Import_spoon

I just got this 92 Honda Civic swapped with a Semi built JDM B16A from a guy. When I got it everything worked fine, drove fine. After a day later I kept getting a click everytime I try to started. I try to restart it and it would fire up. A few hours later I tried again and it click but this time it won't start. Pounded on the starter and it started up normal again. When I was pounding the starter I didn't unplug anything. When I was pounding on the starter it sparked at the positive on the starter. Very little sparks only. The ground for the transmission also had sparks . Next day I tried and it clicked again, pounded it again and now it cranks but no start. So I took the starter off and got it checked and it passed. No more clicking but it doesn't start no more. Just basiclly the car doesn't start anymore. It cranks very strong and I checked spark, fuse, main relay,grounds,fuel filter, and timing belt. They were all good. Before that the car was almost out of gas below E before I parked it. I got gas for it and still wouldn't start. It cranks very strong but just won't catch. The car has a brand new battery. The previous owner ran it without a intake so would that have affect on the starting problem? Also the car always idle at 500-600 rpm always. It wouldn't stall or anything but just idles really low. Also sounds like it has performance cams but it only has Type R cams. When I try to start the car the RPM likes to jump from 1k to 3k back and forth like crazy. What other suggestions do you guys have for me. Do you guys think that the cat is clogged? I don't have any CEL also.

Cliff notes
Cranks strong but doesn't catch
Checked spark,fuse, main relay,grounds,to see if it is getting fuel, and timing belt
before idle at 500-600 Rpm only
Was at E for fuel but put in new gas
Brand new battery
NO CEL lights

Just checked for a clug cat today but its not clug either and the distributor is still good.

Thats all I can think of now. What do you guys think is wrong with my car? Let me know your positive suggestions.

98civdx

did you check the flywheel and see if the teeth are messed up?

Import_spoon

It shouldn't be because before the car ran perfectly fine. No grinds or pop outs and when I was installing the starter I can fell the teeth still in there.

Former User

1) Replace the starter.

2) Does the fuel pump prime? If not, check whether fuses 31, 24, or 18 are blown.

NOman0608

Ground? Thermo ground.

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

x2 on grounds, especially the one on the Thermostat housing. Seen this ground produce all symptoms you are describing.

Import_spoon

I got a working starter off a friend and still have the same symtoms. Yes fuel pump primes. I don't think there are fuses 31. Fuel is being sent to injectors. I took out the spark plugs today and I can see little fuel on the spark plugs. Which mean I am getting gas.

Import_spoon

Guess what guys my Integra just started doing the same thing today too. Sucks because I am left with no car now. Got to get one of them working soon.

Import_spoon

The grounds were never touched. The only ground that was touch was the one by the transmission but I put that one back in its original spot. Still no starting. Checked distributor and still works good.

Former User

What color is spark at the plugs? Is it bright white or weak orange or deep blue?

Post pictures of the cam and crank at TDC1.

Check cylinder compressions.

5speeder

double check your groundings, ground all groundings!!!! make sure that the wires arent loose cuz bad grounding will cause your motor to not start but will still allow it to crank. Jump the starter also just to double check it. Also make sure you're using correct ecu for correct fuel/air flow.

Import_spoon

I don't know if I would consider it a bright white but it was a little spark. It doesn't spark until you starting knocking on the chassis otherwise if you just let it sit there, there is no spark. Could taking the car up to 9k fried the distributor? I know its not making power up there but was just testing the Type R cams. I regulary only take it to 8k considering its only a B16. Will take pictures of the cam and crank at TDC1 tomorrow.

Import_spoon

Will double check all groundings. Don't know where all the grounds are but only places I know are valve cover to raidator support, transmission to chassis and thermostat ground and thats all I know. How do you jump the starter? ECU I am using its a P72 chipped. Before that car ran fine It just likes to idle at 500-600 RPM.

Former User

What does this mean? Does the fuel pump also fail to prime unless you "knock on the chassis"? If the only problem is lack of spark, then pull the coil and igniter unit out the distributor and test them.

Import_spoon

NO the fuel pump works fine. I don't have to knock on the chassis. I will test the coil and igniter tomorrow.

Import_spoon

Ok heres some update guys. If I have the E-brake down and I try to crank it the E-brake lights turns on but as soon as I stop cranking it, the E-brake light turns off. If I have the E-brake on then of course the light is on all the time. It functions the way its suppose to anyways. Maybe thats a sign?

Import_spoon

bump

5speeder

try a different ecu, i know my car had problems starting up once because i used a wrong ecu, what specs do you have in your chipped ecu? make sure the specs are for the right size injectors. what size injectors do you have? i know i had too big of injectors and my chiped ecu was for smaller injectors, so my car didnt start. if the car cranks then its got nothing to do with starter,distributor,sparkplug, gotta be your groundings, redo the groudings, dont just double check them.