93' civic EX, 4 door

wont start..
starts depending on the weather hot/cold.
when engine is cold, acceleration bogs and looses power.

When i try to start, car powers up, dash lights go on, could hear fuel pump.
Then when i crank I hear the starter "CLICK" but engine doesn't turn.. The starter is engaging but doesn't seem to have power to turn the engine.

My temporary solution was to keep cranking,, even though engine wont turn. I make it click,click, and click... then it starts... when it starts,, it starts strong,,,not a slow crank... so im ruling out bad battery and bad starter.

keep in mind when i hold the key to crank,, the starter clicks once, and cant turn engine, i let go key, and repeat.. and repeat. and it usually starts.

Ive had this problem for at least 2 years now... but its getting worse.

I know i have syptoms of the MAin Relay, but most cars will still crank/turn over even if relay is bad...so if the engine wont crank, is it the relay??

changed battery last year.
320,000+ miles on my baby
original everything.
Even Original Starter!!! <------------maybe the problem??

hopefully its the relay, and not the starter... (i have to get dirty if its the starter)...


thanks in advance..

-al

 

Could be the starter sloenoid, loose connection (wires to the starter), faulty relay or the ignition switch????

I had that happen with my Teg, I took out the starter and had it checked at Autozone, put it back in and it worked fine. Probably just a loose connection that I fixed by putting it back (or it just needed to be reassured that it was still good).

I too have 320,000 miles on my 92 4dr Civic. Just about the only original parts left are the motor, starter and most of the interior electronics. Love these cars.

 

It won't be your main relay if you can hear your fuel pump turn on. Also with a bad relay, you engine will still turn, but not turn over.

edit: I'd get your starter checked (for free) at autozone.

 

Ok,, so anyone know where the 'starter solonoid' is or the 'ignitions switch' might be??

when you say 'ignitions switch' is that the mechanism the key goes into??

Is the 'starter solonoid' in the same area as 'master relay' does it look like a 'master relay' box??

thanks for the info so far.......

-al

 

some one show some love over here...

im gonna change the starter now..

I'll post my results..

-al

 

You are correct on ignition, the key makes electrical connection with different parts of the switch.
The solenoid is attached to the starter-the smaller cylinder that's riding piggy back.

 

ok thanks,,, was too lazy to replace starter yesterday, but i'm doing it today...

i'll post my results....

-al

 

New starter works like a miracle.....

Heres the results...

Problem: when trying to start car, all i hear was a 'click'. not the constant click, click ,click when trying to start on a dead battery. the engine will not even turn... just a single click...

i thought it was the main relay, cuz its still the original on my 93 civic ex 4dr. w/320,000 miles... but if if engine does turn but no start, it may be a relay problem... not to be confused with a starter problem...

solution: new starter... after all,, the old one had 320,000 miles on it...

the next problem is fixing the bogging/loss of power during acceleration under 3000rpm, on a cold engine, or when first started up after a 20min rest... i still have the loss of power but after the car gets going its gone.... my suspision lies in the main relay or fuel pump, and the fuel pump also has 320,000 miles...,,, im just gonna let it go for now. and fix it when the time comes...

remember to always post your results/solution...its no fun to come to the forum and see problems with no solutions...

this is my last post so...
till next time...

-al
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