OK car stats...
1995 Honda Civic DX
4-Dr
1.5L 16 Valve
5-Speed

The car will turn over but not start, intermittently.

The problems started as a muffler problem, got worse... I replaced the muffler put the car back down on all fours and called the wife to start it so I could listen to my new muffler... Well her new muffler. But any ways turns the key and the engine turned over and over but there was no spark. I verified this by taking an older plug and putting it in the wire and setting it on the bolt for the valve cover and had the wife turn the car over, No spark. Well since then I changed the spark plugs, wires, rotor, cap, and coil. Got spark back, car runs good for about a week now. Well the other day the CAT let go, and started to rattle like a can of rocks. Replaced that and then I went down with the wife and filled it with fuel. Drove back to the garage at my father in laws place and got in the Jeep and started to drive noticing the wife has not caught up to me... I stop turn around and she is out by the car waiting for me. She told me the car would turn over but not start and her father also said he heard the same thing turn over and no go...I told her to get in and try again while I was standing there...... What do you know it starts right up like there is no issue. A day later same thing happens to my wife but she waited a second and then turned the car over and it started right up.

 

I have also replaced the fuel pump now... Things I am not sure about, how can I test the ignition control module in the distributor cap?? WHAT'S LEFT to replace?! Can an OS sensor cause this??

Also occasionally while driving the check engine light comes on very dim at first and if i rev the car a little the light gets brighter. But when just driving it looks like its might be pulsing a little, very dimly.

 

Retrieve the CEL code(s) as detailed at the link in my signature.

When the engine won't start, check again for spark at the plugs and also whether the fuel pump is priming. The latter is done by turning the ignition key to ON without cranking and listening for the low humming sound of the fuel pump priming for a few seconds.

 

If you can't pull any CEL codes, there is one very common problem that comes with age in the 1992-1995 Honda Civic. You'll need to look at the main relay, which is located under the driver's side of the dash, near the fuse box.

 

Check your ground wires, especially those little ones on the thermostat housing. The CEL should not come on dim, it's either on or off. A dim light indicates low voltage due to a fundamental power or ground problem.

 

Ok just tried for the CEL. It just stayed on solid and the SRS light was the only light flashing. Will have to check grounding wires and main relay.. Thank you the advice.

 

Ah yes I also heard the humming from the fuel pump as it primed the system..

 

Is there a specific way to test the main relay?

 

If you hear the fuel pump prime when the engine won't start, then the main relay is fine because it controls power to the fuel pump. Priming of the fuel pump would also suggest that the ground on the thermostat housing is fine. This ground is needed for both the main relay/fuel pump and for spark.

This outcome suggests that you should check for spark. No spark would likely indicate a problem with the igniter unit/ICM in the distributor.

With respect to a possible general electrical grounding problem, do the car lights and other electrical functions still work when the car won't start? Are your lights brightening/dimming/fluctuating when you are driving at night?

 

how old is the battery and the alt? they are also likely culprits.