Honda Civic has trouble starting after sitting in the sun

Tiny
CRG27
  • MEMBER
  • HONDA CIVIC
I have a 1.5L, 4 cylinder, manual 1993 Honda Civic 142K miles that runs great, however, if it sits for a few hours in direct sunlight on a hot day, it has trouble starting. I know this sounds wierd, but if I park in the shade, I don't have the problem. For example, yesterday I parked my car in the shade, but as the day progressed, the shade moved. After my car had been sitting in direct sunlight for a few hours, I tried starting it in the heat of the day, and the car only turns over without starting. I left it and came back in the evening and the car started on the first try as if it had no problems. I experience no problems in the winter or if I park in the shade in the summer; however, if the sun gets a chance to beat down on it on a hot day, it may not start or it may take a few minutes of trying till it starts. The only think I know that has been changed is the previous owner installed a cold air intake on the car. I'd appreciate any information someone may have in fixing this problem.
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 AT 7:23 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
SUPRSIM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I am having the same troubles with my 1989 Honda Civic hatchback fuel injection. It wont start in warm weather, or after I have driven for a while and turn it off and try to start it up again soon after (within 5-15 minutes after I turned it off). Before winter, it had this issue, during winter, it never happened once, and now that its warming up again its happening again. I've replaced the fuel pump as well as the fuel filter, and all the spark plugs work. Also, when the gas cap is removed, there is a alot of pressure buildup either after I have just driving or on a hot day. There have been no issues with the car running.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 7th, 2007 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
FIRECHIEF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Just a guess and the guy above touched on it but did not seem to try it while it had the problem.
Try after it has been parked in the sun and will not start to remove the gas cap. If it starts, you have a bad cap or vent. Hope that helps.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
SUPRSIM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The gas cap has been replaced but the problem still continues. Good thought though.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
PCHOMINSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Next I would check ECT - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. This is termistor connected between engine ground and input to rhe computer.
Voltage on one end of ECT is 0 on the other about 3-4 V at cold and 0.6 at hot. Computer do not always detects problem with this sensor. Good Luck. Paul
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
LOSTINMARS
  • MECHANIC
  • 222 POSTS
I bet anything the pgm-fi relay is going bad. Very common on the accords after sitting in the sun. Haven't seen to many civics though, but the technology is the same.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 14th, 2007 AT 9:13 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links