i have an 89 ef hatch si. as of lately it starts when it wants to...no matter wut i do. i twist the key from off to start over and over. i got 3 new main relays today, and that wasnt the problem...wiggled all wires around the ignition switch, still nothing. when it does start it smells like gasoline real bad...so i know its getting fuel. spark, dont know what would cause it to start sometimes but not others...help me please! any one

 

ttt please

 

First tip like always, check all your grounds. Actually remove them and scuff them to make sure it's good contact.

I've seen issues with a ignitor or coil where it wouldn't give spark all the time when starting. It was not long before one of them took a dump and just stopped working most of the time to never working at all. I know that doesn't help much, but don't just rule it out since you get it to start at times.

When you do get it to start, does it struggle at all, or just fires right up when it wants?

Could also try another ecu for a short period of time to see if it helps.

 

Just did the ignition switch tests for continuity...all check fine. Checked connections, switched in 4 main relays also. Let is sit while we talked, then it started right up...hesitates lil bit till i give it a lil throttle. Then turned it off and wouldnt start again. Smells heavy of gas after turning it off...Please help me, this is bs

 

bump for the morning

 

Any codes? My 91 civic hb 1.5L has had intermittent starting problems. No CEL. But I decided to check for codes anyway and it is showing code 16 - Fuel injector. I switched main relays also, I'm waiting to see if the problem happens again as I don't know if the codes 16 could be because of the main relay.

 

No CEL

I did some thinking...

the cluster warning lights dont always turn on right away, sometimes i have to wiggle the key a bit before they will. and also the main relay doesnt always turn on. But ive put 4 relays in and all work. So im thinking that the relays arent getting power all the time, and the power is controlled by the ignition switch on the column. that also powers the warning lights on the dash. so perhaps the ign switch is bad inside? becayse i checked continuity and resistance outside...any inputs?

 

I had intermittent no start issues.
Which then turned into intermittent driving down the road and no power issues.
Which then turned into cutting off in the ghetto and having to sit on a crack corner for 10 minutes so it'd start, and thinking i'd die if it didn't start issues.

Turned out to be the ignition switch.
I think a new one was like 40 bucks at auto-junkerrr zone.
gl

Oh... and i figured out it was the switch finally by:
Cranked the engine over (had to keep doing until i got a no run condition) with an inline spark plug tester so i could see the spark jumping. Turned out mine would always spark on startup, but as soon as i let go of the key it would intermittently stop sparking.
I had the misfortune of a 400 buck faulty diagnose of it being dizzy first.
So then i jiggled and fiddled with the key. If i started it, and held the key with a good bit of tension clockwise it'd run fine, as soon as i let off the tension it would die... and i could give it tension again real quick and it'd come back to life.
gl

 

civic dork, im starting to have your problem...how do i replace the starter switch...im looking at it and cant quite figure it out...pics? let me know! thanx