89 civic won't start.
 

I have searched and I'm at a complete loss.

My 89 civic won't start. Cranks but nothing. I'm getting fuel and spark. I've checked the main relay. I even resoldered the connections. I have checked the ecu and I only get one blink from the code led. The firing order is correct because I haven't done anything to that. It went from running to nothing. Here is where is gets wierd. Every great once in a while it will start. runs good till I kill it. Then its over. Won't start again. relay clicks, fuel pumps and plugs spark. What am I missing? Right now I am going to check my timing. I hope its not the belt!

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

your relay clicks? um i thought it would only click if it was bad and wasn't woking...

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

I should click once when you turn on the key right?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Ok the clicking noise is the solenoid on the starter making contact to feed power to the starter.

the initial blink on the ecu, just varifies the ecu is working.

i say you get your battery tested

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Ok Battery is good due to the fact that I took it out of my working car when I ran the original one down trying to start it.

Main relay, I can hold it in my hand, turn on the key, and it will click once.
My battery and starter are fine. Like I said in my fisrt post, It cranks but won't start.

Also timing belt and timing is fine. My last hope is the ignitor. I hope this is the last thing I have to try!

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Have you checked the cables to make sure there isnt any corrosion on them?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

get a new main relay, i tried resoldering my relay connections and it didnt do shit. got a new relay and it fired right up.

tried checking what code the ecu is throwing?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Yeah, ECU says everything is fine. No corrosion. I've tried a junkyard main relay and nothing. Had the ingntor tested today and its fine. At a total loss. My mind is turning to jelly here. could I have spark if the pick-up coil is bad?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

did you check your starter?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Yes your spark could be weak and if you crank it over to much you could wash down the cylinders with gas, also check plugs, cap, rotor button and wires.

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

Have you tested your coil?

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

get an external coil.much better than the stock one.im almost havin the same problem you;re havin but my 89 sedan dies while drivin and no power nowhere.its drivin me crazy.

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

oh, have you pulled your dizzy cap off? sometimes the screw holding the rotor on can fall off which would cause it.. happened to my friends ef once.

Re: 89 civic won't start.
 

I have not checked the coil. I got spark so I thought it was ok. I may try that tomorrow.
I didn't even think about washing out the plugs. I tried to remove them but only got one to turn. So now I'm scared to try to remove the other three. Afraid I might break them or they are seized up and I could ruin the head. Now what?