Hi folks,

I'm having a problem with my 89 Civic. As of the last few days, most times I start the car, it turns over and starts, but then it turns off immediately. It's kind of hard to tell it's happened sometimes, because the car runs pretty quietly. Luckily, I'm always able to make it stay started after a few tries.

Any ideas what's wrong? The check engine light came on once, but it hasn't come on again so I can look at the little LED code.

It may have to do with temperature, because it suddenly became very cold here a few days ago, and that seems to be when the problem started.

 

try swapping in a battery with a higher cold crank rating, cause you probably have something with like 435, put something in closer to 500 and see if that helps!

 

Check the code. Might be a 16.

Anyway, I'd suspect the ignition switch first, then the main relay.

 

Main relay, i had same **** happen to me. Car got to maybe 500rpm and the needle dropped and shut off right away. It happened on and off, then suddenly all the time when it got cold out.

Wouldn't be battery cause it cranks,and starts. Rest is up to alternator.
Wouldn't be ingition switch cause car turns over.

 

fuel pump?

 

The typical failure mode of the ignition switch is the engine will turn over but die immediately when the key is returned to the "run" position.