1998 Honda Civic My 98 Honda Civic doesn't start consistent

Tiny
JJOHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 130000 miles

1 month ago, I was having trouble getting my car started. It would turn over, but it wouldn't catch. I would have to keep on the ignition and after almost flooding the car out, it would eventually catch and start. Once it starts, it runs fine. I took it to a mechanic, and he replaced the main relay, thinking that was the problem. 1 week later, it did the same thing, it randomly didn't start in the middle of the day. I took it to a diagnostic mechanic, and he stated it could 1 of many things. So one by one I started replacing those things. Mostly it was a tune up. I've replaced the distributor cap, the spark plugs, and the rotor, and also the fuel filter. One month later, my car is still having problems consistently starting It seems to start OK in the morning and in the evening, but if I have a lot of errands to run throughout the day, and there is a lot of stop and go, then it has a hard time consistently starting every time. Question- What is wrong with my car?
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 9:50 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Have your coil tested. Coil is very expensive (about $100), so don't replace yet, just test.

And also test your crank sensor.
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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
CHRISTINAP
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hey there
If you find out what the problem was, please let me know. My son is having the very same problem. I just about replace everything I could think of. Now I'm back to the starter again. It would start the other night and my son hit the starter, it sparked and the car started. Working on getting it tested. Let me know what you find out. Good Luck
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
KW77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I had a very similar problem with a 1991 Honda Accord. In the summer after sitting in the hot sun for an extended period of time the car wouldn't start. It would crank but I noticed that the fuel pump didn't cycle up when the key was turned on thus not pressurizing the fuel system. Turns out the main relay would get too hot and not function properly which was proven by leaving the car in the shade during the same conditions and it was fine. The main relay is relatively inexpensive but a little troublesome to get to (in that model) but it doesn't take a certified ASE mechanic to change one out however, once replaced I never had that problem again.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 AT 2:08 PM

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