I have a 2000 CRV 5spd AWD with 78k and it seems to be having a hard time starting when warm. If I start it in the morning it seems fine but if I take strip for lunch and let it set for 10-30 minutes it acts like it doesn't want to start. The engine just turns over. After a few tries it will fire up and idle normally. Any suggestions?

 

Next time it does it see when you turn the key to the position before the crank position see if the check engine light comes on for two seconds and cuts off. If it does it should start as that indicates the main relay is working. If the check engine light stays on and just cranks and cranks you may have a bad or faulty main relay in which you can either resolder the connections or buy a new one.

 

Possibly valve problem. Very common issue. Happened to mine. Ever tally it threw a CEL.

 

I'm going to agree that it sounds most likely to be the PGM-FI relay.

 

I have kept an eye on the problem the last few weeks. The check engine light goes off even when I am having a hard time getting it to start. When it starts normally it fires up within a second or two, but when it is having a hard time starting it takes at least 3 tries. I did find that if I turn the key all the way off and then on again it fires up easier. It has to sit for 15-45 minutes to happen. And more or less and it fires up like normal.

Any other items to check? I noticed that when it cranks for more than a second or two the battery light blinks.

 

check your water temp sensor on the thermostat housing. Sounds almost exactly like what happened in my old civic. the sensor went bad and it would think the car was too hot when I would try and start it after short trips like getting gas. It did what you are describing for a while before the check engine light came on for the sensor. So i spent a few months not knowing wtf was wrong before the sensor failed completely.

This may not be your issue at all.

 

Thanks for the info. I haven't noticed my gauge itself being too high but maybe the ECU is seeing a different signal. I will check online and see how much the sensor is. If it isn't too much its worth trying.

 

Not trying to hijack the thread but my 01 CR-V is doing same thing. If it runs for 3 hours or more and you turn it off and let it cool down 20 to 30 minutes it will flood the engine. If you turn the car off and start it back immediately, runs perfect. Let the engine cool down overnight start right back up. But if you try to restart it in 20 to 30 minutes you have to pull the plugs and dry them. Replace the coolant temp sensor and still no luck. Any help would be much appreciated thanks

 

Bumping thread. I'm having the same problem with my 99 crv, No CEL, replaced dizzy, fuel pump, main relay. Temp sensor and fuel pressure regulator is next to change. Any other info is appreciated.