Rep Power: 0

My good old 91 Civic has begun to not start more and more often now. It happened once a couple years ago but was fine for a year or so afterwards. Now about once or twice every two weeks it will fail to start for about 5 - 10 minutes. The starter cranks the engine over but theres no ignition. I've replaced the spark plugs, wires, and distributer all within the last year and the fuel filter within the past two years. Sometimes it happens when the car is cold, sometimes it happens after I've been driving for a while but turned the engine off to run into the store and returns some DVDs (like it did today).

When it doesnt work, I just try it again every minute or so. After a while it will just start up as if nothing wrong happened.

It never happens in a quite enough spot to hear if the fuel pump engages or not (I understand it gives off a slight hum if its working properly), and I dont know how else to tell if fuel is reaching the engine.

Anyways. Does this sound like a fuel pump problem like Im thinking? And if you think its a fuel pump problem, is there anything I can do about it? I understand the fuel pump is located in the gas tank

Thanks for any help

 
Rep Power: 291

more likely the relay for the fuel pump. i think on the 01-05's it's behind the glove compartment. i have no idea where it would be on a 91. i'd search around for info on the relay, before i go into pulling the fuel pump itself, especially if it's fine once it does start.

 
Rep Power: 278

With the doors shut it should be quiet enough to hear the pump unless you're in some construction zone. Shut the doors, turn the key 2 clicks and listen for a 1-2 second hum. If that is the problem, you'll have to pull the tank to get at it but like the Monkee says, check the relay first.

 
Rep Power: 291

I'm pretty sure it's a relay. my dad had a truck with a similar problem. to get it to start, you had to turn the key on and off about 10 times, and the fuel pump would finally start. then, sometimes when you shut the vehicle off, the fuel pump would keep running. he'd have to pop the hood, and whack, the relay a couple times with a screwdriver or something. i definitely wouldn't invest in a fuel pump till you replace the relay. and yeah, you should be able to hear it when it comes on.

 
Rep Power: 0

My 90 Civ Hatch does the same thing! I turn the key an the fuel pump won't come on, an thats when its really hot outside, on cooler days the car starts just fine!? The fuel relay is "if your sittin in your drivers seat, you have those fuses under the steering column, its to the left of that, kinda right behind the hood release, if you lay down an look under, you should see it, at least tahts where it is on my 90, shouldn't have changed in one years time, but let me know if you replace the relay an it works fine, or I'll let you know, cause thats my next thing to do

 
Rep Power: 278

I'm pretty sure the guy didn't wait 2 years to check his relay.