2004 Civic, won't start when first cranked. On second try, the car starts and runs fine after that. I assume it is an issue with the fuel supply but not sure since it runs fine after starting.

 

Check fuel pressure. It should be right around 40psi. If low pressure, replace the fuel pump and filter.

 

Are you allowing the fuel pump to pressurize the system before attempting to start the car, or are you just turning the key from Off to Start?

 

do you have a key bypass installed? mine did that too...and the shop just had to reinstall the bypass unit...

 

I don't wait for the system to pressurize when turning the key. I've never heard that mentioned as a necessary step. Is there something different about Hondas since I haven't done this with any other car that I've owned? Shouldn't the fuel system maintain pressure when the car is off so that you don't have to wait for it to pressurize when turning the key?

 

I'm not familiar with a key bypass. Can you explain its purpose and usage? I'm not the original owner of the car and can't answer your question. How evident is it that there is a key bypass unit installed?

 

Well what happend with mine was I had a compustar arlarm installed and due to bad installation...the bypass unit i guess couldn't read my chip key properly...so when i tried to start the car...all it did was crank...then I would have to do it a second or third time...then it worked...until i brought it back to the shop and got them to i guess reinstall/flash the bypass unit...then it worked fine...

 

Yeah, the fuel system maintains some pressure, but I usually wait for the fuel pump to stop humming before I try starting the car. 4.5 years and 40k miles later, I've never had a FTS.