Hello,

I recently bought a 91 civic hatchback and have been driving it for around 3 weeks now with no problems. I recently had a snow storm here and it got pretty cold for about a week, the day it finally warmed up I went out to start the car and it would turn over, but would never start. I waited a couple hours came back out and it started right up. I thought maybe some condensation had happened and letting it sit fixed the problem, but about 20 minutes into my drive the car just died going down the road. I pulled over tried to restart it and it would begin to start, but die once I let go of the key. It did this several times, I then let it sit for about 10 minutes and it started just fine. I drove it to a parking lot and parked it, and since I was late already and didn't want to chance it getting stuck in the middle of the road I hopped on a bus. Came back that evening and it started fine and I drove it home. I just tried it again today and it started fine, but I worried about taking it out somewhere and getting it stuck. I did some reading on here and checked the computer LED and I am not getting any codes, and the check engine light stays on like its supposed too for 2 secs. I think the clicks are fine too, but I haven't been able to listen to it when its acting up. Any one have a similar problem or any suggestions, I'm not sure how to trace something down when it doesn't happen all the time.


Thanks
Matt

Matt, it has the appearance of being a bad ignition switch, if you think how you manage the key makes a difference. Maybe you could elaborate on that more. Otherwise, my hunch is that it could be an igniter starting to fail. Autozone and O'Reilly Auto will test igniters and coils for free.

To have confidence in your car again, and because of its age, I recommend you replace the igniter, coil, and main relay. One tow will equal what all three components cost.

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Originally Posted by letmein

Hello,

I recently bought a 91 civic hatchback and have been driving it for around 3 weeks now with no problems. I recently had a snow storm here and it got pretty cold for about a week, the day it finally warmed up I went out to start the car and it would turn over, but would never start. I waited a couple hours came back out and it started right up. I thought maybe some condensation had happened and letting it sit fixed the problem, but about 20 mins into my drive the car just died going down the road. I pulled over tried to restart it and it would begin to start, but die once I let go of the key. It did this several times, I then let it sit for about 10 mins and it started just fine. I drove it to a parking lot and parked it, and since i was late already and didnt want to chance it getting stuck in the middle of the road I hopped on a bus. Came back that evening and it started fine and I drove it home. I just tried it again today and it started fine, but I worried about taking it out somewhere and getting it stuck. I did some reading on here and checked the computer LED and I am not getting any codes, and the check engine light stays on like its supposed too for 2 secs. I think the clicks are fine too, but I havent been able to listen to it when its acting up. Any one have a similar problem or any suggestions, I'm not sure how to trace something down when it doesnt happen all the time.


Thanks
Matt

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I don't think it's the ignition, now that I reread what I wrote I understand how you got that. It turns over just fine, and what I meant by it would die after letting go of the key was that it would begin to start each time I tried, but would act like it was getting no gas, almost like it was using up the gas that was primed into it, but the fuel pump wasn't kicking in. Ill try your advice and go pick up an igniter, coil and main relay today to see how that works and let you know. Thanks for the help so far

What you say now sounds like you need to replace the fuel filter. Disconnect the negative. Battery cable and gas cap first, before replacing. Clogged fuel filters can stop and engine. In fact, my father's Toyota pickup died on the road, because of this problem, 6 months ago.