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cazper72 · Dec 23, 2008, 11:34 AM

My1995 Honda Civic DX 1.5L SOHC Will Not Start. I Initially Started My Car To Move It Out Of A Tow-zone In A Parking Lot. I Made It All Of 50 Feet Before My Power Drastically Reduced And My Engine Killed. The Battery Was Quite Old, So I Replaced It With A New One. I Wasn't Successful Jumping My Car With The Old Battery, Even After Allowing It To Charge For 10 Minutes. After The New Battery Was Installed- I Turn The Ignition Switch To 'ON' The Check Engine Light Illuminates And Shuts Off After About Two Seconds, I Hear The Fuel Pump Start Up. I Then Try To Start The Car And The Engine Turns Over, But I Don't Seem To Have Detonation. The Weather Is Very Cold, Was Sub-zero The Day I Couldn't Get My Car Started. I Let The Car Rest Over Night And With The Temperature In The 20's F, I Was Hoping It Would Start, But It Doesn't. Thanks In Advance.

I have come across a number of sites which have varying methods to troubleshoot similar issues, but would like some input from any kind folks that can spare a few minutes.

What would be the proper way to check for spark? Screwdriver in plug-wire near the heads?

Best way to check for fuel to cylinders?

May I have just flooded the engine?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

TxGreaseMonkey · Dec 23, 2008, 11:40 AM

. Perform tests, in Sections A and B, below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...les-46563.html

. Replace the Ignition Control Module and coil, if there's no spark:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896

StaticFX · Dec 23, 2008, 11:42 AM

To check for a spark... you need to have a friend help you.

Pull a spark plug wire and either hold it near the plug or the block... slide the wire out a bit if the boot is long. Then have them turn it over and see what happens. No spark? Start checking wires, fuses, etc. could be a short.

To check for gas in the cylinder... turn it over a bit then pull a spark plug out.. it should be wet and stink like gas :)
If no gas... maybe the fuel filter is clogged.

If you flooded it... letting it sit overnight shouldve worked.

EDIT: I like tx's list! Very nice!

TxGreaseMonkey · Dec 23, 2008, 11:55 AM

Since it's so cold where you live, try using full-synthetic engine oil and transmission fluid. You'll be glad you did--easier starting and easier on the battery and starter.

ITstudent2006 · Dec 23, 2008, 01:21 PM

First off chec for spark like the gus have been saying, also like I mentioned in a forum 3 days ago. Honda Civics are natorious for having bad distributor housings. My fiancé used to have an old 94 Civic and one day she was driving at it just died, fuel-pmp still worked and everything else seemed fine.

Check the distributor for a broken bolt or a crack, if cold air gets in and/or water I won't get spark thus not firing.

I live in Michigan so It's cold here and that is what I did and it worked fine. I had to retap the bolt fitting to put a new bolt in but check that out and see if it's letting in air/water.

Hope this helps!

somerton · Oct 31, 2009, 05:16 PM

My 1995 honda civic won't star I replaced rotor and cap and control module and I don't get spark yet what can I do

TxGreaseMonkey · Oct 31, 2009, 05:20 PM

. Replace coil:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896

. Test all under hood and under dash fuses with a test light or multimeter:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post252145

somerton · Oct 31, 2009, 05:33 PM

I test every fuse on car and electronic connections and no spark yet thaks grease monkey ,any other suggestions

TxGreaseMonkey · Oct 31, 2009, 05:44 PM

Did you install a new coil? Was the ICM new?

somerton · Oct 31, 2009, 07:13 PM

No not the coil, only the ICM brand new do you thing the coil is needed to get spark

TxGreaseMonkey · Nov 1, 2009, 06:22 AM

Yes. Installing a new coil will likely solve the problem. Coils and ICMs are problematic components and should be replaced every 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.