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

The car does nothing sometimes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 11:58 AM
  #1  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default The car does nothing sometimes

Sometimes when i start up my 96 honda civic ex, nothing happens.
When i turn the key to on, all the lights come up which is fine.
But when i turn the key to turn the ignition on, (to start the car) nothing happens.
Sometimes when i turn the key, after 2 seconds the car would response.

But today i turned the key to start the car, nothing happened.
I had to take the key out and put it in again twice to get the car started.

Does anyone know what is going on with my car.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 01:02 PM
  #2  
FifthGearOnline's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

is it a manual or auto.....if its an automatic tranny.....then you have a problem

if its a manual dont forget to push the clutch in
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 01:06 PM
  #3  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (fifthgearonline)

It's manual.
I have been driving manual for 1 1/2 years now.
I make sure i press the clutch before i put the key in the ignition.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 02:33 PM
  #4  
hydroflip's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: somewhere, in, nj
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

mine does that too...sometimes it hesitates...i dont know what it is but it doesnt seem bad...jus give it a couple seconds
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 03:25 PM
  #5  
GSRaCeRbOI's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,162
Likes: 1
From: So Cali
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

not sure if its related.. but back in the day when i had a 91 accord EX coupe.. the main relay needed to be replaced.. there were cracks in the solderjoints and when the car was hot sometimes it would not start at all.. i would have to sit there w/ the dome light off (to not drain the battery) then open the driver door for like 10 mins to let the main relay cool (its under your dash) then it would start..

not sure if its the same problem on your civic tho..
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 03:43 PM
  #6  
mycronman's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: bethlehem, pa, usa
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (GSRaCeRbOI)

lol i was gonna say that about the clutch. when we installed my bros intake the idiot was sitting there for like 5 mins wondering why it wouldnt start until i say "moron push the DoEs AnYoNe KnOw WheRe I CaN GeT SoMe StRObE LiTEZ AnD LiGhT uP WiNdShiElD NoZzLeS??in cluch in" ....ok so i thought it was funny
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 06:02 PM
  #7  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (mycronman)

The car does it sometimes, and i've noticed it does it when cold.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 06:07 PM
  #8  
you2envious's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

It might be the relay that tells the car the clutch is pushed in . I had a domestic manual at one time((not saying names)) LOL . But the relay switch went bad that was attached to the clutch and told the car that the clutch was pressed in . Maybe thats something to look at . Just a thought
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 06:21 PM
  #9  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (you2envious)

call me stupid.
But where do i find that, and how to locate it.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 06:32 PM
  #10  
you2envious's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

Not stupid man , It should be located somewhere around your clutch pedal assembly . if it isn't there it might be connected where the clutch cable goes into the Transmission . Not sure exactly what the relay will look like either , But I am sure it will stand out . Look up under the dash where your pedal is attached (for example). Most manuals have this relay so stupid people dont get in and turn the key with the trans in gear
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 06:53 PM
  #11  
dirtySOHC's's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 0
From: OCONUS
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

my car did that same poo poo.......its a 97...i had to get a whole new distributer....it was still under warranty so it didnt matter......
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 07:03 PM
  #12  
PhaseEK9's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

Its your fuel pump relay acting up.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 08:03 PM
  #13  
fixhondas's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: columbus, ohio
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (PhaseEK9)

try this- while holding in the crank position- push and release the clutch pedal a few times- could be clutch swith on pedal assy.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 09:58 PM
  #14  
FifthGearOnline's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (mycronman)

lol i was gonna say that about the clutch. when we installed my bros intake the idiot was sitting there for like 5 mins wondering why it wouldnt start until i say "moron push the DoEs AnYoNe KnOw WheRe I CaN GeT SoMe StRObE LiTEZ AnD LiGhT uP WiNdShiElD NoZzLeS??in cluch in" ....ok so i thought it was funny
HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats awesome!!!!!!
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 05:01 AM
  #15  
you2envious's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (fifthgearonline)

