Rep Power: 0

Hey everyone!

I'm the owner of a 2001 Civic LX coupe with 211,000 miles on it. I bought the car as a project because I'm learning how to do my own maintenance. Last night, my cousin joined me in replacing the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, camshaft position sensor, and crankshaft position sensor. We also replaced the alternator belt and power steering belt. My cousin is not a novice mechanic and he knows what he's doing. It took us all day to perform the job, but when we finally finished, we had a few issues starting the car.

I attached a video in an effort to describe in as much detail as possible what's going on.

Of course, we did our best to ensure that the engine was at top dead center during the timing belt replacement. We followed both the Haynes manual and the Chilton manual. We had a few Youtube videos up and followed along.

The reason we decided to replace the camshaft position sensor is because I had received a check engine light, accompanied by limp mode, indicating that there was a problem with this sensor. This car has allegedly had issues with oil leaks in the past, and I assumed that it would be prudent to replace the crankshaft position sensor at the time of the timing belt change. As expected, the crankshaft position sensor was caked in gunk. It was replaced with a non-OEM part. The camshaft position sensor WAS replaced with an OEM Honda part. I purchased the Continental Timing Belt Pro kit off rockauto.

Once we reassembled everything, we attempted to start the car, but received a check engine light code that the engine coolant temperature sensor was malfunctioning. Today, I went to Auto Zone and replaced the part with a Duralast component. I said a prayer that this would fix the no start condition; however, it did not.

Strangely enough, it seems as if the car has an "easier" time starting if I give it a little gas while it's cranking. I should note that I replaced the fuel pump and filter about two weeks ago. I'm not sure if you can hear it on the video, but there is an audible "click" from the relay and I can clearly hear the fuel pump working.

There are no codes stored or pending when I hooked up my scanner.

It's probably important to note that I drove the car for about 45 minutes today with absolutely no issues whatsoever. She accelerates wonderfully, there's no audible engine "knock," there's no stalling or problematic functioning with the vehicle whatsoever. The issues lies in getting it to start. Once she fires up, she runs well.

I was thinking that perhaps, given the chronic oil leak issues that have plagued this vehicle, a sensor may have been exposed to debris when my cousin and I lifted various components out of the way to complete the timing belt job.

My current plan is to painstakingly work my way through each and every sensor connection and check them for debris. I was also considering cleaning out the IACV and possibly replacing the air charge temperature sensor.


The above link will take you to the video.

I would really appreciate any and all help that anyone has to offer. The annoying sound from the video is stemming from the exhaust heat shield, it's not coming from the engine bay. Also, it's a 20 year old car with over 200,000 miles on it - it's got some body issues. Things creak and rattle a bit. Nonetheless, she's my little project. I love the way she drives and I intend to figure out what's going on here.

Thanks guys!

 
Rep Power: 126

Probably because of the crank position sensor. I’m guessing it’s in limp mode which is why it’s having a pain of a time starting.

Other than that, I’d double-check timing.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the response!

I've got a Denso crankshaft position sensor on the way.

Just to clarify, you believe the sensor is in limp mode? Because the car is definitely not in limp mode, I've been there. There's no loss of power or any different behavior from prior to changing the timing belt. This leads me to believe that the timing is correct (I'll still check it when I replace the sensor), and that the crank sensor is poop.

Really appreciate the response, thanks again!

 
Rep Power: 126

I’m implying the car would be in limp mode.

The only other thing I can think of is the coolant temp sensor is bad. That’ll cause a hard start but usually that’ll throw P0118.

 
Rep Power: 0

Ah I see what you mean, yea the car is not in limp mode.

I did receive P0118 and replaced the sensor with some rando duralast component from autozone. The readings from the scanner seem fine and the temp gauge is working normally, but again I'm taking a risk with trusting an aftermarket sensor. I'm going to get an OEM ECT sensor, too.