Rep Power: 0

Hey Team,

My daughter has a 1993 Civic 1.6. Yesterday it wouldn't even turn over. The battery was good and after some fault finding I decided the issue was the starter so I went to Autozone and got a replacement. I put it in and the car turns over fine now but won't start, it won't even try. It has spark and fuel pressure but it doesn't sound like the injectors are firing (screwdriver tip on the injector with my ear on the handle).
I checked the fuses under the hood but haven't checked the fuses in the drivers' footwell (they are such a pita to check) yet.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Paul

 
Rep Power: 518

Are the spark plugs wet -- or dry?

 
Rep Power: 0

The one I took out to check spark was dry so I guess that's another sign that the injectors aren't firing?

 
Rep Power: 518

How much fuel pressure does it have?

Will it fire on carb cleaner sprayed into the intake?

Does the check engine light come on when you turn the key on? (checks if the computer is powering up)

test light on an injector connector while cranking: Is there power? Is there a pulsed ground?


Did you hit or damage the coolant temp sensors or wiring under the distributor?
Ground wires on the thermostat housing making good connection?

 
Rep Power: 0

All excellent questions.
I do have a fuel pressure gauge but only checked if there was pressure, not how much.
I'll try the carb cleaner test.
I didn't specifically look for the CEL so I'll have a look tomorrow. I did notice that it was cranking fast enough that I was getting oil pressure.
I'll have to get myself a test light as mine has broken.
Something I did notice is at some stage in the past someone has messed with the coolant sensor plug under the distributor. It's unplugged with a link wire shorting out the plug. I'm guessing the sensor is no good and someone just wired it so the fan runs all the time (which it does). I was going to get another sensor so I might get that tomorrow as well.

Thanks for your help so far.
Paul

 
Rep Power: 518

The radiator fan operates using the sensor on the thermostat housing.
If it runs all the time then either something is wrong or someone hacked something..



The temp sensors under the distributor screwed into the end of the head: One has a single wire, the other has 2 wires.

The sensor with 2 wires is the one the computer uses, so it's very important and has a lot of influence over fuel quantity injected.
If someone hacked this one, this might be a good place to start and make it right.

The single wire temp sensor operates the gauge on the dash.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

Sorry, my bad. Yes it's the fan switch that has been hacked with a link wire so the fan runs all the time.

Thanks for that info'. Bring back carbs I say ;-)

I'm on shift tonight and tomorrow so I'll get all this checked out on the weekend.
Cheers
Paul

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, just to close off this thread I checked all the wiring I could get to in and around the dizzy and starter motor. All seemed good but I reseated connectors just to make sure. No change. I then sprayed carb cleaner into the TB and not only did it start but it starts on it's own now, just like a normal car ;-)
So I have no idea what changed so it's now starting as it should, just that it is.
Hopefully it stays that way...

Thanks for the help/suggestions.
Paul

 
Rep Power: 149

Cool. Thats what it takes to get my stupid 2 stroke weedeater working ever spring. (diaphragm fuel pump sticks) Must have had a line of water in your system. Our 10% ethanol fuel around here keeps the moisture out. If you do not have it, might want to throw a bottle of gas dry in the tank. All it is is alcohol since it absorbs water and lets it go on thru