"moron push the DoEs AnYoNe KnOw WheRe I CaN GeT SoMe StRObE LiTEZ AnD LiGhT uP WiNdShiElD NoZzLeS??in cluch in"

HAHAHAHAHAHA(CRYING)
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 05:12 AM
  #16  
Rodney's Avatar
I forgot more about hondas then you will ever know....
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,310
Likes: 1
From: hop,skip, and a jump from the city,, new friggin york, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (PhaseEK9)

Its your fuel pump relay acting up.
yep, sounds like the pgm fi relay is acting up. turn your ignition switch on, but don't try to start the car. do you hear the fuel pump buzz for a couple of seconds? if you hear it, try and start the car. if not , keep cycling the key till you hear the fuel pump run. pgm fi relays are two relays in one, one to prime the fuel system on startup, the other to run while the engine is on. good luck. oh, how many miles are on the car?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 05:20 AM
  #17  
Perfectionist's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 1
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

The main relay would not prevent the engine from cranking. The clutch switch or the ignition switch itself would be the most likely culprits. Check the connections at the starter, too.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 10:49 AM
  #18  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (Perfectionist)

The car has only 71K miles onit.
Last week it had 70K, the milage just moved up to 71K.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 01:00 PM
  #19  
mps9506's Avatar
Trial User
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (rodney)

My car does this also when it gets hot. As does my buddies older accord.
As far as mine I can hear the fuel pump cut onwhen I turn the key to the start postition and then cut off. I've had to sit in my car for 15 minutes before the car cranks up sometimes. PITA. BTW my car is a 93 coupe, any ideas? Maybe this is something I can get knocked out the way for cheap. The car will crank and crank and crank, just won't start. never bothered to check for spark but I was doubting it was the ignition, as it always runs fine otherwise.
Whats the deal with the pgm fuel pump. Sounds like it was priming just fine. I can hear the big relay under the dash , I'm assuming the ignition relay, clicking when I turn the key and it starts to crank.
mm, I dunno, maybe it will just stay cold for a while....
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 01:53 PM
  #20  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (mps9506)

when i turn the key to the on position i DO NOT hear the any noises.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 02:18 PM
  #21  
Rodney's Avatar
I forgot more about hondas then you will ever know....
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,310
Likes: 1
From: hop,skip, and a jump from the city,, new friggin york, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

when i turn the key to the on position i DO NOT hear the any noises.
there ya go...pgm fi relay.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 02:20 PM
  #22  
Rodney's Avatar
I forgot more about hondas then you will ever know....
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,310
Likes: 1
From: hop,skip, and a jump from the city,, new friggin york, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (mps9506)

My car does this also when it gets hot. ....
again, when the pgm fi relay get hot, it will do this.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 02:27 PM
  #23  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (rodney)

But i never heard that noise.
I used to have a crx si. never heard it.
I used to have an integra ls never heard it.

my crx and integra had no problems
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 03:47 PM
  #24  
Rodney's Avatar
I forgot more about hondas then you will ever know....
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,310
Likes: 1
From: hop,skip, and a jump from the city,, new friggin york, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (sshaikh01)

well, then you are either deaf or you aren't listening to the right thing.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2002 | 04:26 PM
  #25  
sshaikh01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,804
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Default Re: The car does nothing sometimes (rodney)

yep, sounds like the pgm fi relay is acting up. turn your ignition switch on, but don't try to start the car. do you hear the fuel pump buzz for a couple of seconds? if you hear it, try and start the car. if not , keep cycling the key till you hear the fuel pump run. pgm fi relays are two relays in one, one to prime the fuel system on startup, the other to run while the engine is on. good luck. oh, how many miles are on the car?

Ok so lets say it is the pgm, is it in the engine bay by the firewall.
Can someone please correct me.
Or post a pic of it.
Thanks.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:40 PM.