I have a 92 civic sedan with 150k miles. At times when I go to start the engine it will spin and not start. If I leave the car for sometimes 20-30 minutes the car will start. I had a distributor replaced in the past but it wasn't a Honda dealer replacement.
Any ideas?

 

I am having a similar problem but I know it is the distributer for sure. I would advise checking your belts, they might be too lose. You say 'it will just spin' you mean the engine turns over but no spark? Try checking your spark plugs and or your fluids. Give that engine what it really wants, some new oil. Tell me what that does, but check the tightness on your belts
Mr.Porsche

 

Hmmm. It might be the relay? Right by the hood latch. A friend of mine told me my starter could be going out because my car wasn't firing up strong. Got a used one from a guy parting his car out for $3 and the hards starts went away. Fired RIGHT up. Srong. It's the grey box under neath the hood latch. You'll need a 10mm wrench to get it off. That's if the Guru's on this site say don't check that yet. Good luck

 

This might sound weird...but clean your battery terminals with sand paper. Jafro (A reputable guy on here) told me to do that. It sounded crazy but by george it worked.

 

You are missing either fuel or spark. Your starter obviously works. I doubt you have a battery problem but it wouldn't hurt to make sure it's fully charged and clean terminals (doubt it's that either). I use the red spray on the terminals and the felt washers and NEVER have ANY corrosion.

More than likely it's the spark that's weak or intermittently missing. Take out the plugs and see how clean they are, check the gap too (should be .043 - .044). From there, look at your cap and rotor. If it's been awhile, just replace them (plugs too for that matter, get the correct NGK's). While you are at the parts store, have your igniter and coil with you and have them checked out. Wires are expensive and I'd replace those after you try all the other stuff. You can check the coil your self with an Ohm Meter and a Haynes Manual.

In summary, My money says it's the cap and/or plugs.

 

Sounds like your main relay. Read the symptoms here. http://www.marklamond.co.uk/howto/el...main-relay.htm

You can fix it yourself if you can solder (the link describes how). Or you can buy a new one.

When it won't start, turn your car to the "On" position. At this point your Check Engine Light (CEL) should come on and go off in about 2 seconds. During this time you should also be able to hear your fuel go on (under your rear seat). If you don't hear the fuel pump go on (prime itself), it is most likely your main relay. If the fuel pump does prime itself, it is NOT your main relay.

Sounds like a textbook main relay problem to me.

 

I agree with the main relay, but it could also be the distributor. I've had Autozone distributors on mine for years, no problems.

If you can swap good parts over to check, that would save some time and money guessing.

 

I got a used main relay for $10 when mine went out. Maybe you could get a used one and try it, put it in your spare parts if it's not it. Don't pay $60.

 

I just remembered about all the freakin' problems I had until I figured out the main relay was bad on my car. After I figured out what the problem was, I was able to just reach under the dash and flick the relay with my finger and it would click and work. Just turn the key to run, flick it and then start. Try that.

The relay is right behind the hood release.