Just picked up a civic with a b16 in it. First week having it, and I am having troubles starting. If the car has been sitting for an hour+, when I go to start it, it will crank over, but wont start up right away. Try it again, and it starts up. The car has msd igntion, anyone know? Im thinking it could be coil, cap, or rotor. Anyhelp is appriciated.

 

Replace cap, rotor, and plugs along with checking the timing.
Usually if the coil goes bad, the engine doesnt start at all.

 

do you hear the fuel pump "whirrrr" with the key in the "on" position before you crank it?

Could be the main relay, but that causes problems in the summertime hot weather mostly. Plus you're in Canada, it's probably starting to get chilly up there, huh...er...eh? j/k.

 

its actually pretty warm up here now, But ya, when I start it, it just cranks over about 10 times. Then Ill stop, Try again and it always starts second try. Seeing as it has msd cap, wires, etc. What should I replace it with?

 

oem....msd sucks..hehe..j/k..

 

I had the same problem, it was the main relay.

 

it's probably not your ignition. But the main relay may not be switching on the fuel pump and feeding the car fuel.

To test the theory, pull a plug hold it close to a ground, then look for the spark as you have someone do the first crank(the one where you know it won't start). If there's spark, it's probably the pgm-fi main relay.

Or you can just turn the key to "ON / II" and listen closely at the back seat bottom to hear the fuel pump come on...