I bought a 1987 Civic Si about three months ago.. I have had about 5 offers for it since. It has running great until about a month and a half ago. It has a 1.5L fuel injection engine (I think ZC). I was driving home one day and the engine cut off.. To me it seemed that the fuel seemed to cut off to the engine completely.. It wouldn't start what so ever after i got it out of the road.. I went back later that night it started right up.. I have changed the distributor cap and rotor button.. It ran fine for about a week.. It starts when it wants to.. When it does start it runs like nothing is wrong.. To me it seems to be an electrical problem, a messed up ECU, a sensor, or fuel injector problem.

I have asked many ppl opinions

Junk in the gas tank
Bad ignitor coil
Fuel filter (changed it twice)
Bad spark plug wires
Fuel pump (but why would it work some of the time?)

No one seems to be helping.

I checked the self diagnostic on the ecu and it seems that its either not working right or it doesn't reconize the problem.. Whatever the problem is it seems minor, its just finding it. The honda place wants $65/hr just to look at it (no way).

If anyone has had this happen to them or knows what is wrong help would be appreciated.

~Jesse


Modified by Alchemist Dragon at 2:04 AM 10/8/2005

 

http://www.redpepperracing.com is dedicated to 84-87 civics/crx's. it could be any of those things you listed. if your car is sohc its the stock ew engine. if its dohc its either the d16a1 or a zc. i know i had problems with gunk in my tank. is the filter dripping nasty crap when you take it off? mine had rusty sludge and water in it. if water is in your tank then it could do that.

 

also might wanna check out http://www.ef-honda.com

good source for all old school civic/crx's

 

Thanx... I am sorta new at working out kinks in cars.... I just got the means to learn about my car.. Never really had anyone to show me "the ropes" per say... I will look into those sites and see if i can get alittle more help.. Really wouldn't mind to meet a few ppl around here that know what they are talking about.
~Jesse

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alchemist Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It starts when it wants to.. When it does start it runs like nothing is wrong.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Does it have spark when it's acting up? How about fuel presure?

 

I did check the spark... It has one which is what is weird... As for fuel pressure it seems fine but i have no way of checking out everything.. I'm on a very tight bugdet to the point where rent is over due.. I'm on a college students budget and I have no income at the moment... If I could get my car working right that would change...

More info on my Civic:

1987 HONDA CIVIC 1500 SI L4 1.5L FI

 

Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the on possition? (when it's acting up)

 

does it not start when its warm?

 

You can hear the fuel pump clearly... The pgm-fi light somes one as well (indicating that the engine is priming)...

After I change the distributor cap and button it ran fine for about a week, then nothing..
As of yesterday though it quit running completely... You can hear the fuel pump fine (just went and checked it).

I'm think that there is a short in the electrical/ignition somewhere.. It tends to not want to run when wet or after it is ran for a while... Considering its my only forum of transportation, i'm stuck.. Eventually i want to trick it out a bit.. My first project ever..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alchemist Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'm think that there is a short in the electrical/ignition somewhere.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
You said it had spark earlier. Is it a good strong blue spark?

 

I haven't really had the chance to check it yet... My gfs kid is in town and well... That leaves no time.. I have been talking to the guys from RedPepperRacing and I am hearing that they think its the igniter.. I will check the spark as soon as I get the chance..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alchemist Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I haven't really had the chance to check it yet... </TD></TR></TABLE>
Make up your mind will you.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alchemist Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I did check the spark... It has one which is what is weird... </TD></TR></TABLE>
Just going to run around in circles without getting straight answers.

 

I did check the spark but that was a few weeks ago.... As for a strong blue color thats what I really didn't pay attention to. Thats what i meant by it... sorry for confusing you..