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View Full Version : 1989 Honda Civic won't start.


spinelll
Jun 1, 2009, 06:36 AM
No start symptoms:
1. Car turns over and runs for about a second, then dies after that initial "vroooom".
2. Occasionally, it will start and run for a day or two without problems.
3. This morning it cut out will doing 55 on a highway. I drifted to the shoulder, down shifted to 4th to "jump" it, down shifted to 3rd an it started again. I limped to work, turned it off. Tried to start it immediately and now I'm back at step 1.

At first I was thinking it was fuel related (maybe fuel filter). Now I'm thinking ICM.

Thanks
Leo

Stratmando
Jun 1, 2009, 06:45 AM
It never hurts to change the fuel filter, I would do it first, even if it may be the symptoms of the ICM.
Look through the troubleshooting of Hondas by TXgreasemonkey, its at top of the list after you click"Cars and Trucks", or click here:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563.html

TxGreaseMonkey
Jun 1, 2009, 09:26 AM
Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-4.html#post265896

You will have an external coil.

spinelll
Jun 1, 2009, 01:05 PM
An addition to my post today:
I noticed that when the key is in position II, nothing turns on that typically turns on. That is, I can usually operate the windows and the dash lights come on. But now nothing.

this8384
Jun 1, 2009, 01:22 PM
Sounds like a bad ignition switch; it isn't recognizing what position the key is in, which is why nothing is powering on.

TxGreaseMonkey
Jun 1, 2009, 02:49 PM
Replace the ignition switch:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-2.html#post224652

spinelll
Jun 2, 2009, 07:22 PM
For now I removed the switch and cleaned the brass contacts. Temp solution.