Dekorum

I have a 92 Civic with a B18C and so my problem is that after long trips, sometimes my car does not start back up when I turn it off. For example, if I am driving on the highway for 2 hours and then stop for gas. Once I try to turn the car back on, nothing happens until I keep trying or wait. Sometimes I have to wait less time, sometimes more time. I am thinking it is maybe the ignition switch or the starter. I finally got a video of it happening last night after making a stop on a 4 hour road trip.

I am not sure how to embed video, so I will just post the link.

http://s44.photobucket.com/user/Deko..._1374.mp4.html

Dekorum

Can any one offer any help? Is the video working for everyone?

instrument

My car occasionally does something similar. Everything seems ok, turn the key lights up and everything but starter doesnt make a sound. I keep alligator clips in the car and I can tap the starter to the battery and it fires right up.....then I can turn it off and start it right back up.

s probably only happened 3 times in a year though.

Anyway your vid didnt load for me, but do you still have power? Fuel pump priming? Need info

Dekorum

The video appears to be working, to me. I have power and the fuel pump does prime. I hear maybe one faint click when I turn the key (you can hear it in the video).

Dekorum

I thought the video would make it a lot easier for people to help me out. Any ideas?

n/a2boost

It could be the clutch switch is going bad/not making a connection. It all so could be the starter relay going bad. If those two are good check the connection on the small starter solenoid wire,make sure it's clean and tight.

You can bypass the clutch switch by jumping it. Once jumped if the problem is still there move to the next thing.

All so make sure your grounds are good.


Video doesn't work for me.

Dekorum

I always check and clean my grounds, so those are good. My clutch switch is fine because I try to pump the clutch while I'm turning the key (as you can hear in the video) and it changes nothing. How do I check the starter relay? I have also checked the starter solenoid connections for tightness and cleanliness.

I uploaded the video to youtube, does anyone have any problems viewing it now?

axis11

When the starter wont turn, check if there is battery voltage on the starter power wire and solenoid signal wire. if you have both, have the starter replaced or repaired .

chillerice

Could be distributor, battery/stater connections, Low voltage, could be ignition switch too. or as about clutch switch. Check for spark and also timing on dizzy and timing belt.

Dekorum

Those are cool videos. I am not sure if I should follow these videos completely, because they seem to be mainly for cars that NEVER start. In my case, my car runs beautifully every day. I do not think there is a mechanical issue at all. My issue fixes ITSELF after repetitive key turning.

n/a2boost

Unplug the clutch switch plug and jump it. The switch could be bad and not sending the ground signal to the starter relay. It's free to do just takes some time to get to and you can narrow the problem down by ruling it out. If the car starts no problem then the switch is your problem,test it for a few days to make sure that it is that and not something else.

Dekorum

What would the explanation be as to why the clutch switch just starts working after a few minutes of turning the key?

n/a2boost

The button could be sticking. It's probably the ignition switch. But before spending money it's good to rule things out.

Dekorum

It is difficult to rule things out that way because the problem is so intermittent that it only happens on some longer trips. This means that I would have to wait until I come across the problem again, then be ready to jump the clutch plug.

About the ignition switch, is there actually a part number to replace this?

Dekorum

This issue has not happened in a while, but now it is hot outside and it is starting again. I have ruled out the battery, starter, and the fan relay that was previously part of my problem.

The problem only occurs after I have driven for around 30 minutes or more and the engine is very very warm (usually driving on the highway), the weather outside is very warm, and I try to start up the car again after turning it off and only letting it sit for maybe 10 minutes. If the car sits for about 30 minutes and everything cools down, it will start right up. So just to be clear, this has never happened in the morning when I start the car for the first time in 8+ hours.

Another video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw5k...ature=youtu.be

What is that sound that I hear from my dash when I hold the key in the middle of a turn. Is this a main relay problem??

JarvisW

Keep the key on, and pump the clutch pedal when its acting up..

If you hear it click every time under your foot, then its not the clutch switch. (if not, then it is, jump or get a new plastic button for it from the stealership)(I got 5 for mine and my dads cars lol)(they also do the brake lights, so might as well do both, as mine failed and left the brakes on all night... eh)

The Relay isn't hard to get to, its just under the dash on the driver side. They had a batch, (or all?) of them start to go bad from sloppy soldering. Pop the cover off carefully, and resolder, and that should fix it.

BUT, my car just recently started making a grinding noise as the car started, and eventually it wouldn't turn over the car at all. Once pushed started tho, it would work again.

I took it back to the parts store where I had a lifetime warranty, I had to argue with the clerk when he checked it with the machine that it REALLY WAS BAD and I NEED ANOTHER, he finally gave in, and now it starts twice as fast, no grinding noise, and hasn't skipped a beat since (well, one week so far)

So, do the clutch test, then resolder, as both are free (borrow an iron if need be) then look into a new starter.

GOOD LUCK!

Dekorum

Thanks for the help.

It is not the clutch switch, as I have tried pumping it and it clicks every time. I cant remember if I actually held the key in the turned ON position while pumping it. You can hear the pumping in one of the videos I posted. I resoldered my main relay like 3 years ago. Maybe I need to do it again? Wish there was a way to verify this before blindly redoing it. I am pretty sure the starter is still great.. OEM Honda starters never really die. This is a Mitsuba with the smaller solenoid, not the replaceable contacts.

JarvisW

Well, if OEM didn't die, I wouldn't have needed a new one at 150k and dad need one about 200k.. But whatever

Most times OEM is canon for my car, but when you can get a lifetime warranty starter for about $75 or so with core charge, its worth it. Only a few other things get this, pads, axles, not much tho

TomCat39

Woops wrong thread. My apologies......

tony_2018

Follow procedures next time:

1. Turn the key as if you are trying to start and hold that position.
2. Now step on the clutch and see if you hear a clicking noise coming from the engine
bay
3. If the car still doesn't start you need find something to tap onto the starter or check
the starter/cut relay thats hidden next to the indash fusebox.

Former User

Test the ignition switch - the ON(III) continuity tests.

aka red

double check the crank position sensor

Dekorum

Where exactly can I find the starter cut relay?

I will do the ignition switch continuity tests as soon as the problem occurs again. This is a very difficult problem to diagnose because the issue only occurs a few times every couple of months. Usually when it occurs, I have no tools or test equipment with me because I am in the middle of a long trip.

I honestly doubt it is my starter because this only happens when it is hot outside and my engine is warm as well. It sounds more like the main relay solder joints because it gets affected by heat. I am not sure if the ignition switch can be this intermittent.

Former User

Would not cause a no-crank problem.

It can.

JarvisW

Relay joints caused mine to not crank a few years ago. Or it fixed itself once I touched em up...

At least its easy to try and free.

Good luck

EDIT(Now that I think about it, I can't remember if it wasn't turning over, or wasn't firing) Hmm.. still