Any help would be appreciated here, but please read the rundown so I can help you better formulate an opinion of where to go next.

Trying to diagnose a 1991 Civic STD, all stock 300k and still surviving. The problem started about 2 months ago where it would not start in the coldest of our winter mornings. Car would crank but not fire. Go back out a little later, and sometimes it would fire sometimes not.

Fast Forward a few weeks. Car was being run around with no issues, then it would do a random no start once driven for quite some time. (e.g. stop at WAWA for a cup of coffee, come out car just cranks.)

Just this week, car ran great for 3 days and died once again at WAWA.

Now before you say go changing these parts, I will list all that I have done over the last 2 months.

Main Relay
Alternator
New ignition (not a switch) just the tumbler/key
ICM (Ignitor in distributor)
Dist Coil/plugs/wires and rotor (still has older cap)
Fuel pump
Oil Change
Fuel filter
Cleaned pcv valve

Car has sufficient spark and when it starts it runs great. The issue comes when it randomly just leaves you sit.

My thoughts, Ignition switch/neutral safety switch issue/low compression (haven't checked yet) broken wire/grounding issue

I want to check and clean all grounds this weekend because it has delayed starts 2-3 seconds of cranking then vrooooom it fires.

Could I be missing something in the distributor I have no issue replacing the entire unit, but I am getting tired of throwing money away for a reoccurring issue.

My apologies for the long post, but I finally broke down to ask for help. Its been so long I had to create a new H-T account because I forgot all my info.

Any help is appreciated.

 

One thing I forgot to mention, is that the car has never shut off while driving. The only time the issue presents itself is when you go to start the car. Whether it may be first thing in the morning, or after a short ride. NO CEL is present.

This is my Moms b/fs rig, the ironic aspect of this is that it has never had an issue when I work on it. It fires right up for me, but doesn't work for him. This intermittent problem is driving me NUTS!

 

ECT sensor have anything to do with it / clogged cat?

 

No input from anyone?

 

No one here is a pro

 

Says this^^^ but this thread is pros only so I'm gonna back off.

 

I used to be a pro, but when I took a job as a firefighter I went back to amateur mechanic ranks.

 

Wow thanks guys, now I know why I never frequent this site anymore. Just a little update the car has died completely so it will be much easier to diagnose. In additoon, the only reason I stated pros only is because I absolutely hate poeple that post fixes that were already said to be done in the OP. Not that I would question anyones intelligence/integtity.

Thanks again.

 

integrity*

 

It's a public forum, your gonna get some misleading answers. But post count and join date should help filter that out. Are you a pro? Then maybe you should take it to one.

 

I'd say the distributor, always a wasye to replace the ignitor since th whole dizzy fails soon after.

 

Sorry those two are just being pessimistic, and spend most of their time in GDD.

Being that you have replaced most items your left with either a bad replacement part, something completely off the wall, or a bad engine all together.

I'd check compression, and what all your fluids look like. Any oil in the coolant, or visa versa? Does the oil smell burnt, foamy, or any metal in it?

Strange things could be wiring, or a sensor like the temperature. I'd check the plugs that you have touched recently first. Are all the wires tight in the coupler, and no corrosion on them? If it only acts up in the cold, the temperature sensor could be causing the issue as well.

 

These random problems are nearly always electrical in nature.
I am going with a bad ground and or bad power connection somewhere. Those pesky little buggers are hard to find sometimes.

Also, just for ***** and giggles, check the rubber grommet at the clutch pedal.