So here it is, I've got a 98 GSR - I bought it around 3 years ago.

1 year after I bought it, it started having problems where it would not start for 10-15 minutes after I turn the car off if it was on a hot day. So before even searching in here, I swapped dizzys with my friend, and the problem kept occuring for me.

So I started reading here and found out about the main relay problem that a lot of people get. So I unbolted it, changed it and din't bolt it back, it's hangning so I can take it away with me (super anti theft device lol). I also bought a new battery at the same time.

Everything worked fine for a week, then the problem started coing back again... and the relay is brand new and fine. So yesterday, my GSR crossed the line: it was the hottest day so far in the summer that's just starting and my car wouldn't start for the first time in the day after I came back from work.

It NEVER did that before, ok it would not start after it's being turned off but now, it was the first time of the day I would attempt to start it, which never failed in the past. My main relay was in my house prior to me trying to start the car, so it wasn't even close to hot. I hooked it up.. felt it click when I turned my key to ON, but the car would not start, with no weird symptoms - just not starting.

I gave up after a few attemps, my friend came and pick me up. Around midnight when he took me back home and it was getting less hot a little, I tried to start it and it did start in one shot.

Looks like my GSR doesn't appreciate the heat..... and it's not the main relay, can someone help me? Please... I'm getting tired of this crap, but I want to keep my teg, I'm not giving up!

 

umm i might say that when i had my civic and it was turboed when the head gasket blew it would have a really hard time starting when the car was hot or when it was hot outside but when it was cold it ran fine.... so give that a good ol check

 

I know I'm just an amateur but wouldn't I get more grave symptoms if my head gasket would be busted? Leaking oil or something?

Thanks for your time!

 

BUMP - Any input would be appreciated.

 

Does it wind at all? Or doesn't it do anything at all when you turn the key.

 

Do you have a spare ecu to swap out? just a suggestion.

I feel your pain.

 

It's as if it would start... it cranks and I hear the fuel pump just before upon turning the car to ON... but when I attempt to start it it cranks as if it's about to start but simply doesn't.

Thanks

 

I guess I could put my hands on one... any way to troubleshoot an ECU if I don't?

I know for a fact I can have an 98 Civic SI ECU wosrt case scenario, would that be a problem to use for a week or two? I guess a lot of settings would change...

Thanks

 

ok so you have spark, possibly fuel......what about air? is your filter clogged? what about the air intake sensor.....or o2 sensor? try cleaning those, could be giving bad signals to ecu.......or try the temp sensor could be giving bad signasl to ECu as well.......dont know if that will help but you can try.....

 

Loose connection on the dizzy for the plug wires???

You should be ok on si ecu to try it but I wouldn't play hero with it if it does start the car.

 

Actually it does help a lot, thanks. I didn't change/clean my air filter for a year or so now - such lazyness. Serves me right if it's been the cause of my problem all along.

I have access to the ALLDATA software at some shop so I'll be able to find where those sensors are but.. you can clean those? I'm puzzled, never played around with sensors but I want to learn.

Also on top of that, is there any way to troubleshoot a stock ECU? or to look at it's logs. Do the shop's mini computers that plug into the ECU to read check engine codes have the ability to look at logs and such? If so, I have a friend who's father owns a shop and he probably would not even charge me for this...

Thanks again

 

don depend on that main relay to prevent car thefts, theives carry main relays with them.

 

and I carry a crowbar

but also, I've got a very paranoiac alarm/antitheft system.

 

There is a way to check stock ecu but its tedious and requires an extensive harness.

Better to just check with another one.

You won't be able to log anything unless you have obd2 and the honda reader from a dealership or something like it. Those datalog and are badass.

Maybe you have a group of spiders in your intake manifold.

 

Something similar happen to my integra when I had it. The car was running great one day, and the following day when I was about to go to work. I tried to turn my car on, and I got nothing.

It turned out to be my igniter coil in the dizzy. I got that replaced, and it started up with no problem.

 

It could be your ignition coil.