RickyRT711

What's up everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post. I look things up that involve my civic and my search results always display answers and questions from this website so I figured I'd join. I am having a problem with my civic 93 cx 5 speed. The first time it happened it was raining out and while I was driving the car shut off while I was at a red light in traffic. I pushed it over to the side of the road and then it started right back up. That was 3 weeks ago. Since then, my car has had consistant problems with the fuel pump not priming and even a few times the car would prime the fuel pump but it wouldn't make a sound after I would fully turn the key, as if my starter didn't exist. Everytime I bring it to a mechanic they check all the wires, unplug stuff, moves things around and do whatever mechanics do in my situation. Then it starts up and the fuel pump primes and I can drive it without it shutting down. Once after I brought it to a mechanic, he messed with the wires and checked everything etc and got it starting and it worked for 5 days but sometimes it made a quick violent grinding metallic sound when it would start. The other day my friend and I drove a total of about 120 miles, then I pulled into his drive way and put the 'E' brake on, then I shut off the car and removed the key, then I put the key back in immediately and it started right up perfectly. After 15 minutes of not moving the car I came back outside and then the fuel pump didn't prime again and the car wouldn't start. It's strange that the car would start while it's parked in one position, then after a few minutes it won't start even though nothing has changed since it started last without moving the car. I replaced the fuel pump and filter, still the problem exists. I went to a mechanic yesterday and they took about 2 hours checking all the wires, etc, etc, then it started back up again, fuel pump primed, etc. then I get home and I tried to immediately start it up after turning it off and it didn't start back up like it did immediately like at my friends house. I don't know what's going on with the car but I do know this, whenever the mechanics check everything with the car and check all the wires, the car seems to start back up and stay on but after I drive it for a while it doesn't want to start back up and the fuel pump won't prime. Does anyone have an idea what it might be?

CX-Adam

Do you know what connections the mechanic messes with?

Does your car have an mods?

Other than replace the fuel pump and filter, what have you done to trouble shoot the problem yourself?

Car electrical stuff isn't really my thing so I'm not going to try and guess. If it was my car, I'd first check the condition of all the ground straps. On an unmodified car, they're really the only electrical component that can wear out. Well, at least they seem to be the most common cause of electrical problems. Then I'd take a multimeter to the fuel pump the next time the car doesn't start. See if it's getting power or not. Then trace the wiring back to every point that a problem could occur at. Upstream and downstream of each connector to see where the loose connection (or whatever) is located.

RickyRT711

Well I checked all the straps and everything is good. Yesterday I tried about 30 times to prime the fuel pump by turning the key and it didn't work. Then, about 2 hours later I tried again and it primed and the car turned on and I drove it for about 20 minutes and even put my new rims on, I just made sure not to turn the car off the whole time lol. As soon as I got home the fuel pump wouldn't prime again

CX-Adam

I don't mean to be rude but you didn't answer all of my questions. I'm not going to restate them here but please do so.

You said you changed your fuel pump. Did YOU do this or did you have someone else do it for you? Are you sure it has a good connection? Have you tried it? Buy a multimeter if you you don't have one and start trouble shooting the problem. You can go to the library and check-out a Chilton or, if you're lucky, a Helms manual for your vehicle and trace the circuit diagram for your fuel pump to see where the problem is occurring. For example, the pump should be getting power when the car is on, so you'd attach your multimeter to the pump to make sure it's getting consistent power at the correct voltage. If not, you move on the next inline component to make sure it's functioning correctly. Etc...

When you're pump's not priming, do your dash lights turn on? Do all the other electrical features work? Does your starter motor work? If not, check to make sure your battery terminals are making a good connection with the wires. I know both of my civics had problems with those wearing out and it lead to intermittent problems.

RickyRT711

I just got back from the mechanic and it took him 3 hours to tell me that my ECU is "glitching" he got the car started and wouldn't you know it as soon as I got home it wouldn't start back up again. He wrote on the mechanic paper that "if car continues to not start up than I need to replace my ECU. Does my car symptoms sound like it would relate to a bad ECU or is he just trying to get me outta their so he doesn't have to truly pinpoint the problem?

CX-Adam

It could be a faulty ECU. I kept telling you to check the voltage at the pump because it sounded like you have intermittent power. A faulty ECU could send intermittent signals as well. Do you have friends with cars that have the same ECU?

