Ever since I bought my car, I had starting issues if I kill my engine during a clutch engagement in 1st gear, esp on warm/hot days like today. When this happens, I cannot start the car again. Usually after about 5-10 minutes of trying or just waiting, it'll start and I can drive away. During that time, cranking the car will do nothing and if I get lucky, it'll start and die after a second or two. When the car cranks aways, I cannot hear the fuel pump turn on when ignition is "ON" (before start). When the car does run for a sec, I can hear the fuel pump come on before starting it (i assume the fuel pump promptly shuts off after that).

The fuel pump itself seems fine because the car never dies when I'm driving it. What switch or solenoid controls the fuel pump?

I don't think it's the clutch switch, but I haven't eliminated it. This is one of the only issues with this car that causes me to pull my hair out (sans the smog issue I'm going through right now to get NOx levels down).

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks,
Gary

Ps. this is on a '93 Civic VX, manual.

 

Anyone?!?

 

I thought "egr maybe". Then i figured "EGR probably" when you said you were having NOX problems.

Does your car have an EGR valve? I dont think civics do....maybe the automatic ones?

NOX is caused by high combustion cylinder temps. Fuel cools the cylinders while running lean will heat the cylinders. Timing problems could also cause this.

Make sure the car is getting enough fuel.

Make sure the distributor is good and you are using the correct spark plugs for the application.

 

VX's have EGR valves and tunnels that go from exhaust to intake that clog easily, but I'm not sure how this will affect the starting issue.

Gary