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Hey everyone,
I just recently bought my 1999 civic coupe ex. Everything has been running totally fine, other than a few minor things. The biggest of my worries is that every once in a while (usually either going to or leaving work, go figure) I have trouble starting her up. I turn the key only for my dash lights to come on. It takes a couple more turns for the engine to turn over. Anyone know what I should check out first?

Thanks for your time.

 
Rep Power: 518

The right way of diagnosing is to follow a wiring diagram and actually check voltages at various places in the starter circuits, but.......I guess right now we can play 20 questions.



Auto trans or manual?

Does it make a loud "clunk" from the engine compartment when you twist the key and nothing happens?

When it doesn't start: Have someone tap on the starter while you twist the key (or vise-versa). Does that get the starter to crank?

 
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Isn't a '99 a 6th-gen?

 
Rep Power: 518

Yep.

 
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So it's a wiring problem? It just happened again...I had to turn the key 5 times for the motor to start, prior to the motor starting the dash lights came on as well as radio and ac, if that helps at all with diagnosis.

It is an automatic transmission, unfortunately. And no loud clunks or anything.

Again, thanks so much guys!

 
Rep Power: 518

Nobody said that.

Actual diagnosis was recommended, and that takes some test equipment (and a wire diagram if one doesn't already know how it all works).



I'd hate to just tell you to replace (random part) and not have it fix the car. That's why I recommended diagnosis.
Your description makes me think of a bad starter or a loose female terminal on the small wire at the starter.

 
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This is random but I find for my car (98 honda Civic Coupe) I have to turn the car over more when I have less gas in the tank. Full tank and she starts immediately. Empty tank? Takes about 4 turns for her to start. Not sure what the issue is, maybe fuel lines are having issues.

 
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I have a 99 civic with the same issue as well.
Full tanks starts right away, 1/3 or less takes a while.
Somebody told me fuel pump, but they weren't sure.

 
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i got a 98 d16y5 crank no start problem. just rebuilt bottom end. got sprk and getting fuel timing is at TDC. she will start with my foot to the floor but it will barely run then die after about 5 seconds. while its running my foot is still to the floor and it just puts along until it dies then it won't start back up. i have no clue what it is any help would be great. i also have even compression across all cylinders. so its not a loss of compression(i don't think anyway) help me please I'm dying over here

 
Rep Power: 518

What were the compression test results? I expect to see 180 PSI or higher.


Timing isn't supposed to be at TDC.
Is the cam timing correct?


Are the spark plugs wet or dry?

Got fuel pressure? Will it run better if you give a shot of carb and throttle cleaner into the throttle body?
How large of an air gap will the spark jump? It's gotta be able to jump a whole lot more gap than just a spark plug laying on the valve cover.

Got harness plugs swapped between the TPS and the MAP sensors?

Got codes?
Got scanner data list? Check all sensor outputs for being correct and plausible?

Got grounds clean and tight on the thermostat housing?

 
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i know the timing is not supposed to be TDC but i figured i would get it there just to run even if its rough so i could dial it in with the timing light later. i had only a little higher than 120 across the cylinders. spark plugs are a little wet but not drenched. the spark jumps not like really far but it seems to be good spark. got plenty of fuel pressure. the guy who owned the car before me did the swap from the y8 to y5and the wiring is pretty sketchy looking. i don't have codes or data. it was running fine then i deployed and my wife was driving when the crankshaft key sheared so when i got back i replaced crankshaft, key, bearings, clutch,flywheel whole new distributor wires and plugs.

 
Rep Power: 518

Why does compression appear to be so low?
that looks like a place to start

 
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it held the pressure when i did the test but idk why its so low should i do a blow down test?

 
Rep Power: 518

Double check cam timing first. A tooth or 3 off would explain low compression and no power.