88 Wagon awd 150,000

My son's Civic starts and runs fine when starting cold, but whenever it is turned off it will not restart until it has cooled off.

A mechanic wanted nearly a grand to put on a genuine Honda distributor! I had it towed to a barn.

Any ideas out there as to where to begin on this problem other than the whole distributor?

 

Does the car actually crank(turn over) when it won't start?

if it does crank then maybe

Try the main relay

Its located under the dash up above the change box on the driver side.

When you turn the car to "on" you will hear a click sound from that area and also you can hear for the fuel pump turning on.

When the relay doesn't work you won't hear the click when you turn the key to on.

if you unbolt the realy and let it hang by the harness (or zip tie it) next time the car doesn't start listen for the realy to click if it doesn't give it a shake or a whack with your finger and fuel pump will come on then.

also if you put the relay in your hand you will feel the click(if you can't hear it).

if thats the case then change the relay.

oh yeah you should be able to get a rebuilt distributor for around $200 canadian...tell your mechanic he can shove his thumb up his ***.


[Modified by 89civicdx, 5:25 AM 2/17/2003]


[Modified by 89civicdx, 5:30 AM 2/17/2003]