Honda Car Forum

91 Honda Civic, LX, automatic, 120,000 miles.
The car seems to going fine except one problem. sometimes the car
refuses
to start. This only happens after long drive. The car does not start
immediately after long drive. I have to wait while, sometimes a minute
or
5 or 10. I replaced a main relay thing. Still it didn't fix the
problem.
Is the problem on fuel injection or fuel filter? Sorry I don't know
not much
about car to say this.

On 11/13/03 2:35 PM, in article
1c9e1197.0311131235.54ce9857@posting.google.com, "Red Cloud"
<mmdir2002@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> 91 Honda Civic, LX, automatic, 120,000 miles.
> The car seems to going fine except one problem. sometimes the car
> refuses
> to start. This only happens after long drive. The car does not start
> immediately after long drive. I have to wait while, sometimes a minute
> or
> 5 or 10. I replaced a main relay thing. Still it didn't fix the
> problem.
> Is the problem on fuel injection or fuel filter? Sorry I don't know
> not much
> about car to say this.

Check the ignition switch (screwed into the back of the key cylinder) for
burned contacts.

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 21:16:10 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
> On 11/13/03 2:35 PM, in article
> 1c9e1197.0311131235.54ce9857@posting.google.com, "Red Cloud"
><mmdir2002@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> 91 Honda Civic, LX, automatic, 120,000 miles.
>> The car seems to going fine except one problem. sometimes the car
>> refuses
>> to start. This only happens after long drive. The car does not start
>> immediately after long drive. I have to wait while, sometimes a minute
>> or
>> 5 or 10. I replaced a main relay thing. Still it didn't fix the
>> problem.
>> Is the problem on fuel injection or fuel filter? Sorry I don't know
>> not much
>> about car to say this.
>
> Check the ignition switch (screwed into the back of the key cylinder) for
> burned contacts.

Check if there's air in the tires while you're at it. It'll be about as
helpfull as the above advice and less likely for you to damage your car
in the process.

If you don't have a solitary clue how to troubleshoot something as complex
as a car engine, you have no business ****ing around under the hood.

Buy one more component on the off chance that it'll fix things and you'll
have already wasted more money than it would have cost to have a mechanic
solve it for you.

First things first: what codes if any does the ECU report?

What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?

There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get a
trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.

On 11/13/03 3:38 PM, in article
slrnbr7ufa.o9l.The-Central-Scrutiniz...ing.kaosol.net, "TCS"
<The-Central-Scrutinizer@p.o.b.o.x.com> wrote:

> On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 21:16:10 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
>
> Check if there's air in the tires while you're at it. It'll be about as
> helpfull as the above advice and less likely for you to damage your car
> in the process.
>
> If you don't have a solitary clue how to troubleshoot something as complex
> as a car engine, you have no business ****ing around under the hood.
>
> Buy one more component on the off chance that it'll fix things and you'll
> have already wasted more money than it would have cost to have a mechanic
> solve it for you.
>
> First things first: what codes if any does the ECU report?
>

How can you be sure of that?

While he was on the rude side, I tend to agree with him.




"E. Meyer" <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
news:BBD97058.26F78%e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org...
> What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?
>
> There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get
a
> trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.
>
> On 11/13/03 3:38 PM, in article
> slrnbr7ufa.o9l.The-Central-Scrutiniz...ing.kaosol.net, "TCS"
> <The-Central-Scrutinizer@p.o.b.o.x.com> wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 21:16:10 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org>
wrote:
> >
> > Check if there's air in the tires while you're at it. It'll be about as
> > helpfull as the above advice and less likely for you to damage your car
> > in the process.
> >
> > If you don't have a solitary clue how to troubleshoot something as
complex
> > as a car engine, you have no business ****ing around under the hood.
> >
> > Buy one more component on the off chance that it'll fix things and
you'll
> > have already wasted more money than it would have cost to have a
mechanic
> > solve it for you.
> >
> > First things first: what codes if any does the ECU report?
> >
>

I have owned three 90's Hondas that each had this same problem and it was
the ignition switch every time. Also, I didn't tell him to buy it, I
suggested he should check it. Two screws and about 2 minutes to check.

