So my 90 civic LX sedan with a D16Z6 swap won't start. I'm baffled, here are the symptoms:

-Swap has been in the car and running fine since february, but just recently did a headgasket. Timing belt reinstalled and timed properly.
-Won't crank
-Wont start with a push start (tried multiple times, usually it is very easy to push start)
-Battery is fine, tried charging it, tried jumping it, tried another battery
-All accessories, lights, signals turn on fine
-Stays above 12 volts while attempting to start
-Battery ground is clean and good
-Check engine light comes on, goes off like it should - no current or stored engine codes
-Tried a known good ECU
-Engine isn't frozen and rotates freely
-The small terminal on the starter is connected securely
-Fuel pump primes and fuel system gets full 40+ psi of pressure and holds for quite a while after turning the car completely off.
-When you turn the key to start, you hear a relay click, but that is about it.
-No blown fuses

Seriously, i'm completely and utterly stumped. If someone has another idea, i'd greatly appreciate it. I have nothing to go on right now. It seems like it may be multiple problems? I've always either been able to crank it, or push start it. Never neither. Even ideas on things to try would be appreciated.

Help!

 

since you say this car can be pushed to start i'm guessing it's stick. if it is check the clutch pedal.theres a little rubber that pushes the clutch pedal switch in. might have falling out from old age.

 

the car CANNOT be started by pushing it and dropping the clutch

 

oh sorry didn't see that...did you check for spark?

 

It doesn't crank. I don't see why there would be any spark.

At this point the only thing I can think to do is remove the starter and have it tested. I strongly suspect its fine and isn't the root of the issue, based on my symptoms.

 

you can test the starter in the car. just unplug the little connector on the starter make sure the car is not in gear , and get a little piece of wire and run one side to the positive of the battery and the other end to the starter were you unplug the calbe from. if it cranks the starter is fine.

 

Thanks, I will try that. But for the sake of brainstorming (because I suspect it will test out fine) any other ideas?

 

Are the plug wires installed in the correct firing order?

Check all engine ground wires. Is the G3 transmission ground disconnected, loose, or corroded?

Have you tested the starter motor?

OBD0 or OBD1 ECU/wire harness?

 

if voltage stays above 12v while attempting to crank then it sounds like a wiring issue. check all fuses, grounds, relays nd applicable connections. dnt rule out the starter until its tested. quick way to do that is jump the starter as stated above. connect the wire goin to the solenoid, while still plugged in, to battery power. if it cranks, it somewhere in the wiring. if it doesnt crank, starters bad.

 

Yeah, wires in the right order. That's another one of those things that wouldn't keep it from cranking though. OBD0 harness with OBD1 conversion at the ECU to a P28. The engine grounds is something i'm also going to look at, thanks.

 

It's possible that you have two separate problems - crank and start/run.