Hi guys, hoping someone can help me figure out whats going on here.

I live in Toronto and it's recently just gotten quite cold. On mild days the car started no problems, but lately as it's been much colder the car didn't want to start. It wouldn't even crank, just nothing. I can hear the fuel pump and everything click on.

I brought the battery in to warm up on a few occasions and it started up no problem at all. Chalked it up to the battery needing to be replaced.

I replaced the battery yesterday and then this morning I came out to the car not starting. Figured maybe I bought a dud battery, brought it in, warmed it up and was able to get the car to start.

I let it run for 5m, turned it off and tried to restart it again but it just barely stays running (Tach at 0rpm) If I touch the gas it dies.

With key to ON position CEL is coming on and staying on now, instead of going out after a second or two like it should.

Any ideas here? I was on my way to exchange the battery but now I'm not convinced that's what it is.

 

Pull the CEL codes and post them.

 

Thanks.

My car is a 98' so OBD2, But as far as I know i'm running an OBD1 conversion harness. Car is a b18c5 swap.

Which method do I use to check it? I don't believe the OBD2 port works because of this.

 

Jump the service connector.

 

Been super busy, but got around to checking the codes as I'm trying to resolve this today.

Codes were:
03
06
22

Would the codes keep it from running? Should I just try and reset them?

It did start normally and run as usual when I made this post, then turned it off after 10s, then after that it wouldn't start again.

It does crank over now, but sputters out immediately.

 

Reset the ECU to determine which codes repeat.

 

Would the CEL prevent the car from starting? Have just pulled Fuse #47, will go give it a try in 15m

 

Why do you ask?

 

Just knowledge I guess and hoping that they would prevent it and not actually be something physical, I'll find out in 10m regardless. Just odd to me that the car all of a sudden doesn't start and throws 3 unrelated codes.

 

Not all CEL codes would prevent the engine from starting, but some definitely would.

 

Put the fuse back in, still have the CEL so it didn't reset. I have disconnected the battery now completely.

Is there something I am missing to this process? I tried this earlier in the week disconnecting the battery for 5m or so and It wouldn't reset either.

 

What fuse did you remove and put back in?

What CEL codes are still thrown/repeat?

 

Fuse #47. I don't think it actually reset.

All 3 still the same

 

is 15m long enough to leave the battery disconnected?

 

How long did you remove fuse 47? More than three minutes should reset the ECU.

 

It was out for 15m

 

15 min should do it.

Verify that you removed fuse 47:

https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d.../#post50736861

 

Thanks for the link, Ya that is the same diagram I used.

 

Okay.

Code 3 or 6 can prevent the engine from starting. Start by verifying that the MAP and ECT sensors are plugged in.

Next verify that the wire colors for those two sensor connectors properly match the sensor.

What engine and Civic trim?

 

Car is a 98 Civic cx

As far as I know it's an OBD1 Type R with jumper harness from OBD2 to OBD1.

Will go check those now, but the car has been running for 6-7 months without issue so I doubt the wire color is off.

 

Ok, code 3 has disappeared.

Code 6 - water temp AND Code 22 - vtec oil pressure switch remain.

The water temp sensor is plugged in, i unplugged it and plugged it back in just to confirm. there is (1) brown, (1) green wire connected. Green wire closest to the firewall.

Do I just have to try replacing the water temp sensor?

I have never had an Engine code before this. Like I said I started the car on the 19th, started right up I let it run for like 10s, turned it off to check all was good and Then from that point the CEL came on and the car would no longer start.

 

Ok, code 3 has disappeared.

Code 6 - water temp AND Code 22 - vtec oil pressure switch remain.

The water temp sensor is plugged in, i unplugged it and plugged it back in just to confirm. there is (1) brown, (1) green wire connected. Green wire closest to the firewall.

Do I just have to try replacing the water temp sensor?

 

Code 22 won't cause a no-start.

Start by testing the two ECT sensor connector wires for voltage and ground with the key in ON(II).

Codes don't generally tell you what part is bad or what is causing the problem. You need to troubleshoot.

The diagram below shows the stock ECT wire colors for your Civic. You may have a different wire harness. You need to verify that you have correctly identified the ECT sensor.

 

Thanks, just dug out my multi-meter and the battery is dead. Will replace it and figure out how to use it and post back.

Thanks for all the help RonJ! Much appreciated.

 

Just to verify. The sensor that is unplugged in this photo is what I am looking for?



Sorry I've never actually used a multi-meter so forgive my question but I was able to get a reading of 12v from the battery, should I be using the same setting on the multi-meter to read the harness side of the connector?

I went ahead and tested the connector by placing a paper clip in each opening and placed my positive and negative leads of the multi-meter on them (the leads were too large to fit into the connector itself) and did not get a reading. Key was in the ON(II) position.

There was a small amount of oil / moisture inside of the connector, that can't be good.