Make: Honda
Model: Civic hatchback DX
Year: 1997
Mileage: 220,000

Background: After a break and radiator flush the car had problems starting. The car starts in the morning or after cooling off but not when hot.

Attempts to repair: Changed fuel filter and Dashboard Main Relay.

 

Did you replace the main relay with a new one?

Is the CEL ON?

Inspect the distributor cap and rotor for wear and corrosion. Check the spark plugs.

 

I replaced the main relay, distributor cap, rotor and spark plugs with new ones.

I havebeen driving with the heater on and parking in the shade so that the car will start.

When I try to restart the car after driving it without the heater onit will crank but not turn on. After letting the car cool I start it and there is the smell of fuel.

 

Is the CEL ON?

During the radiator flush, one of the electrical connectors may have gotten wet. Disconnect the connector for the distributor and inspect for moisture or corrosion. Open the under-hood fuse/relay box and do the same. Also check the ground wire on the thermostat housing. If this wire is loose or corroded, you won"t get either spark or fuel (=no start).

If this type of troubleshooting does not pan out, do this:

1) When the engine won"t start, listen for the low humming noise of the fuel pump priming for a few seconds when the key is turned to ON. No priming would indicate a problem with the main relay/fuel pump circuit.

2) Check for spark at the plugs.

 

The check engine light is off.

I just changed the spark plugs, wires, dcap and rotor.

Thermostate wires looked good.

The main relay tested fine.

Usually the car only starts when it is cold in the morning or after work.

When I was filling the car with fuel when the car was hot it started even though it usually wont start hot.

I was told that since I ran the fuel low I would have to replace the fuel filter since it would be dirty and the fuel pump since it would overheat quickly from overwork.

 

What are the answers to points 1 and 2 in my previous post?

 

I changed the fuel filter, fuel pump and fuel pump strainer. I flashed a light in the tank and it looked really clean. I do not want to take the tank off. Do I still need to flush the tank????

Questions 1 and 2: I pulled a plug out and started the car to see a plug spark, yes. And the fuel pump “vvvv” could be heard through the plate in the rear seat area.

We drove the car until it was at operating temperature, usually it would not restart.

I did it again, I pulled a plug out and started the car to see a plug spark, yes. And the fuel pump “vvvv” could be heard through the plate in the rear seat area.

I will keep testing it every day this week when I get home from work to see if it will restart when hot.