CX-Adam

Where do you live? If you live close I could let you use my old ECU from my 95 CX. Should be the same.

fonkernuckle

iTrader: (5)

Could be your ecu, next time notice if your check engine light goes off like it should after a couple of seconds when in the II position(i.e. not cranking but at the position when the idiot lights come on), if it stays on before you crank the car bet it will not start.
I had an ecu problem similar to what your going thru, the guy I bought the car from changed master relay, fuel pump and could not solve it.
Props goes to RonJ here on h-t who helped me solve this prob indirectly from his previous posts

RickyRT711

I don't have one of thoes things, that's why I take it to a mechanic because I wouldn't know how to use such things. My training is in ventilators and intubating people (ICU, emergency room, etc) lol not with cars that's why I am asking if my cars symptoms sound like they may pinpoint a certian problem. btw I live in Palm Springs CA so you're a bit far, but thanks anyway. I ordered an ECU from ebay, it should be here Friday.

RickyRT711

When I turn the key to position II rarely does the fuel pump prime but when it does the car starts up fine and never stalls out while on or driving. If the engine light stays on, and doesn't turn off after a couple seconds, will that mean that the problem is with the ECU?

jbpnoman

Not necessarily with the ECU, but that does mean there's a problem. Read the "How to pull CEL codes" sticky, follow the procedures, and post the results. Only tool required is a paperclip you don't mind destroying. You won't even destroy it, if you're careful

RickyRT711

I just called the mechanic that looked at my car for 3 hours, the one that said my ECU was "glitching". He said he didn't even hook a tester up to my ECU to pull any codes, all he said was that my ECU wouldn't supply power to the fuel injectors all the time and that in turn, my fuel pump wouldn't prime. Is it true that the fuel pump won't prime because the fuel injectors are not getting power? and second question is, could he truly be sure the problem is with the ECU if he didn't test the ECU with a tester?

Former User

The Codes thread has been unstuck.

To find it, please click the Codes link in my signature.

Former User

(I haven't read the thread.)

The ECU does not supply voltage/power to the injectors. It supplies ground.

Start by focusing on the fuel pump not priming.
-Check whether fuse 31 or 24 is blown.
-Clean and tighten the G101 ground on the thermostat housing.
-Resolder the main relay.

RickyRT711

Ok I put the paper clip in and when i turn the key to position II the CEL just stays on and never turns off even when the fuel pump primes or even when it doesn't prime, the CEL just stays on. When i take the paper clip out, and the fuel pump primes the CEL turns off, when i take the paper clip out and the fuel pump doesn't prime the CEL stays on.

Former User

When the pump fails to prime, your ECU is throwing CEL code 0.

Start by doing/checking the items I mentioned.

RickyRT711

I re soldered the main relay and it works fine. where is ground 101 and where are thoes fuses you mentioned. I dunno if its a fuse because the problem only happens intermittently. Plus if the car hasn't moved i doubt it could be wires touching or grounded out.

Former User

The fuses are not blown if the problem is intermittent. However, sometimes fuses become loose and have poor contact with the fuse box.

Former User

If the problem persists after doing the items above, then swap in a known good ECU.

RickyRT711

Exellent diagrams, thank you, I will check them. I talked to a Honda mecahnic at the local Honda dealership. He really doesn't think it's the ECU so he said to have him try and diagnose it for $51 per hour. I called the mechanic back that told me the ECU isn't getting power to the fuel pump or injectors and told them what the Honda mechanic said and they called bs on him for saying it couldn't be the ECU...... I dunno what to do now. I'm about to reach for a freakin rope and find a tall tree. lol

Former User

I've suggested where you need to start if you wish to pinpoint the problem. Understand that you can diagnose it yourself if you are willing to do a series of electrical tests, some of which require a basic digital multimeter. I've walked people through these tests multiple times. Otherwise, you will be stuck paying mechanics who may or may not know how to troubleshoot the problem.

jbpnoman

Why was the codes sticky unstuck, RonJ? It was the single most useful sticky among all of them. Sure as hell more useful than introductions or values.

Former User

There was a push to reduce the number of stickies in the 92-00 Civic forum. The feeling was that having a link to the Codes thread in the FAQs sticky was sufficient.

jbpnoman

Ah, valid. Didn't know it was in there. Carry on then

RickyRT711

I got my ECU in today and pluged it in and ever since I did that the car works perfect and the fuel pump primes rvry time so thanks for everyones help.