Help! Civic wont start!

zlomax010zlomax010 Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Started my 91 wagon today, took off, 20 seconds down the road it stalled on me and refuses to start! No spark. Probably cap and rotor I'm guessing? Would the main relay make the car have no spark like that also?
Sorry for the newbie questions!
Thanks

Comments

  • CharbCharb Administrator
    How do you know you're not getting spark?

    Don't guess. Troubleshoot.

    I see nothing about you checking your fuses. Check them ALL. You'll be surprised what fuses control what. I spent two days diagnosing my new car because I overlooked a blown fuse that I though I had checked.
  • fast freddyfast freddy Wagonist
    I've explained this before however, sometime it does not come across very clear so I found a video just for you on how to test for spark.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K78XIhhjAQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    Good luck.
  • Unknown
    No the main relay wouldn't cut spark:

    Pull your cap quick and check to make sure your rotor screw hasn't backed out. report back!
  • zlomax010zlomax010 Band Wagon
    Hey guys . . . Found out it had nothing to do with spark! oops! I pulled the fuel cap off and the car started right away. There was tons of pressure in the tank. It died on me again today, so i pulled the fuel cap and it fired right up. Sound possible or is this just coincedence? The fuel cap isnt stock, so maybe it cant breathe?
  • from_si_to_isfrom_si_to_is Wagonist
    sounds like vapor lock to me

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vapor_lock
  • Call Me SirCall Me Sir Band Wagon
    I think the fuel cap was coincedence. I may be wrong but the Main Relay is the problem 90% of the time on any Honda product of this generation when you describe the symptoms you are having.

    1. Car randomly shuts off
    2. Car won't start
    3. Car starts after sitting for awhile

    ....all symptoms of a failing Main relay. Eventually when it completely fails the car will not start at all. What is happening is that there are solder points on the chip board that have become brittle over time with heat and vibration.

    If you have a $10 soldering iron from Wal-Mart, you can fix this. Simply remove the plastic cover from the relay you will see the solder points. Re-flow them touching the iron to the base of the chip board and the lead just long enough to melt the solder at each point. I alway add a touch of fresh rosin-core solder just to ensure there is sufficient "Flux" in the mix of solder to created a clean bond between the lead and board. After the unit has cooled for a few minutes, reassemble unit.

    It's as easy as that!
  • zlomax010zlomax010 Band Wagon
    Alright, I'm going to give the main relay a look and re-solder it. I'll keep you updated if I have problems! lol Thanks guys!
  • fast freddyfast freddy Wagonist
    This will help.
    A80297C3-502F-4242-92A5-34FC8B6D6468-89-000000065CA2AC53.jpg
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Thump the dash near the A-pillar for a quick fix. Please don't use this method continually, probably best left for emergencies.
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