MrConti

1992 Hatchback Civic Dx D15B7
After recently getting my car back from Honda due to it not starting at all, it starts and runs great. But prior to it starting it goes through this annoying process of not wanting to start.
When I put the car in the ON position, where all the dash lights come on. the fuel pump doesn't prime right away. The CEL stays on until it primes. It takes anywhere from 2-30 minutes before priming, then will start right up. Not exaggerating. And from what I've seen, even letting the car sit for an hour it takes roughly 5 minutes, overnight takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes before the pump kicks on and the CEL goes out. I've tried multiple tests, such as; jiggling the key, firmly hitting under the steering wheel area, wiring the fuel pump directly to the ignition wire (which the fuel pump does turn on but still won't start), and wiring to a constant power supply in which the fuel pump runs but the car still doesn't start.
I've previously had the entire dizzy assembly replaced, main relay, ECU, two wires that were ruined, fuel pump, filter, and spark plugs, by Honda. So I can't say that any of those would be an issue. Please Keep in mind the car does start and run perfectly when it works. It's just really delayed.

My thought is the ignition switch but I'm not entire sure I want to spend more money before finding the culprit.

holmesnmanny

When it's not starting, you need to check for fuel and spark using a spark tester. It's safe to assume it is cranking, right ?

MrConti

Yes it is cranking. I haven't checked for spark before it primes due to the fact of it being unpredictable. I could just have a buddy spray starting fluid//brake cleaner in the intake before it primes, correct?

I just don't understand how before it primes, it doesn't run at all. But after it primes it runs just fine. Fuel IS being pumped before it primes. I checked that by removing the fuel rail feed line while having it on a constant power source.

holmesnmanny

brake cleaner isn't designed to be combustible, just use carb cleaner, i think the issue is low spark, try using a spark tester and check for blue spark, it shouldn't be orange

you might want to check mechanical timing too

MrConti

I wouldn't think that timing would give a car a delayed fuel pump prime. Because once it does run as I said it runs with no issues.. today when I'm off work I'm gonna see if I can try to test it somehow for spark before I go to visit family. If it runs off start fluid then I'm assuming fuel injectors aren't getting the signal from the relay. And go from there ?