On 11/13/03 5:36 PM, in article XAUsb.13006$fX5.383284@weber.videotron.net,
"Saintor" <saintor1@REMOVETHIShotmail.com> wrote:

> How can you be sure of that?
>
> While he was on the rude side, I tend to agree with him.
>
>
>
>
> "E. Meyer" <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
> news:BBD97058.26F78%e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org...
>> What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?
>>
>> There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get
> a
>> trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.
>>
>> On 11/13/03 3:38 PM, in article
>> slrnbr7ufa.o9l.The-Central-Scrutiniz...ing.kaosol.net, "TCS"
>> <The-Central-Scrutinizer@p.o.b.o.x.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 21:16:10 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org>
> wrote:
>>>
>>> Check if there's air in the tires while you're at it. It'll be about as
>>> helpfull as the above advice and less likely for you to damage your car
>>> in the process.
>>>
>>> If you don't have a solitary clue how to troubleshoot something as
> complex
>>> as a car engine, you have no business ****ing around under the hood.
>>>
>>> Buy one more component on the off chance that it'll fix things and
> you'll
>>> have already wasted more money than it would have cost to have a
> mechanic
>>> solve it for you.
>>>
>>> First things first: what codes if any does the ECU report?
>>>
>>
>
>

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 23:31:04 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
>What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?

>There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get a
>trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.

If the car starts when cold, the ignition switch is ok.

Red Cloud,
Next time it does that to you, try holding the pedal half way to the
floor and give it a try with the starter. If that solves the problem, it
could be a leaking injector that's bleeding your fuel pressure and
flooding it.

Our '95 Odyssey sometimes did that so we use Ethanol gas once in a while
to keep the injectors clean. 'Curly'

----------------------
Red Cloud wrote:
> 91 Honda Civic, LX, automatic, 120,000 miles.
> The car seems to going fine except one problem. sometimes the car
> refuses
> to start. This only happens after long drive. The car does not start
> immediately after long drive. I have to wait while, sometimes a minute
> or
> 5 or 10. I replaced a main relay thing. Still it didn't fix the
> problem.
> Is the problem on fuel injection or fuel filter? Sorry I don't know
> not much
> about car to say this.


--

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
you should not play any notes you have left over. -

On 11/13/03 9:51 PM, in article
slrnbr8kam.2f4.The-Central-Scrutiniz...625.kaosol.net, "TCS"
<The-Central-Scrutinizer@p.o.b.o.x.com> wrote:

> On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 23:31:04 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
>> What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?
>
>> There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get a
>> trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.
>
> If the car starts when cold, the ignition switch is ok.
>
>
>
Really... The symptom of bad Honda ignition switches is that they always
start when cold, but then the switch contacts overheat once its running and
it won't start again until the contacts cool. There was a recall of later
90's models for this.

If it is the switch, eventually it will start stalling without warning when
the switch contacts heat up and will refuse to restart until the switch
cools.

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 13:10:45 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
>On 11/13/03 9:51 PM, in article
>slrnbr8kam.2f4.The-Central-Scrutinizer@linux.adamf625.kaosol.net, "TCS"
><The-Central-Scrutinizer@p.o.b.o.x.com> wrote:

>> On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 23:31:04 GMT, E. Meyer <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote:
>>> What's your problem? Old lady cut you off this week?
>>
>>> There was nothing wrong with the previous advice and he's not going to get a
>>> trouble code out of a 91 that won't start.
>>
>> If the car starts when cold, the ignition switch is ok.
>>
>>
>>
>Really... The symptom of bad Honda ignition switches is that they always
>start when cold, but then the switch contacts overheat once its running and
from what? They carry only enough current to operate a relay.


>it won't start again until the contacts cool. There was a recall of later
>90's models for this.

>If it is the switch, eventually it will start stalling without warning when
>the switch contacts heat up and will refuse to restart until the switch
>cools.

Or it could be the fuel pump. Or any number of sensors. Or a loose wiring
connection. Or a crimped fuel line. Or a plugged fuel filter. Or a cracked
ignition coil. Or a bad ignition module. Or dozens of other things.

Erroniously replace any two items and you've already wasted more money than it
would cost to have a mechanic troubleshoot the car. Ditto for any single
expensive item like a coil, ignition module or fuel pump.

If you don't have a troubleshooting strategy, you have no business under the
hood.

At least narrow it down to ignition or fuel before you start testing random
parts! Checking for ECU codes is a good start. (no code is as valueable a
readout as it indicates the ECU has no idea of the fault and that rules out a
LOT of components)