Okay i'll try to decribe this the best i can. I have a 98 Integra LS non vtec. Here and there by car wont want to start. It goes maybe a week without any problems then another week that it won't start at all. It would take me maybe 20-30 minutes sitting there trying to start it. After that amount of time sitting there thats when it will start. My battery terminal was really loose which i replaced with new ones, that worked for awhile but went back to the same thing. I sometimes have to push start it, i changed the spark plugs/wires. I tapped the starter with a hammer to see if that was it, but no luck there. Also it normally happens in the morning in the cold, since its getting a littler warmer in charlotte NC. Later on into the day when it gets warmer it gets easier or less time to start. Also at times it wants to choke while i'm driving and ill have to pull over and sit for awhile then go then its normal. I hope this is enough to get the general idea if there is anything else you need to know let me know. Thanks in advance for the help!

Forgot to mention another thing, my car sometimes smells like gas. Well almost all the time, and everytime i pour gas in it chokes and little before it goes normal.

 

Have you ever changed the starter at all? I would think it's the starter.

 

No I have not, I thought it may be the starter. But taping it a few times did nothing.

 

im gonna have to agree!!! its possible that you may have a "dead" spot in the starter. the fact that you can push start it means that every thing else seems to be working o.k. just a guess tho....

 

I was also thinking. Would the distributor cap/rotor have any role in my situation?

 

Forgot to mention another thing, my car sometimes smells like gas. Well almost all the time, and everytime i pour gas in.. car chokes and little after it goes normal.

 

I assume you mean engine will not crank, [starter not working] or do you mean engine cranks but will not start.

If it is a no crank problem, start by checking the main power and ground connections, not just the batt. terminals, the batt. to chassis ground, [under batt. "box"] chassis to engine ground, [same cable as batt. to chassis ground, connected to bracket on trans-axle]
Check the batt. to starter motor, batt. to engine bay fuse box and the main fuses in the engine bay fuse box, [held in place with screws].

Before doing the above and the next time engine will not crank, try a "bypass jump", unplug the starter lead from starter motor solenoid, use a jumper lead from the batt. to supply power directly to starter lead terminal <<<CAUTION>>> make sure car is not in gear, engine will crank even if clutch is not depressed and ign. switch is off.

If engine cranks when doing a bypass jump, then problem is either the starter relay, CIS, ign. switch or wiring between them. 94

 

When i try to start the car. Coming from the ON position to ign. I get a flat line. No choking sound or anything like that.

 

fcm called it.. bring 12 volts directly to the solenoid and see if it turns over.

If it does, the problem is in the ignition/main relay/ECM food chain.

If it does not, the problem is the starter, battery, battery cables/connections, or the high-current cable to the starter itself (loose/corroded).

If we knew approximately where you were located (general area), perhaps someone nearby could give you a hand). I'm in the Portland OR vicinity, for example.

Good luck

 

Tapping your starter won't do anything. mare than likely its your starter. Loose connections and dirty grounds.

 

This may be dumb, but i "think" i found the solution. While getting fustrated with my car not starting and keep and keep turning the key. I pulled it out on accident in the ON position. Which normally the key shouldn't be able to. So i tried a spare key i got made, and so far it has been starting every time. Anyone know why that would be? Not complaining but kind of weird, hopefully this is the answer and nothing else.

 

The mechanical part of the ign. switch, [tumbler] has nothing to do with the electrical part of the ign. switch, [ign. switch] other then it turns the ign. switch.

Intermittent problems like yours are almost always a connection problem. 94

 

Issues started back up. Not sure if i ever mentioned this but, almost everytime i pour gas it chokes and seems like it wants to shut off. Also while i'm driving it wants to boge down and choke.

 

is the car automatic? it could be the safety neutral switch, had the same problem on a camry i once owned