1992 Honda Civic Starting Problem
 

Hello Folks -

I seem be developing a starting problem : I've noticed these past few days that the car is "struggling" to start.
i.e. it seems to slowly wind up when cranked and once the engine gets going it runs fine.

Today I went to the PO and dropped off mail. The engine was normal running temperature.
When I returned to the car, it would just not crank - not a sound - not
a noise - just silence. I walked into the PO and waited for about 10 minutes to get change for the bus ride home.

Just on a whim I tried to restart the car after "it cooled a bit" and it started up as mentioned above.
I drove it home.

Battery voltage reads 12.5, Alternator reads 14.5, and I went to Advance Auto and they did a diagnostic which
says the battery is fine : 475 CCA. I would imagine the starter is also fine - i.e. not burned out. No burned out
fuses. Igniter / coil are fine. The main relay - I don't know ? Is it the ignition switch - I noticed "recently" that there are
times when the switch does not complete the circuit to run the radio and I have to toggle it a bit.

So this is mysterious - Any one know what is going on ???

Just replaced the main relay - so that's not the problem . . .

Sounds like a starter on the way out. Next time it doesn't start give the starter whack with a hammer. It might start... and that will be a sure indication that you need a new one. Also check all the ground wires in the engine bay and the positive wires going to the starter.

Thanks Very Much! -
I am looking to do a full component exchange, given the age of the car.

EVERYONE - THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS -

IT WAS THE STARTER - I CHANGED THE UNIT WITH AN AUTOZONE #16914
INTENDED REPLACEMENT FOR A MITSUBA Sm-302-48. (AUTOZONE
HAD PUT IN A NIPPONDENSO UNIT IN THE BOX - SO I HAD TO BIKE
OVER AND GET THE RIGHT PART !)

IT CRANKED UP AND RAN RIGHT AWAY.

JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE I PLAN TO REPLACE ALL THE FRAGILE
COMPONENTS - THE IGNITION (COMBINATION) SWITCH, CLUTCH SWITCHES,
AND THE IGNITER.

I MEAN THE CAR IS 28 YRS OLD AND IS STILL RUNNING ON ALL THE
"OLD" COMPONENTS !!!

Honestly, I'd only replace things that are worn. The chinese crap you get at autozone that qualifies as parts is atrocious these days.

I do agree with the aftermarket quality issue.

I ALWAYS buy original Honda parts as much as I can.
The car being 28 YO - OEM parts are getting harder
to come by. I did get the clutch switches, the igniter,
main relay, and a few others from Honda. Honestly
the Auto Zone build was quite good - I looked it over
very carefully. It appears to be a US-based reman.

Sounds like the car landed in good hands.

When I get a new car I usually start with new wheel bearings, quality rotors and pads. Also I replace the rubber brake hoses that go to the calipers because they swell inside with age. From there - any suspension bushings that are worn and anything in the steering that is not tight.

I take pretty good care of the car. It runs 50-55 MPG-city regularly after all these years,
and the emissions test comes in at less than 10% of the state limits. I have
no plans to retire it but when an electric vehicle comes along that can
match its 550 mile range on a single tank of gas (or charge) I may get one.
I did get rear ended recently and it split the bumper and damaged the
lower tailgate, other that this the car runs like a charm.