I've noticed, my 96 EX seems to take a couple seconds extra to crank when the fuel level is low. I don't run the car out of fuel, but down to the point that it takes about ten gallons to fill - indicated about 1/8 mark on the gauge. It is like cranking a car with a bad check valve in the pump, but the problem does not exist when the car has more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. Thinking the original pump might be going bad (with 15 yrs and 145k on it, why not!) I replaced it with a Denso stock fp with strainer. The old pump looked great, clean strainer, no corrosion, but the car acted excactly as it had before, just on that last crank before I went to fill it up. Does this happed to anyone else?

 

This is a common well known issue. Both of my Civics do this. Not much to worry about. If this bothers you, when the tank is low on gas, turn the key to ON(II) to let the fuel pump fully prime before you try to start the engine. Should fire right up after a full prime.

 

yaa my civic does that too so now i ways do what he said and turn the key to on for a couple of secs and starts up good everytime