Problem with 91 Honda Civic

LOVE4JESUS · Aug 31, 2004, 11:31 AM

I can drive my car turn off the engine to go in the store, but when I try starting my car up again it will not start. I have to while for 10-15 minutes and then it starts. The last time this happened I had to wait about nine hours. I got it home then it would not start for about a week. Can someone please tell me what the problem is?
I got a tune-up on my 91 Honda Civic in February and every since then I have changed my distrubutor button twice. What is burning up my distrubutor button. Can someone please tell me what the problem is?

Expando1 · Sep 20, 2004, 09:44 AM

Well I'm hitting myself right now. Just discovered that I DID NOT replace the main relay a week ago. I replaced the 'fuel pump relay'. I placed myself at the mercy of the auto store...since I didn't know what the main relay looked like I asked them for one and then found the identical part in my car and swapped them out. If it wasn't for a bit of fortune I may have gone on thinking I replaced the right part. Well ok, I'll keep an eye on the car now and let you guys know if all is well.

LOVE4JESUS · Sep 20, 2004, 11:46 AM

After installing the main relay, I started counting after turning the ignition to the on position and it still blinked 16 times. What does that mean?
How do I know that it was really the main relay, my car alwayed started because it was not hot enough for my car not start.

damuho · Sep 20, 2004, 04:56 PM

Expando1:
I figured something must be wrong with the part which is why I was asking for the 'brand' - to make sure you are changing the right part. The car comes with a Matsuba main relay.

LOVE4JESUS:
To clear the computer's memory, you need to disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 15-20seconds, then reconnect. Scan for error codes again and it should be clear. Obviously, you will not get an error code again if your car continuous to start.

Did you try using starter fluid when the car would not start or did you jump ahead to replacing/fixing the main relay? Did you rework it or bought a new one?

At the very least, it's good news that your cars are starting fine for now. Keep observing and update us in a day or two.

LOVE4JESUS · Sep 21, 2004, 07:53 AM

No I did not try using the starter fluid because my car would start right up. So that is when I went to check the computer to see if the red light will blink 16 times and if did. I went ahead and replaced (bought a new Matsuba main rely) The computer is still blinking 16 times but I will try what you said to do. Thanks

CroCivic91 · Nov 19, 2004, 02:02 AM

First of all, sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead.

I'd like to thank you all for your infos on this problem. My dad bought this Civic 91 DX brand new and started experiencing problems about 2 years after. Mechanics here at Croatia had no clue what the problem was. Then my brother was given this car and he tried solving it - again with no luck. So now when i finally got it, i found you and managed to work it out last night.

Taking it out was the hard part - it took me about 3 hours, a lot of patience and some back pain to get it out. Resoldering it was a piece of cake. My computer is not throwing error code 16 any more, and the car is starting up like it should.

Anyway - thanks once again!

damuho · Nov 23, 2004, 02:59 AM

Glad to hear the fix worked for you!

rudolph · Mar 20, 2005, 04:03 AM

Hi! I have a Honda Civic 1993 117000 miles. If I get to start it, it starts fine after it has warmed up but when I leave it for a long time, like leave it overnight, when I start it, the motor turns/crank and I struggle to make it start. Sometimes it wouldn't start at all and then my battery becomes dead, and it's a new battery. Starter changed, distributor changed, ignition system checked and fine. Main relay was changed but I don't know if it was also defective, I got it from a junkyard. Don't know what's wrong. Plus, the car smells gas but there is no leak anywhere, please help, I need a car to go to work. My speedometer won't work. Sometimes it works when the car has been driven a long time, say 15-20 minutes or more. Thanks for your help!

CroCivic91 · Mar 20, 2005, 05:07 AM

One thing I noticed is that you said you got a new main relay from a junkyard. That might be a problem, since the junkyard main relay might be experiencing the same problems as your old one. Here is a nice HOW-TO that helped me do the same thing on my Civic: http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/elec...main-relay.htm

If you say your ignition system is checked, that means you are getting spark. If your car is not starting, it means it does not get gas, or it does not try to ignite the mixture at the right moment. Labman would suggest to pull the injectors from the rail, point them to something thats not hot and will not ignite the fuel, and try starting the car to see if that injector delivers fuel. If all injectors are good - you should check your timing.

racingsean · Dec 30, 2005, 12:45 PM

94 civic dx,new battery, starter, and altnator.Car will start and run with new battery for 3 days then try and start it next day and it wont as if the battery is dying while trying to or like its running off battery only and not charging.Hav had other friends say it would b the fusible link from the starter solnied to altnator. Anyone mite know where that would be located and if that sounds like a fusible link?????????????



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