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Hey Team,

My daughter has a 1993 1.6L Civic. Ordinarily it starts very well and reliably with no problems. But twice now the car has sat for around a week without being started (it's normally used every day) and has then been very hard to start. There is static fuel pressure (40-45psi) and spark. Spraying carb cleaner into the IM makes no difference.
Both times I have messed around and checked everything for an hour or so and then it'll start trying to start and then it will start after more cranking. After that it'll start fine with no problems.

From reading the forums there is a relay of some sort that can cause problems, can someone tell me where it is? ('93 1.6L Civic 2 door). I also just saw a thread where if the ignition was left on for a minute or so it would start. I've only just seen that thread so didn't try that but it is a possibility.

Any other ideas?

Thanks
Paul

 
Rep Power: 518

I guess you need to see if it's got spark while it won't start...

and maybe pull a plug to see if it's wet or dry after cranking and no start.


The relay would be the PGMFI main relay, which operates the fuel pump and operates one of the power circuits to the ECM. Listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds when you turn the key on, and watch the CEL to see if the computer powered up when the key was turned on.

 
Rep Power: 228

Get the battery tested first. (even if it is less than 5 years old if it was deep cycled and drained low enough they never really recover).

Call a lube shop and see if they will check it for free (many do because they are hoping you'll buy from them).

also check the tightness of your alternator belt.


Hopefully it is one of those two and not an electrical gremlin, lol.

Good luck.

 
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Thanks for the replies team.

I did pull a couple of the spark plugs and there did appear to be good spark but they were dry which leads me to think it might be an injector control issue (?). The fuel pressure was up over 40PSI (around 43/44, and from what I found it needs to be between 40 and 47) so I'm discounting that for now. I did try holding a screw driver to the injectors to hear the "clicking". I thought I could hear it but maybe I didn't. It wasn't very distinctive and the ambient noise level was kinda high as well.
Can someone tell me where the PGMFI relay is? Is it normally something that can be checked/fixed or is it more of a replace it situation?

I don't think it will be the battery (although after all these years of surprises(!) I won't discount it completely either) as it's just over a year old and the car was cranking strongly for quite a while (not all at once).

Thanks again for any, and all, help.

Cheers
Paul

 
Rep Power: 518

Put a charger on the battery to keep it up..

Before tackling the main relay you ought to see if it's even a problem by checking the 2 items described earlier. (listen for pump and watch light)
You can go through it and resolder (retouch and add solder) everything on the circuit board, it's simple if you can solder.

Main relay ....I have a diagram showing it next to the dash fusebox.



Goggle surrch


HTH

 
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Thank you sir.