Hi, my bother in-law called me today about his '91 Civic, I'm going to go over Monday and help him...
The problem he is having is 75% of the time (started this week, and it has been really hot) the car is hard to start, dosen't matter if it's in the morning or 10 secs after he shut it off.
He said if he keeps cranking the motor it runs but dies if he lets off the key. So I searched and I belive this is the main relay going bad... but what confuses me is, he said if he gives it gas and gets the rpm's up he can let go of the key... and if he can keep it running for a about a minute he can then let off the gas and it will be fine..

I'm thinking if it's the relay that wouldn't matter and it would die when he let go of the key.

???? I'm hoping it is the relay and I can take it out and resolder it... but I have a feeling maybe it's something else...

Whould you be able to keep it running by giving it gas?


Modified by theewraith at 3:42 AM 7/31/2006

 

It might be the main relay. I once bump started mine when the relay didn't feel like working and it pumped air for a bit like it was engine braking and then the fuel kicked in. I'd just swap the relay or pop it open and resolder the connections just to make sure.

 

I'm hoping that's it... is the ground for this also on the termostat housing... I think I read on hear somewhere that that could also be a issue.

Also, if it was the main relay wouldn't it affect if after it running (like driving down the road?) He said the car is shuting down or giving him problem while driving.

 

could also be the ign switch.

To check the relay use the click (sound) test that should correspond w/ the CEL coming on and the fuel pump, if it passes that test move on to something else.

my ign switch problem was it would prime fine, start, but as soon as i let go of the key it goes back too far and shuts the car off. replaced and been fine since

 

I don't think that's it, he says if he rev the car up, keeps his foot on the gas he can let go of the key and it stays running, after about 30-60 secs it's fine, and he can let off the gas.

 

I also just found out, that the main relay was replaced in this car about 4 years ago..

I'm going after work to look @ it... what else should I look for???

 

ok, I went over and checked it out, but as you would figure, it started up fine every time.

But I did read the ECM and it has a cade #15 stored (no ignition signal)

What should I look for? I have a haynes and it has the testing info for the coil, ignotor ect. but I don't think that would do any good if it's working...

 

i had a problem liek this befor i had a friend do this for me and it was the vacuum pressure so iono that could be worth a shot

 

Would the code 15 be the ignitor?

Would the main relay every cuase this code? From what I think I gathered it won't.

Would a bad coil do this?


Modified by theewraith at 5:20 AM 8/2/2006

 

anyone? Help please...