drsab2000

My 1999 Civic will not start (185,000 miles). Here's some data:

It's 15 degrees F here in NJ so for the past few days, it's been starting differently. It would start on the second try and sputter to life slowly. Now, the engine is turning over freely but it will not start. New battery, full tank of gas. New plugs, cap & rotor. It has spark. I did notice in the fall that when the fuel level was very low, it took more cranks to start it. Thanks in advance for your help.

drsab2000

Some more data. I turned the key to the start position and I hear the fuel pump priming for about 2 seconds. There is also a click that occurs from the right side of the dash.

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

5 things for a motor to start

Air
Fuel
Compression
Timing
Spark

Figure out which one you dont have and go from there

turbohatch96y7

iTrader: (15)

Might be your battery tho since its soo cold on the weak coast

09chaplak

Can't even be mad, you right. It's snowing as a type this. OP, you claim to have spark........where might you have spark exactly? And the color is? Does it try to start with some starter fluid sprayed in the intake manifold?

drsab2000

Thanks for reply. I'll try the starter fluid next. One other question. If it's a bad fuel pump, would it still make the priming hum sound?

Former User

You said the fuel pump primes, so that's not likely the problem. Click the Spark link in my signature.

Any CEL codes?

drsab2000

Ron,

Used your method to check spark and I have it. Funny thing. After I put everything back, the engine started. It runs fine like nothing happened. Beats the hell out of me. Was it flooded? I'm still thinking it's a weak fuel pump. When I cracked the fitting on the fuel filter, with the engine off, it squirted a small amount of fuel. I seen to remember that there should be a higher pressure here.