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HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

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Old 12-21-2011, 05:37 PM
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Icon3 HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

HELP! Just got a 1991 Honda Civic wagon and it was running like a champ for the first two weeks (no problems at all) but then all of a sudden the car wont start anymore.

When I try to start it the car wont even do a noise at all ... not even a crank its like if the engine is dead but all the electronics work (radio, automatic door belts, all lights) and have no check engine light on.

I checked all the fuses and they are all fine. Also I changed the main relay and battery and still nothing

Any suggestions on what can be the problem?
Old 12-21-2011, 05:57 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Could be the igniter in the distributor?....good luck.
Old 12-21-2011, 06:44 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Neutral safety switch?
Old 12-21-2011, 08:51 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Where is the Neutral safety switch ? crvtectim
Old 12-21-2011, 09:01 PM
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Icon3 Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

does it crank? if not Then its your starter. Try banging or hitting it. It should start right up.
If it cranks. Check for spark.
No spark then its your distributor.
Old 12-21-2011, 09:04 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

It has no crank ... and I tried hitting it but still nothing -___-
Old 12-21-2011, 09:31 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

auto/5spd? if its 5sp it might be the clutch sensor. some dont have em but my 91 civic does. if that sensors bad itll be like not hitting the clutch when u try to start it. think its near the clutch peda; but i cant say for sure. never had to mess with them on hondas

auto it might be the neautral switch. its at the shifter itself i belive.

other then those it can be a bad starter or the wire that runs to the starter.
Old 12-21-2011, 10:28 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

To test the starter get some wire hook it to the starter and touch the other end to the pos battery post if it doesnt turn the starters bad. I put a starter button on my 91 always starts.
Old 12-21-2011, 10:36 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

your starter needs replacing.
Old 12-21-2011, 10:38 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by skill178
auto/5spd? if its 5sp it might be the clutch sensor. some dont have em but my 91 civic does. if that sensors bad itll be like not hitting the clutch when u try to start it. think its near the clutch peda; but i cant say for sure. never had to mess with them on hondas

auto it might be the neautral switch. its at the shifter itself i belive.

other then those it can be a bad starter or the wire that runs to the starter.
Its 5SPD .. how does the clutch sensor look like ?
Old 12-21-2011, 10:40 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by rd91sib18c5r
To test the starter get some wire hook it to the starter and touch the other end to the pos battery post if it doesnt turn the starters bad. I put a starter button on my 91 always starts.
Is that like a kill switch ?
Old 12-22-2011, 04:08 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by jdm.boi408
Where is the Neutral safety switch ? crvtectim




Just follow your clutch pedal up and you should be able to find it. Many times the rubber stopper that presses against the switch breaks off and ends up in your floorboard. If that's the case for you, use your finger to press the end of the switch in and try starting the car. MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN NEUTRAL!
The car will crank in gear with the switch bypassed.
Old 12-22-2011, 11:08 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Thanks crvtectim ... ima check if thats the problem
Old 12-22-2011, 11:54 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

If it is a 5sp.

Check on the floor board for little blue pieces of rubber.

The look at where the clutch switch is located. If it goes through the hole in the pedal assembly then the little rubber piece is missing and will not let you start.

Pretty easy to fix with 10mm bolt or using the factory rubber part.

It is same as the brake pedal switch stopper.
Old 12-22-2011, 05:37 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

could also be a bad ground on the starter. No circuit, no power.
Old 12-22-2011, 08:50 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

yea i don't see a distributor problem as someone stated, more than likely its a bad ground some where if its not cranking.
Old 12-23-2011, 05:42 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by jdm.boi408
Thanks crvtectim ... ima check if thats the problem
No problem. Any updates?
Old 12-26-2011, 05:55 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

I been checking it and its not the Neutral safety switch
Old 12-27-2011, 04:00 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Ok, I'm starting to suspect a bad ignition now. The tumbler inside wears with time. Eventually, it cannot complete the 12v circuit needed to start the car.
Old 12-27-2011, 11:10 AM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by crvtectim
Ok, I'm starting to suspect a bad ignition now. The tumbler inside wears with time. Eventually, it cannot complete the 12v circuit needed to start the car.
Yeah it might be that now ... And it looks like its the original starter
Old 12-27-2011, 12:17 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

You can see if the starter is capable by turning the ignition to on, with the car in neutral, and jumping the hot to ground on the starter. I've been stuck having to do so before with a screwdriver lol. It works though, unless your starter is bad.
Old 12-27-2011, 01:16 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Anyone suggest hitting the starter with a hammer a couple times yet?
Old 12-27-2011, 04:29 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

check all grounds?
Old 12-28-2011, 05:48 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

Originally Posted by whited
Anyone suggest hitting the starter with a hammer a couple times yet?
he already tried

Originally Posted by acmoc
check all grounds?
and x2. thats what I said
Old 12-28-2011, 08:49 PM
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Default Re: HELP! 1991 Honda Civic Wagon starting problem !

ignition switch too


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