Hello everyone. I'm having an issue with my 89 Civic LX (4 door, auto, Dual point). The car will start fine and fire right up the first time. After driving a little bit and turning the car off, it will not start back up.

Here is what happened today. I drove from work towards my house (6 miles one way) and stopped at the store, which is about 4 miles into the 6 mile drive. I was in the store for about 20 minutes and then when I came to the car, it won't start. It cranks like it's going to fire, but not actually starting up. I unhooked the battery and took a 30 minute walk, hooked the car up and it still didn't want to start. I put the accelerator to the floor and it started to fire, albeit weak, it got more and more until it started up and I was fine. I drove it home and when I went to back into my driveway (literally when I put it in reverse) it started to die. I gave it some gas and it stayed on and idled fine after that. I shut the car off, started it back up with no effort. Did this 3 more times and started all 3 times with no effort.

If I drive to Tampa (30 miles one way) I have the same issue. Car won't start when I go back out to drive home. Sometimes I'll disconnect the battery and let it set and it will start back up, sometimes disconnecting the battery doesn't help. This only happens when I drive a decent distance or if the weather is warmer and I've driven a while.

So far I have replaced the following parts...

Main/Fuel relay. Replaced it with a brand new one, also soldered the old one. This had no effect to the issue.

Ignition switch. Replaced with a brand new one. No effect to warm start issue.

Fuel pump. Fuel pump was replaced because I thought it was overheating (made sense at the time). I can't tell if this effected it at all, but I'm starting to think no.

Fuel Filter. Brand new. No effect at all.

I also discovered a little bit of oil on the spark plug wires so I changed the valve cover gasket but I doubt this is related to the issue.

The battery that was in the car went bad one day while I was setting at the parts store waiting for the car to start... so the battery is brand new also.

I always run 92/93 octane fuel.


This seems to be temperature related (ambient temp) from what I can tell. I live in Saint Petersburg Florida and while it's usually warm, lately it's been a bit chilly. I've noticed that if I think it's cold outside, I can drive further and still start the car. However, if I think it's warm or hot, I have the non start issue more and more.

I read this thread https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...680&styleid=18 And I saw the ECT solution in post #8 and was wondering if this is plausible.

Also I forgot to mention that after driving a while when I go to turn the car off, the engine keeps trying to fire and it struggles to run. I have to push the gas pedal all the way down to kill it.

 

Here is a video of the ECU codes. Idk what code it's throwing, looks like a consistent blink to me.

Removed video, didn't get all the codes. Figured out how to read them, going to check again later when I can.

Also note that the car has a fucked idle. Constantly revs like this between 1100-1300 RPM. I replaced the throttle body and the idle is better than what it was, but still bouncy. I have everything to do a MPFI and 5speed swap, just waiting on the actual transmission and then I can throw it together which will fix the idle I'm hoping. I don't want to spend any more money on this DPFI ****.

 

Have you tested or changed your ect switch?

Quoted from FCM from a similar problem.

"Sounds more like an ECT sensor problem, engine is running rich when warm.

Symptoms of a bad ECT switch

1- Starts and runs OK when cold.
2- Hard starting when warm and runs like crap.
3- Poor gas milage.

Although the fuel filter may also be a problem, [symptoms do not match exactly] so if you do not know how old it is, replace it, it can't hurt.

Have you checked fuel pressure?

Have you confirmed valve and ign. timing? 94 "

 

Here's the link. It might help. https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/engine-bogs-down-heavy-acceleration-3190902/

 

Does the motor not turn over at all when you hit the starter, or is it just not firing up?

 

Try cleaning out your iacv (idle air control valve) and or the fitv (fast idle thermo valve). That might help with your idle being unusually high. There are a couple write ups on how to clean both on this site.

 

I ordred a new iat sensor today. I did clean the iacv already but it is unplugged. If I leave it plugged in the car idles at 3k Rom and holds so I just unplugged it.

 

Wait what? Your iacv isn't plugged in?

If you plug it in, and your idle is at 3k, i would adjust the idle screw. There is a certain way to adjust your idle screw. I don't really remember how. You're gonna have to search that.

 

Adjust idle http://crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10686"]http://crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10686

 

I've backed the idle screw all the way out and all the way in, it doesn't affect the idle at all. Also, this is a Dual point fuel injection. Does it have the FITV?

 

Follow the link I posted.

 

IAT didn't work. The last thing I can possibly think of is the ECT, ordered one, will be here tomorrow.