Rep Power: 309

I drive a 2001 civic lx automatic, has 108,000 miles and to this date the only problem I have had w/ the car is the tranny going out at 91k. The car has half a tank of gas and I haven't put any in since last sunday.

Well Friday after work I'm making the 6 mile drive home and about 4 miles into the drive my car begins to hesitate and then it shuts off. The radio is still on and my air conditioner as well. I push on the gas pedal and nothing so I put it in nuetral and coast into a parking spot in a shopping center. I came back about 8 hours later, it started right up so I drove it home. This morning I start her up for the first time since friday and before I can put the e brake down it stalls. It turns over like it wants to start but I get no love and it won't start. Guys help me out here. I have no idea what to do. I'm planning on checking the fuel filter after work. Hopefully that is all the problem is

if anyone has any idea what this might be or have suggestions please let me know!! HELP!!! lol

 
Rep Power: 0

I had a similar problem with my '01 HX. There is a recall for the reverse shift solenoid. The dealership told me the car actually puts the transmission into a kind of safe mode to keep from frying it. Funny enough this started happening to me 50 miles out of San Antonio on my trip from Colorado to Florida. I spent the next 2 1/2 days limping the car at 60 mph and breaking down every 2 hours. After they replaced the solenoid I have had no more problems and that was a year ago.

 
Rep Power: 453

so as of right now it turns over, but doesnt start?

I would start checking the basics, check and see if you have spark, fuel and compression. Knowing that is cranks over means the starting system is working fine. You may have had a fuel pump go on you and it finally gave.

First thing, get in the car and make sure everything is off, and turn the key to the II position (on position) and see if you can here the fuel pump run for 2seconds. If you can, you may still have a fuel delivery issue, but if you dont, then you know you have a fuel delivery issue.

Start there and let me know.

 
Rep Power: 309

so the fuel pump will make a noise? if I hear nothing than it is possible it is the pump? I'll check tonight after work and see whats up.

 
Rep Power: 453

when you turn the car to the on position (II), you should hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds, then stop. You should also hear the clicking sound of the relay de-energizing after the 2 seconds. The sound should come from the glovebox as thats where the PGM-FI relay is for the fuel pump. If you dont hear the pump, or dont hear that relay click, then you have a fuel delivery issue. It could be the pump that failed, or a failed relay.

 
Rep Power: 309

^^^^
I'll def check that out..

I just seen in another thread you said the fuel filter is in the gas tank =/ .. damn so it won't be that easy to get into? I was thinking about checking that after work hoping that would solve the little problem but now I'm thinking I should just wait till the weekend when I have more time on my hands..

thanks guys for your input. I'll get back w/ you in the morning and let you know whats up.

 
Rep Power: 453

Well there are other tests that can be used to tell if you have a clogged fuel filter. If you hook up a fuel gauge and you read really low pressure, more then likely you have a defective regulator or clogged filter or lines. If you have volume, but no pressure, you have a bad pump. If you have pressure, but no volume, you have a restriction.

And yes its in the gas tank, but you can test the system at the engine bay with a fuel pressure gauge.

 
Rep Power: 309

Good morning! =) I turned the key this morning to the II position and I looked at the glove box and heard a low hum and then a little click.

Can I get this guage at oriellys or autozone to check the pressure?

Thanks a lot for the info

 
Rep Power: 453

ok, sounds like the pump runs and the relay clicks. So yes next step would be to check the fuel pressure assuming the car still cranks, but doesnt start.

Now also make sure you dont have any codes set (DTC's) as this can be another reason why the car doesnt start.

What you can do is also check for spark. You will need a spark tester for this. I know on older cars with plug wires you can ground the plug to the engine and crank to see if the system is getting spark, but I am not sure if that also works with the Coil on plug setups. Thats why I recommend a spark tester for this.

And yes, if you go to oreilys, you can buy a fuel pressure gauge from them for around $40 to check for fuel pressure. You will need to tap into the fuel line at the engine bay right at the rail since we have no service port on it. Hondas have quick connects, so unless you can find the adapters for it, you have to tee into the line. Then you turn the key to the II position and crank it and check fuel pressure. If you have none, then more then likey the pump has failed.

But I would first see if you have any codes stored. Let me know and I can help you farther. You can probably purhcase a cheap code reader from autozone or any other auto place to do this since you cant take it to autozone to have it checked. I would highly recommend doing that first just to be sure.

Also a quick check is to pull the fuel line at the fuel rail and turn the key on and see how hard fuel comes out. I did this along time ago when my car didnt start after replacing the fuel filter and I had fuel come out, but it didnt shoot out like it had any pressure to it. See how hard it shoots out, you can use it some what to diagnose, but still a pressure gauge is the best end result for diagnosis. If the fuel shoots out really hard, then there is probably pressure. If it comes out, but not hard, you may have no pressure.

 
Rep Power: 309

Well today I will begin to mess w/ my car and figure out the problem =) Wish me luck guys. and Chris be ready for a phone call lol

Hey I seen on another forum that you could access the fuel filter by taking out the back seat of the car.. and get in the tank from the top with out dropping it. Is there any chance at all our civics are the same.. PLEASE SAY YES

 
Rep Power: 453

Yes thats how you get to the filter. Pull out the back seat, remove the access panel and lock nut. Now the locknut is a pain to put on and get off. You need a long screwdriver and hit the hell out of it to turn it. Use a rag of cource when hitting the locknut. there is a OEM special tool used to remove it, but maybe a parts store can recommend something.

But Before you do that, check the pressure.

Also if you do call, I wont be able to call you back till after 7 tonight, I start my new job at 1:30 and leave at like 6:30 I believe, so if you call just leave a message and I will call you back later

 
Rep Power: 309

I'm going to have to wait till next pay day. I don't have the $$$ to mess w/ the car. My buddy came over and took a look at it and we were just wasting time. I'm going to take it to a shop and have them find out whats wrong.. then I'll take it from there and fix the problem if possible. I'll get back with you guys and let you know what was wrong.

Dave

 
Rep Power: 812

i thought there was an ecu flash for the 01 idle problem.

 
Rep Power: 453

have you checked everything I told you too check. Give me a call if you can. I wont be on here much because for the past 3 days I havent been able to get on from my house. Something is wrong. I am on while at school.

 
Rep Power: 309

do I feel stupid!!!! well I have the car towed to the honda car shop Wednesday night and Thursday morning I called them up to make sure they got my car in and he tells me it is already fixed.

Problem: I installed my amps and subs before I put in an aftermarket head unit and I just ran the remote wire to one of the fuses under the dash. It happened to be the ignition fuse.. The FUSE came loose.. they took the wire off and pushed the fuse all the way in and it is fixed.. 80 bucks and problem solved. so that was a lesson learned.. don't rig **** up and do it right the first time. I paid 80 bucks for someone to push a fuse in.. wtf lol oh well. Thanks Chris for helping me out.

Dave
^feels pretty fvckin stupid