O4 civic hard start
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
O4 civic hard start
Hi
I have an 04 civic 1.7 auto
Some history, the car would crank but not start.
unplugged the crank angle sensor and it started and ran fine. I let it run one day cam back and was smoking blue gray smoke. Luckily not coolent.
replaced the sensor along with a t belt and pump.
car ran fine for 3 days. The crank no start came back.
checked for fuel. Pump running as it should. Pulled the plugs to see if they were wet, they were bone dry.
disconnected the fuel line from the rail and turned the key on. Got a good shot of fuel from the line. Reconnected it and the car fired right up.
next morning... no start. I unplugged the pump and cranked it. A stumble or two and quickly re connected the pump, it ran. It runs shifts has power and idles fine when it is running by the way.
replaced the pump/filter. The pump had mechanical damage, pump was broken off from the filter. Started right up. Next day... no start.
if I keep cranking sometimes it will start after the pump comes on for the second time.
Also watch the green key light. It comes on, than flashes, than solid green.
rechecked the timing Mark's. The pump is a delfi
only last thing maybe I bought NGK plugs haven't rechecked the OEM but the ones I bought may have been iridium (been several months lol)
any ideas?
one more thing this all started by letting our son drive the car. The oil change light came on.. he thought it was out of oil.. the car would not start. Was 5 quarts over full. I drained it... no start. Than unplugged the crank sensor......
I have an 04 civic 1.7 auto
Some history, the car would crank but not start.
unplugged the crank angle sensor and it started and ran fine. I let it run one day cam back and was smoking blue gray smoke. Luckily not coolent.
replaced the sensor along with a t belt and pump.
car ran fine for 3 days. The crank no start came back.
checked for fuel. Pump running as it should. Pulled the plugs to see if they were wet, they were bone dry.
disconnected the fuel line from the rail and turned the key on. Got a good shot of fuel from the line. Reconnected it and the car fired right up.
next morning... no start. I unplugged the pump and cranked it. A stumble or two and quickly re connected the pump, it ran. It runs shifts has power and idles fine when it is running by the way.
replaced the pump/filter. The pump had mechanical damage, pump was broken off from the filter. Started right up. Next day... no start.
if I keep cranking sometimes it will start after the pump comes on for the second time.
Also watch the green key light. It comes on, than flashes, than solid green.
rechecked the timing Mark's. The pump is a delfi
only last thing maybe I bought NGK plugs haven't rechecked the OEM but the ones I bought may have been iridium (been several months lol)
any ideas?
one more thing this all started by letting our son drive the car. The oil change light came on.. he thought it was out of oil.. the car would not start. Was 5 quarts over full. I drained it... no start. Than unplugged the crank sensor......
Last edited by Ted-04; Feb 4, 2019 at 09:13 AM. Reason: Adding information
Registered!!
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 15
Rep Power: 119 
Re: O4 civic hard start
You have tossed a lot of info out which makes this confusing.
So to get back to basics,
Will the car start without touching the gas pedal?
The immobilized system should blink the green symbol for a very short time when key is first turned to “On” and not show back up again. Are you turning the ignition switch to “Off” and back on to get the flashing/ solid results you described when trying to start?
Seeing blue smoke comming out of the tailpipe suggests you have a oil consumption problem and a catalytic converter failure.
Unless you replaced the crank sensor with a genuine Honda part and you used 1/3 can electrical contact cleaner, failing after 3 days would not surprise me.
So to get back to basics,
Will the car start without touching the gas pedal?
The immobilized system should blink the green symbol for a very short time when key is first turned to “On” and not show back up again. Are you turning the ignition switch to “Off” and back on to get the flashing/ solid results you described when trying to start?
Seeing blue smoke comming out of the tailpipe suggests you have a oil consumption problem and a catalytic converter failure.
Unless you replaced the crank sensor with a genuine Honda part and you used 1/3 can electrical contact cleaner, failing after 3 days would not surprise me.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: O4 civic hard start
Thanks
Currently the car has the correct oil level. Has a new fuel pump, timing belt, water pump and crank sensor and spark plugs installed with dielectric grease
Rarely will it start without touching the accelerator.
i just went out and re- looked at the light. it did not start right away...long cranking but did start without hitting the gas. drove it for about 50 miles on the highway. ran fine
The immobilizer,
Key on, solid green 2 seconds (about the same time as fuel pump prime) light turns off
Crank, maybe 10 seconds and "hits" 2 or 3 holes than starts (sometimes) light stays off
Key off, after running, blinks 5 times than off
My experience with most common contact cleaners on EFI automotive sensors is that the cleaner melts the part. The part is not "honda" stamped but is an OEM manufactured part.
When we have the crank/ no start it would appear as if the fuel injectors are not are not working.
Here is where guessing what is next gets costly. Its 180 miles to an auto parts store or the dealership and would will have to buy noid lights or fuel pressure adapters to test things properly
It will almost always start by long cranking. after it starts it runs perfectly fine. i do have a code scanner, no codes. my last worthy scanner was a Modis. if that gives ya an idea of how long it has been scene i had good diagnostic equipment
New question would be will the engine start and run with a bad crank angle sensor?
or Known intermittent cold failure of an ECM to not pulse the injectors?
or do I just buy a jump start box and a spare starter for when the one on there burns up lol
Currently the car has the correct oil level. Has a new fuel pump, timing belt, water pump and crank sensor and spark plugs installed with dielectric grease
Rarely will it start without touching the accelerator.
i just went out and re- looked at the light. it did not start right away...long cranking but did start without hitting the gas. drove it for about 50 miles on the highway. ran fine
The immobilizer,
Key on, solid green 2 seconds (about the same time as fuel pump prime) light turns off
Crank, maybe 10 seconds and "hits" 2 or 3 holes than starts (sometimes) light stays off
Key off, after running, blinks 5 times than off
My experience with most common contact cleaners on EFI automotive sensors is that the cleaner melts the part. The part is not "honda" stamped but is an OEM manufactured part.
When we have the crank/ no start it would appear as if the fuel injectors are not are not working.
Here is where guessing what is next gets costly. Its 180 miles to an auto parts store or the dealership and would will have to buy noid lights or fuel pressure adapters to test things properly
It will almost always start by long cranking. after it starts it runs perfectly fine. i do have a code scanner, no codes. my last worthy scanner was a Modis. if that gives ya an idea of how long it has been scene i had good diagnostic equipment
New question would be will the engine start and run with a bad crank angle sensor?
or Known intermittent cold failure of an ECM to not pulse the injectors?
or do I just buy a jump start box and a spare starter for when the one on there burns up lol
Dr Krieger of Modification
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 84
From: canada
Rep Power: 229 Re: O4 civic hard start
Being 5qts over the engine probably pushed oil out of many seals and possibly into electrical harness connections/sensors.
Clean everything, disconnect any wet connectors and dry everything.
(also check the oil daily for the first month after you fix it since there is a good chance the front or rear main seal may have blown out)
Clean everything, disconnect any wet connectors and dry everything.
(also check the oil daily for the first month after you fix it since there is a good chance the front or rear main seal may have blown out)
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
RotorBeav15
Fuel, Oil, Cleaners & Other Maintenance
3
Jul 10, 2017 11:51 AM
buc18
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
4
Oct 5, 2014 05:30 PM
Sethster99
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
9
Apr 6, 2013 12:51 PM
MegaHurtz
Fuel, Oil, Cleaners & Other Maintenance
2
Feb 19, 2010 01:39 PM
