Hey all, new to this site and have an annoying problem. I have an 89 Honda Civic hatchback, the base model with the 1.6 and the 4 speed manual with the dual point injection system. It currently has 66K miles on it and I bought it new for my mom in 89 and when she passed away in 99 it had 22K on it. This is now my wifes car.

The problem is that every once in a while, maybe on average twice a week, the car refuses to start. This ALWAYS happens after the car has been run around for a while and then turned off and has sat for maybe 15-20 minutes. When cold the car starts and runs perfectly and when you are driving it it runs great. When it refuses to start it turns over fine, you can hear the pump come on and then turn off after it builds line pressure, I have a gauge on the fuel line and it has pressure, 40psi, and it does have spark: I have pulled a wire and stuck a plug on during a no start period and have gotten a nice fat blue spark, it just refuses to fire up. You let it sit for another 5- 15 minutes after the no start and she fires up and runs perfectly. In fact it has never 1. stopped while it has been running, 2. failed to start after a waiting period after the no start, 3. failed to start when cold, 4. gotten less that 35+mpg around town. The plug color is a perfect soft tan.

I have tinkered with cars since I was a kid, 30 years ago, and I have to admit this one has me stumped and my manual for the car is no help. I figure there is a ton of Honda knowledge on this site. Any ideas???
Thanks in advance for any help, the wife is getting tired of having her car refuse to start, LOL. Charles

 

try this, might help:

http://www.honda-acura.net/for....html

 

you sure you hear the pump? it sounds like a main relay gone bad