Silentz

Hey guys, I need help.

My 2002 Civic EP3 wouldn't start sometimes but if i waited 30mins to 2hrs, it would start right back up.

The battery is good, bought in 2022. It reads 12.4v not running and 14.67v to 14.7v running.
No check engine light.
I jumped the clutch safety switch with a paper clip and still no start.

I replaced the starter with brand new autozone starter and it happens again about 3 weeks later. I tried to start it every 5-10mins and after about 45mins, it starts up. I took the autozone starter out got it replaced with another new one. It happen again about 2 weeks later and I just got a refund.

My brother has a 2004 Honda Accord that he doesn't use much. I took the Denso starter out of that and put in into my EP3. It works for about 4months and then no start. I took the Denso starter out and put it back in the Accord and my brother drives it no problem for almost 2 years now.

I went to the junk yard and pulled a Reman Denso starter from a base RSX and it's been 8 months then it just happen again a few days ago.

I'm tired of this and wondering if anybody have a similar issue and maybe a fix?

Here's a video of when it wouldn't start. https://imgur.com/a/fHhshy0


Thank you

JRCivic1

Check your starter power wire for any corrosion or damaged stranding. This may be your issue.

95_civic_gsr

What is the CEL code its throwing?

Silentz

The CEL blinks like that but there's no with an OBDII scanner. When it runs, no CEL on the dash either. Everything is normal.

Silentz

I'll do this and might as well check the whole charge harness while at it. Thanks

95_civic_gsr

Sounds like your ECU back up fuse is blown. That allows the ECU to hold a code when you turn the ignition off. Its clearing out every time you turn it off to read the codes.

Silentz

I rechecked all the fuses by pulling them out one by one and did the continuity test. They are all good.

I counted the flashes to 5 times. Google it and found this https://www.clubrsx.com/threads/cel-...-at-ii.668179/

"your manual explains it.. It happens usually when you disconnect your battery,
it means your emissions readiness codes are not set or something like that.
your manual should tell you the steps you have to go through in order to reset those codes and make the flashing CEL go away."

Seems like this happen because I kept fulling the 15A ECU fuse and disconnect/reconnect the battery to check every time it wouldn't start. It seems the code goes away after driving it a bit.