Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 14, 2019 | 04:22 AM
  #1  
civicali's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

1994 Honda Civic LX 1.5L

We've been having issues with starting a Civic.
Will not start when its raining or after a rain event.

During and after a rain event, check engine light stays on for a very long time (cannot hear the fuel pump priming) and doesn't turn off when turning the ignition (but not trying to start or crank car).
Car starts fine on warm days, with no rain. The check engine light turns on and off when turning ignition and the fuel pump buzzing sound is heard.

We have replaced the spark plugs wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, and main relay.
All work was due anyway except for the main relay.
Replacing the above parts has not solved problem.

Do we have a problem with the ECM?

Is there a test that can be performed that will point to a bad ECM or a bad connection somewhere.
Again, issue is happening during and after a rain event.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2019 | 05:24 AM
  #2  
tony_2018's Avatar
Fish Twig
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,554
Likes: 309
From: Still hunting that foo up there
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Check your grounds, all of them, in the engine bay.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2019 | 08:22 AM
  #3  
NVturbo's Avatar
O.G. triple O.G.
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 330
From: south of Charlotte
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

is there any water leak near the ECU?
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2019 | 08:55 AM
  #4  
civicali's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Originally Posted by NVturbo
is there any water leak near the ECU?
Going to locate the ECM first and look for obvious water leaks

Last edited by civicali; Jan 14, 2019 at 12:29 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2019 | 11:53 AM
  #5  
NVturbo's Avatar
O.G. triple O.G.
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 330
From: south of Charlotte
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

It's passenger kick panel, underneath the dash
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2019 | 03:50 PM
  #6  
Outrun's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 88
From: Rancho Relacso, CA, USA
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Same thing happens to me in rainy or humid weather. Takes 30 seconds to 21 minutes (longest wait I've experienced) before the fuel pump primes.
Reply
Old May 22, 2019 | 05:49 AM
  #7  
civicali's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

We removed the ECU/ECM and the repair shop discovered several bad capacitors.

Main relay also replaced.

We are still experiencing the same issue. When it rains or after a rain event, the car does not start, it only cranks. You can see the CEL illuminated throughout the cranking and does not go away. If you wait long enough, while only turning the ignition key to “on” position, the CEL will eventually turn off after a few minutes and is followed by the fuel pump prime. This is when you are able to turn the car on.

CEL should be turning on and off immediately after turning the key to the “on” or “start” position, but it’s nit happening when it rains.

Please advise
Reply
Old May 22, 2019 | 05:54 AM
  #8  
muellersfan's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 349
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Did you replace or repair the ECU?

Purchase and install a known good ECU that comes with a guarantee.
Reply
Old May 22, 2019 | 12:27 PM
  #9  
civicali's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Originally Posted by muellersfan
Did you replace or repair the ECU?

Purchase and install a known good ECU that comes with a guarantee.

We got the original repaired and we got a lifetime warranty on it. You never know, it just might be the ECM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2019 | 01:17 PM
  #10  
muellersfan's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 349
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Originally Posted by civicali
we got a lifetime warranty on it.
Get a refund or return ECU to shop so they can now replace the capacitor that is actually blown.
Reply
Old May 23, 2019 | 02:35 AM
  #11  
NVturbo's Avatar
O.G. triple O.G.
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 330
From: south of Charlotte
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

go to your nearby salvage yard and pick up a P06 ECU. Swap it out and if the problem goes away, bad original ECU.
Reply
Old May 23, 2019 | 11:03 AM
  #12  
muellersfan's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 349
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Originally Posted by civicali
it just might be the ECM.
It is.
Reply
Old May 24, 2019 | 05:01 PM
  #13  
tony_2018's Avatar
Fish Twig
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,554
Likes: 309
From: Still hunting that foo up there
Default Re: 1994 Honda Civic 1.5L wont start in rainy weather

Wasn't a good repair..they should've test it but than again its not easy to replicate a test environment in a shop.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
civicali
Honda CRX / EF Civic (1988 - 1991)
1
Jan 14, 2019 05:48 AM
Christopher Mai
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
18
Nov 16, 2016 03:11 PM
Sleeper1930
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
6
Jul 12, 2008 08:21 PM
lord_old
Honda Accord (1990 - 2002)
7
Jun 1, 2004 05:52 PM
maxxd97
Tech / Misc
2
Apr 23, 2004 06:49 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:31 AM.