a hammer or some kind of bar and hit the starter then try to start it it usually ill start if its the starter