Honda Civic Startup problems

Hunter_2

I have a Honda Civic 1.5 Lsi auto 1993. When I turn the engine off it will not start again for at least 5 minutes - this is happening more and more frequently. I changed the distributor last year and had the ECU checked. Also sometimes the engine warning light comes on so I stop and switch off, then have to wait about 5 or 10 mins to start again and the light will stay off.
Does anyone know much about Civics and why this is happening? I have checked the Reviewcentre on the web and it seems there are others who have this problem but no obvious solution. Can anyone help please?

Conor_3

Sometimes a failing starter motor can refuse to work when it's hot. Also check the earth wire to the engine.

Hunter_2

Many thanks Conor!
Your advice is much appreciated, I'll ask them to try your suggestions.
Hunter

mrtg0525

Get the ECU fault code read if you haven't had that done yet; That may well give you a clue as to what's wrong.

epninety

Hunter,

Can you give us some clues... does it crank (turn over)? If it cranks, does it cough or splutter? Does it turn over faster or slower than normal?

No. 1 fault finding tool for an engine that won't start is a can of Easistart. It's just ether, a fuel that will burn ignite very easily. A quick squirt up the air intake, then crank it over. If it coughs and tries to start, you have a fuel problem. If it doesn't cough, you have an ignition related problem.
Half of the potential faults eliminated in 30 seconds!

Hunter_2

mrtg0525 wrote: »

Get the ECU fault code read if you haven't had that done yet; That may well give you a clue as to what's wrong.

Thanks for this. The test report for the ECUcame back: *37820-P04-G50* 46037 No fault found

Hunter_2

epninety wrote: »

Hunter,

Can you give us some clues... does it crank (turn over)? If it cranks, does it cough or splutter? Does it turn over faster or slower than normal?

No. 1 fault finding tool for an engine that won't start is a can of Easistart. It's just ether, a fuel that will burn ignite very easily. A quick squirt up the air intake, then crank it over. If it coughs and tries to start, you have a fuel problem. If it doesn't cough, you have an ignition related problem.
Half of the potential faults eliminated in 30 seconds!

Thanks for this tip. The car turns over fine, no spluttering. re the can of Easistart I don't know which is the air intake?

Andy_Edinburgh

These symptoms on a 93 Civic point to almost certainly either the fuel injection system Main Relay, and/or the Ignitor module - both simple to diagnose and fix. See my post on:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=53632

Andy_Edinburgh

...the last two posts, that is.

Hunter_2

Thanks for your advice Andy - much appreciated.
Hunter

Andy_Edinburgh

My father had these problems on both a Rover 216 and 416 (basically a Honda Concerto with same Honda PGM-FI injection system). The fix is easy, cheap and more-or-less permanent.