Turns over ... but doesn't start(solved)

89rtmama

Greetings Wagon Friends!

So, I saw the Check Engine light flicker oh-so-briefly while driving the other day, and since it didn't come back on I continued on my way. (It had been a long day and I was beginning an hour+ long drive home ... I know, bad wagoneer, no donuts). Got home, parked. Next morning, when I started her up, the engine turned over but didn't go anywhere.

Backstory: A few days before this happened, my battery had gone dead (left the lights on, I haven't done that in years :roll:). I had gotten a jump and driven her for an hour to get it charged back up.

So, when she wouldn't fully start, I figured the battery was weak or something and just tried getting off the line quicker. That worked, the next couple of times I started. Then I went and (foolishly :?) parked in my parents' driveway, which slopes down to their garage. Ha ha. Next time I started her, she turned over, but wouldn't start ... same routine ... but alas, I couldn't get off the line (going in reverse uphill) fast enough to get going.

I was going to have her towed to a shop, but then, said shop said it would be $99 just to look, and another $80/hour to fix. Dad-the-mechanic said it seemed like the ignition switch to him (because it starts up fine when the key's in position III and dies as soon as the key comes back to position II). So I am thinking of just buying a new ignition and putting it in myself with the help of Handy Husband. (He replaced the ignition on his 87 Subaru a few months ago so he feels pretty confident that he can give me direction.)

But reading some of the posts here, I'm wondering whether it would be smarter to check the codes first (since I did see the Check Engine briefly that one time) and find out if there any clues to whether it's a fuel problem or what.

Does this definitely sound like the ignition switch to y'all? Other ideas? I've got the Codes list bookmarked ...

Many thanks,

Jenny

curt

http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... .php?t=671
check for codes could be the distributor.

SiWagon

:? It's easy to pull a CODE.Pull up the Passenger side carpet.On the slanted side where ur feet would rest.you'll see a gold cvr with a blinking red LED in the middle.

Start counting the blinks .e.g. 1 flash...pause...5 flashes means 15.If there are multiple CODES keep counting till it starts to repeat.7 flashes long pause...1 flash...pause...5 flashes long pause...7 flashes long pause...means CODE 15& 7 .

:arrow: Now you can use the link that curt refered to.
I don't think it's the ignition switch.I'd start the hunt here first:
http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... .php?t=104

wagodizzle

sounds like a Main Relay to me.

michaelhinkle1

wagodizzle wrote:

sounds like a Main Relay to me.

kinda sounds like my old problem. listen to martin. just make sure you take your old main relay in so they don't get a part mix up like they did me.

search around i did a write up on the main relay location.

89rtmama

I'm starting to think "Code 20" is a synonym for "Red Alert..."

That's the code I got (Handy Husband helped me peel up the carpet ... it made me feel super wimpy not to be able to do that on my own, but anyhow ...)

Dad the Mechanic still thinks based on the symptoms that it's the ignition switch, which he said would be an electrical problem, so the code makes sense ... but it seems like you guys are saying it might not be the ignition. Is it worth it to try the ignition and see if that works?

Thanks for any advice,

Jenny

Haydz

90blackcrx wrote:

Code 20 - Electric Load Detector

First make sure you have a good battery....


Open the Main Fuse box lid (Right side shock tower).
Disconnect the 3 point connector, from the ELD unit. (Follow the harraness that runs through the box).
With the ignition switch ON, there should be battery voltage between the BLK/YEL(+) and BLK(-) terminals.

If there is no voltage, check for:

Blown No. 14 (10A) fuse in the dash fuse box.
An open in the BLK/YEL(+) wire between the dash fuse box and the main fuse box.
Pour ground (G201)
If there is voltage then goto the next step.....

Check for voltage between the GRN/RED terminal and body ground with the ignition switch ON. There should
be approximately 5V.

If the voltage(5V) is not specified, check the alternator control system.
If the voltage is as specified then goto next step.....

Connect the 3 - Point Connector to the ELD unit.

Check for volatage between the GRN/RED terminal and body ground, with the ignition switch ON and turn on the
headlight low beam's.

There should be approximately 2V.

If the voltage(2V) is not specified, replace the main fuse box (ELD unit is not available separately)
If the voltage is as specified above, ELD unit is OK.

Maybe just try a known good battery to start with, seeing as you have recently flattened your one.

Did you change your email address? Because i saw that you were deactivated when i was doing my thing with the user accounts last night.

89rtmama

Well, Dad the Mechanic was right. On the off chance that he might be right (given his experience over the years), we bought an ignition switch at Napa and put it in there, and it did the trick. There was a little issue with the new switch because one of the screws from the old one wouldn't fit ... problem easily solved with duct tape and a zip tie.

I did about 75% of the work so I'm feeling quite proud of myself. Handy Husband helped with a lot of it and Dad the Mechanic loaned an essential L shaped hex wrench that he happened to have laying around in a drawer.

Yay ... and now I even know what a Code 20 is.

Cheers

Jenny

Re: My account, I changed the email address so I could get an update when my question was answered at the email address I used most often. I didn't realize it would disable my account.

89rtmama

That was the best part.

SiWagon

89rtmama wrote:

I'm starting to think "Code 20" is a synonym for "Red Alert..."
That's the code I got (Handy Husband helped me peel up the carpet ... it made me feel super wimpy not to be able to do that on my own, but anyhow ...)Jenny

That fear is from the ''Terminator'' movie.

GREAT :!: You saved $2OO bucks.

89rtmama

You saved $200

I know! That was great, starting her up and knowing I'd saved all that money.