1988 Civic Not Always Starting

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Oct 8, 2007 | 07:10 PM

buzlink

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1988 Civic Not Always Starting

A friend of mine has a 88 Civic that doesn't always want to start.

He stated that he recently replaced the Fuel Pump.

The problem is that, sometimes the car starts and other times it doesn't. The only real way to get the car to start is to prime the car with some gas, then it usually starts right up.

What could be causing the problem? What are some things to check?

Oct 8, 2007 | 07:18 PM

alscrx

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From: NY

Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (buzlink)

Check your install,

Whats the fuel pressure with ignition key turned on but engine off????? Can you hear the pump prime with the turn of the key???

Oct 8, 2007 | 09:41 PM

buzlink

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Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (alscrx)

I'll have to ask the person to check.

Any other things to look out for?
Can a failing main relay cause this. I know I similiar problem and I believe that is what I replaced on my car to fix the problem.

Thanks

Oct 9, 2007 | 04:29 AM

alscrx

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From: NY

Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (buzlink)

Yes its possible, But odd to happen right after installing new pump

Oct 9, 2007 | 07:47 AM

buzlink

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Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (alscrx)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alscrx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes its possible, But odd to happen right after installing new pump</TD></TR></TABLE>
I believe my friend installed the pump to see if that was causing the problem. Not that installing the fuel pump fixed the problem.

Oct 9, 2007 | 07:56 AM

65stang90crx

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From: Newark, Ohio, USA

Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (buzlink)

Did he put the boot on the bottom of the pump like he should have? This little boot is very important and you might want to ask him about it.

Oct 9, 2007 | 08:28 AM

buzlink

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Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (65stang90crx)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 65stang90crx »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did he put the boot on the bottom of the pump like he should have? This little boot is very important and you might want to ask him about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks
I will ask about the boot.

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Oct 9, 2007 | 08:37 AM

Duane_in_Japan

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From: Tachikawa Shi, Tokyo, Japan

Re: 1988 Civic Not Always Starting (buzlink)

He will need to verify if it in fact is getting fuel at the time of a no start or has weak spark or no spark, he should buy an adjustable spark tester and have a way to verify fuel flow during cranking.

Its either a main relay for no fuel or a distributor, coil, ignitor problem for no or weak spark, should not be difficult to figure it out with some help from here.