AdamJ

Hi folks. New to the forum and hope you don't mind assisting! My car is a 1995 Acura Integra LS with automatic transmission. The problem I'm experiencing is that the engine will require 8-10 long cranks before it starts after it sits for 1-2 hours. Nearly every day, I come home at 5PM, if I try to start the car at 7PM it will act this way. When I go to work in the morning and leave work in the afternoon it always starts right up. This is what I have done so far, along with additional information:

# Replaced main fuel relay
# Replaced fuel filter
# Replaced purge control solenoid and filter
# Checked fuses (none are blown)
# Battery voltage is ~12.4 sitting and ~14.4 running
# Idle is perfectly 750RPM at normal operating temperature (no surging, fluctuations, lag, etc)
# Replaced spark plugs, distributor cap, and rotor
# Spark plug wires have ~30,000 miles on them
# Spark plug wires measure below 1300ohms impedance
# Entire distributor assembly was replaced ~12,000 miles ago
# Cleaned battery terminals, clamps, and grounds (chassis, valve cover, radiator)
# Timing was set to stock 11 months ago
# Coil measured 0.8 and 18.2k impedance (within the acceptable range)
# CEL acts normal (comes on for two seconds then turns off)
# When the car has trouble starting, audibly the starter sounds like it's functioning properly (no clicks).
# In the past 10 months, 4 or 5 times the engine has died when I shift from Park to Reverse. It easily starts back up. I'm not sure if this is related.

When testing the Ignition Control Module (ICM) resistance at wires BLK/YEL and WHT/BLU with GROUND I'm seeing 0.0 rather than 12v battery voltage. This was measured with the coil removed. For a ground I tried all different places on the chassis, valve cover ground wire, etc. Would this indicate a faulty ICM or a bad ground? Keep in mind the car normally starts 90% of the time, but does not like starting if it has been sitting for a little while - heat related? I'm running out of ideas and this is driving me insane.

I opened up the ECM and it looks perfect. No leaking capacitors or anything. I also have high resolution ECM photos if requested.

At this point I'm not sure if it's the ICM, Ignition Switch, Starter, or something else. Thanks in advance.

TheOtherDave™

My bet is the starter... specifically the internal solenoid switch.
It's certainly old enough to fail; heat would hasten the issue.

AdamJ

Yeah, I think I should swap it out.

AdamJ

I ordered a new fuel pressure regulator. Sounds like this could be my problem.

2001TEGGSR

Does it sound weak and slow to turn over when you have this problem?

If turnover is constant you can probably rule out the starter.

Lynxs1981

Could also be a failing fuel pump.

AdamJ

The turnover sounds strong. If I give it gas while cranking it, the engine will crank faster.

AdamJ

I ended up taking the car to a local Acura dealership because I needed an oil change. After they changed my oil, the car wouldn't start (as usual) - they said they weren't getting any spark and blamed the ICM. Of course, they wanted nearly $300 to swap it out. I bought a new ICM at AutoZone and installed it this afternoon. I drove the car around for 10 minutes to get the temperature up then parked it in the garage. I tried to start it exactly an hour later and it had the same no-start symptoms

What the **** is the problem! My coil measured fine but maybe it's faulty?

Spec R

sounds like something fuel pressure related, but thats a pretty broad range of problems.

have u hooked up a fuel pressure gauge and tested the voltage/resistance of your fuel pump?

you sound pretty competent, so im sure u can do that yourself.

whatinthe

Check ur temp sensor. If it is malufunctioning and telling ur computer that its cold all the time it wud make it run really rich. Ur cold start valve wud also but a good thing to check. If it stays open it might do all that too.