I'm buying a 89 civic for 600 bucks. Its completely stock other than a cold air and a pretty nice exhaust, it has 175k on it. Other than needing a valve cover gasket its in pretty good shape. The only problem i have noticed is while starting it. Occasionaly itll just turn over without firing up. Turn the key off, try again, rinse and repeat. I dont know enough about mechanics to know if its relevant but to start it you have to turn the key all the way, then press a button to start it. Any ideas on why it mighy do that?

 

bad ignition switch

 

Even though it does turn over? Im pretty ignorant about car stuff other than brakes so bear with me. What exactly does replacing an ignition switch entail? If i get a book for the car is it something i should be able to do solo? Also, because its only very occasionaly that it occurs should i even bother with it for now?

I had a couple other random questions. Seats, suspension, audio, paint. What are good reliable brands that offer fair pricing? Im not looking to race it or make the system audible from miles away. A smooth better steering ride would be nice though and driving without music blows goats for beer money. As far as paint id probably be happy with a clean, flat black.

 

I remember bypassing the ignition switch in a sunfire i used to have. It works... but i eventually replaced the bad switch. with a little searching you should be able to find a shop manual online.

as far as parts goes i would spend a little more for oem but there are also good aftermarked. here is a link to the FAQ, there is lots of information here that will help you with some of your questions https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/88-91-crx-ef-civic-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-1508680/

these cars are great way to lean about wrenching

 

Cool thanks. Could a bad ignition switch cause a car to shut off randomly while driving? Sometimes the motor will suddenly die while im cruisi.g, while the electrical all stays on. I am pretty ignorant with car electrical so not sure if its relevant but it only happens when my ipod is plugged in and playing, loud or quiet makes no difference. It happened 4 times on an 8 mile stretch of road. I unplugged my ipod so i could hear if there were any noises happening when it shuts off but hasnt happened once without it plugged in. When it happens the check engine light comes on. I read that theres supposed to be a light under the dash that flashes out codes (being OBD0 my reader is useless) but it seems one of the previous owners removed it.

 

The EXACT same thing happened to me when I first brought home my 89 civic si. It would start oddly every other time and would cut itself off while driving. So i did research and replaced my main relay.. still no start. i kept trying to diagnose my problem and i got pretty damn frustrated. then I noticed that the push button starter the previous owner put on, that I thought was "cool" looked pretty damn cheap. I then unbolted it and undid the two wires from it. I went ahead and cut my car to the "on" position(last click before firing), pressed down the clutch, connected those two wires and VVRRROOOOMM! She lit right up. I still gotta wire it up right now so I can use the original key start but hell, it WAS that cheap push button ebay whatever lol least I know how to hot wire a car now

 

ALSO I do have a brand new main relay now. If you don't know what that is its what controls your whole cars ignition process. It turns on the electrical system, sends fuel pressure to injectors to "prime" for ignition AND most importantly keeps the current flowing to the fuel pump and spark plugs while your cars on to KEEP your car on. Then when you turn the key off, it in turn cuts all those currents off and your car cuts off. The problem with many of the Efs now is the age of the main relays. They're made from a computer chip material with soldering and from twenty years of exposure they can/have expanded and contracted from all the heat and cold which can render the vital connections faulty/undependable. A simple diagnosis' is to listen for the clicks. If they're all not there or sound faint you could have some relay issues. Was your heat on when you car cut off on its own?

And please note

I replaced this part first and it still didn't start!
It was only until I found the problem push button and bypassed it(I.e. hotwired it) that it started. But I WILL say, that my car has never ran better and sounded soo good and felt so spunky. Also it is totally reliable now.. No "weird moments" anymore. She runs like she's brand new! I'm nearly 100% positive all this positive came not just with throwing out the push switch, but also with replacing my main relay.

Hope this was some help!

89' civic si/jdm zc & si tran
^my car^

 

it's not easy, but check your fuel pump.

i had a similar issue with my 90 CRX Si, changed out the main relay from another civic i had, and got a new one. didn't do it. turns out that it was the fuel pump.

 

same problem here.....