mind of its own!!!
 

okay i have a honda civic dx 1.5

i replaced the
starter
fuel pump
fuel filter
& battery...


but lately it only wants to start when it wants
when the key is turned the check engine light turns on...when it turns off the car will start,otherwise it'll just crank.
my father messed with i believe the fuse box... i have the idea its the alarm system..
anyone has any ideas,anyone??

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

Check your distributor cap. see if there is any corrosion

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

i was told if there was something wrong with the distributor that it wouldn't catch spark... and the spark plugs are fine.. am i wrong?? any other suggestions?

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

If you are saying that the Check Engine Light sometimes turns ON and does not turn OFF, then you should retrieve the code stored in the ECU. The code may be highly informative. You can retrieve the code yourself as described here:

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1901557

Alternatively, you can take the car to AutoZone where they will retrieve the code free of charge.

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

hey are you sure about that? Because then i will take my car there too

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

Yes, I am sure that AutoZone will use a scan tool to retrieve CEL codes free of charge.

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

well only 96+ i belive...

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

I no in town our autozone, checkers and advanced all offer a obd1 and obd2 scan tool that they will check your computer for free. I have had to use them several times on my eclipse.

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

You have a bad main relay. every honda ever made has a bad main relay. when you turn on the ignition, the main relay directs power to various parts of the car. when everything else works, and the car cranks but refuses to start, that part of the relay that is going to the ignition module is not sending out it's signal. If you check to see if the plugs are getting spark, you will find that there is no sprark.

The main relay is a small 2" square module hidden in the dash area. after a few years of use the solder joints go bad.
you can take the unit out, and reheat the connections with a solder iron. it cost nothing, and it will worklike new.

Go to the general tech help forum, and look at "problems solved", the first listing is for this problem, that all hondas share. it gives detailed info, and it is not a hard repair

Good luck
Dave

RE: mind of its own!!!
 

^ absolutely the main relay, man. Classic case. There will be no OBD code from a bad main relay, it just won't start. The clue is the check engine light doesn't go off after 2 seconds like it should.