pho iz good

So a week ago, I had to store my car in a friend's place for a week. This was outdoor parking. When I came to pick it up today.....The car wouldnt start. I heard the starter trying to start....I hear the motor trying to start and everything so I dont think it was the battery but the car wouldnt just completely start. It'll just crank...and then thats it. So my friend helps me.....he disengages the clutches...and at the same time...presses the gas pedal....and then tries to crank the cars and boom....the car starts to come alive....he tries a second time and the car starts as he revves.

I am wondering what is this called and is this bad for my car? Why did I have trouble starting in the first place? Was somethin wrong? IS this a sign that something maybe malfunctioning and that I should fix this so it doesnt get worse?

My friend told me its because I left my car there for a week without starting it and everything and the weather has been cold. I dont know if that is true or now since I am not a mechanic or anything.

rick_rabies

it depends how old your car and parts and maintance is.
it could be spark, (bad plugs, wires, corroded terminals in dizzy cap etc)
it could be fuel (old fuel pump giving out, gunked up injectors)
these are the basics always check these. replace old parts. and check ecu fuse and relays.

300whpej

did you get your battery tested? my guess is alternator/starter/lose(bad) wires

pho iz good

i dont think it was the battery, I tried jump starting the battery with another car and the car still wouldnt start. My friend had to come out and press clutch and gas at the same time for the car to be started. after that...the car seems to be starting normally now....its been 1 day and everything seems fine..althought Im just trying to take preventive measures so that this doesnt happen again.

its a 1999 honda civic ex 4dr MT. only has 120K miles.

i live downtown sf so I dont think doing these maintence myself is a solution. and this was the FIRST time my car had done this.

Former User

Was the gas level low and near empty? Civics are notorious for being difficult to start on a low tank. This can be avoided if you turn the key to ON(II) and let the fuel pump fully prime before turning the key to ON(III).

pho iz good

I had at least half a tank left in my civic....