Rep Power: 0

Ok... here goes.

I have been fighting with my son's 87,000 mile 94 DX, and it I am at my wit's end. I have not been able to find anything online that has worked, so I am posting here to see if someone may be able to help me.

Car ran fine for 3 days after purchase... woke up one morning.. won't start. Turn the key on, it turns over but won't start. I turn the key off, then wait a sec or two, turn it back on, check engine light comes on,and the fuel pump does not engage.

If you turn the key on and wait about 30-40 seconds, the pump finally does it's 2 second prime, the CEL goes off, and the car starts and runs perfectly.

If you turn it off and turn it back on, it may only take 10 seconds for the pump to kick in this time.

Turn it off and turn it on again, it only takes a second or two.

It's almost like there would be a capacitor somewhere that is warming up, and then the pump kicks in.

Changed the fuel pump as well as the main relay, since most of the posts that I have found have said that these were the most two likely culprits. (Fuel pump needed to be changed anyways, as it sounded like a gravel crusher was under the rear seat) but to no avail.. the problem still exists.

I realize that I am a complete newbie here, but I would be eternally grateful for any insight that you may be able to provide.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 334

that sucks, low miles too.

 
Rep Power: 322

that sucks. You might want to try honda-tech. They have more knowledge on 6th gen civics then here. Is it cold when the car has trouble turning over? might be a battery issue?

i would also check and try replacing the fuse, sometimes when fuses get old they need to be replaced even if there not blown.

for example my amp stopped working after a yr. I checked the fused and it looked perfect. So i thought it was a bad ground some where, so i re-did all the grounds. Still didnt work. Someone told me to try swaping the fuse and it worked.

 
Rep Power: 0

think maybe u have clogged fuel filter, or fuel lines??? could be taking a lot of pressure to build up enough to get fuel through the lines initially until u get her running???

 
Rep Power: 239

i would have to go with hte post above me, Fuel filter perhaps?
if not...maybe the pumps starting to go and/or a bad ground somewhere?

 
Rep Power: 813

it almost sounds like vapor lock. or something with the fuel system. bad fuel pump maybe? get a fuel gauge and measure the pressure to be sure it is within spec. if not, its either a clog in the lines somehow or bad fuel pump.

 
Rep Power: 291

i think it's an electrical issue. if the fuel pump has been replaced, i'd say that takes care of that possiblity. or maybe not. did you have this issue even with the old pump?? i don't see this being an issue with the filter, or the fuel itself, as the pump is not running. were it vapor lock, wouldn't you still hear the pump running?? same with a clogged filter?? i'd get a service manual, or at least check one, and make sure that there isn't a second relay for the fuel pump somewhere. my dad had an old ford truck with a bad relay, and it used to take a number of turns of the key to get the pump to come on. also, sometimes after shutting off the vehicle, the fuel pump continued to run. have you by any chance noticed it doing that?? and, as much as i hate to say this, could it be an ecu problem?? if it's lighting up the CEL, obviously the ECU is at least aware of the problem. possibly it's failing to send a signal to the relay? or am i way off here, and the fuel pump relay is just controlled by the ignition switch?? The best suggestion i can offer here is to get the code for the CEL and see what that says. post it up here, maybe someone will know what it means. also, like mentioned before, check honda-tech, and definitely google the code, too, to see what you come up with. best of luck to you, and welcome to the site.

 
Rep Power: 291

one other thing, call whoever sold you the car, tell them what its doing, and see if they have any suggestions. possibly it's done this before.

 
Rep Power: 332

i think it's an electrical issue too. the CEL should come on with the ignition when the car isnt started, so it might not be throwing a code, but I would check to see if there is a code stored or pending. have you put your finger over the fuel pump relay while turning the key? If it clicks on right away, that tells you the computer and wiring up to the relay is good. If not, check the integrity of the wiring to the relay, continuity to the ecu fuel pump output and ground, and 12v with ignition and continuity between the relay and fuel pump. If you don't find a problem here, my guess is a failing ECU.

 
Rep Power: 0

I really appreciate everyone's input..

It's definitely not a fuel issue, as the filter has been changed and pump and the main relay.

I checked the CEL and it is not throwing a code, and the relay does click right away when I turn the key, and then clicks again a few seconds to a minute later when the fuel pump does it's prime.

I am going to check the ignition switch and start looking for a bad ground somewhere. That all I can figure.

 
Rep Power: 332

yea, the relay will shut down if the ECU doesnt see the car running, otherwise the pump would stay running and kill the battery. Id check the wire going from the relay to the fuel pump make sure it isnt damaged or shorted or has high resistance. also check the fuel pump ground.