View Full Version : 96 Honda Civic EX Won't Start
cmbullock
Oct 1, 2009, 05:08 AM
I have a 1996 Honda Civic EX, I have owned the car for about a year, and have nad no problems with it and it has always ran great. About two months ago I started the car it died right away and has not ran since. The car seems to turn over much faster than it use to, but will not start I thought the timing belt had broke, but it is OK. I have Fuel, I have Fire, I tore down to the timing belt, and the belt is good and intact. I have put new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, ICM, and coil in the car all trying to bring it back to life but have had no luck. I am out of ideas does anyone have any new thoughts?
TxGreaseMonkey
Oct 1, 2009, 05:45 AM
Remove the spark plugs and check each cylinder's compression. If the car ever overheated, the head may have warped and head gasket now leaks.
cmbullock
Oct 1, 2009, 06:40 AM
Thanks for the reply, I will try that soon, I did notice that the radiator was empty just the oter day, my wife drives the car, but never had an issue, we had actaully moved it the next day out the garage with no problems, then the day after is when it wouldn't start. What should the compression be on that car?
TxGreaseMonkey
Oct 1, 2009, 07:48 AM
Cylinder Compression Pressure
Standard: 184 psi
Minimum: 135 psi
Max. variation between cylinders: 28 psi
cmbullock
Oct 3, 2009, 03:04 PM
Ok so funny thing, I was doing a compression test pulling one plug at a time, and on the 3rd one the engine fired and died, so I put all the plugs back in and started to crank it over and I hit the gas pedal and the car started and I have been driving it all weekend long now. My fear is I don't know what the problem is. Btw the car had about 130PSI across all cylinders.
TxGreaseMonkey
Oct 3, 2009, 03:09 PM
All of the spark plugs should have been removed, prior to checking the compression.
Maybe the new spark plug wires were not seated on the new spark plugs. Another possibility is that the engine was previously flooded, which cleared up when the plugs were removed and the engine was cranked.
You've done a lot of good things for your car by replacing the parts.
cmbullock
Oct 4, 2009, 07:53 AM
Well the plugs, wires, cap, and roter were replaced about 6 months ago, and was just fine. As far as the engine being flooded, it originally quit running in June so it has sat for a few months and I have tried to start it several times during that time. So still a mystery..? Someone had mentioned that it may have a bad throttle position sensor...