gigigirrl

Our civic LX has to crank for several seconds before it will start. The check engine light not on and no codes. It has a good battery and spark. What I'm leaning towards is a fuel problem. I changed the fuel filter and fuel pump. I still have the same condition. It seems to only have this problem if the car sits for an extended period of time.(like overnight) Maybe a slow pressure leak somewhere? I don't have a gauge to check this.
After the car has set overnight, I cracked open the fuel line at the fuel rail. I didnt notice any pressure in the line. After it has run for a while, and I shut it off, I crack open the line and I get some spray and pressure. I checked for vacuum at the Fuel Pressure Regulator and it is good. How can you test to see if it is bad?
I have recently replaced the Plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I'm not sure how to tell if the coil is going bad. I am going to check the Battery load test soon.

This is a detailed listing of the problem. What i used it do was push the clutch turn the key - car starts let go of key. Now its hold the key a few more seconds- let go- engine tries to start - I have to repeat that once or twice. It won't start at all if i just hold the key turned, plus this happens whenever, temp doesn't matter. I have tried turning the key in position to activate the pump. The tank is half to 3/4 full. He put Heet in yesterday. In the past 3 months i have made about 5 trips to a neighboring state - about 400 round trip each. He thought it might be possible i got bad gas- with water. the problems started after the last trip. This part of the prob has been happening for about 3 weeks. The following prob has been going on for about the last 5 days. Once it starts and we are driving it chugs intermittently. If i happen to be stopped when it chuggs it dies. Once I have drove for 3-5 miles it stops chugging and i dont have any problems. I can park and be gone from the car even 3 hours and it will start right away. Its only from a cold start that we have this problem.

Former User

You might want to check the resistance of the 2-wire coolant temperature sensor located below the distributor.

You might also consider compression testing the cylinders. Are you burning oil?

gigigirrl

no its not burning oil. but we will check the other possibilities tonight.

gigigirrl

I checked the coolant temp sensor and it was ok. I have checked the spark again and it isnt firing now. I tested all the wires for spark. I tested the primary on the coil and came up with 0.9ohms. The book says range is 0.63 - 0.77 ohms. The secondary test was 16.9 with the range being 12.8 - 19.2. I replaced the cap and rotor with new ones also. I may test the ignition switch, clutch switch,

Former User

The primary test is out of range. You might want to replace the coil.

gigigirrl

I got a new coil from honda and tested it, it was in range. I installed it and checked for spark... nothing. This is driving me crazy.

thizboii

check the ignitor in the distributor... and for the fuel pressure problem, you may have a small leak coming from your injectors. it may be Leaking into the manifold while sitting over night and that will cause you to lose pressure.

Former User

As mentioned above, have the ICM/igniter tested. Also double check your coil installation. Are the wires correctly installed and tight? Do you have battery voltage on the Blk/Yel wire attached to the coil and ICM when the key is turned to ON(II)?

95jeremie

to rule out the clutch safety switch just run a jumper wire and try it from a cold start.
compression test results?

when you don't have spark just trace it back to see where you do have spark
find the brake in the chain

did you loose spark after replacing the coil???
check fuses you could have grounded it out during the install...
not saying anything negative but **** happens

pick up a Haynes manual and it will save you a lot of time

just some ideas GL

gigigirrl

It was the igniter. I have another civic that has the same igniter and swapped it out. the car fired right up. Now i have to get a new one. $80 - $120. Oh joy. But it beets not having a car. Thankx for all your help. :-)

Joshua Rogers

Aye it may be the fast idle thats on these cars. Basically it tells the car to give the motor or air or less. I’m having the same problem on my B20.