Help car will not start after it is warm!

1sickboy1sickboy Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Ok this is not an every day problem but it is becoming an issue. I have a 91 DX 1.5 auto. As I said in the subject line, after engine is warm it has trouble starting. If I run the car and get it up to temp shut it down for 1-3 minutes it will not start back up. I have to let it set for 5-10 minutes and then it will start. I am getting all my dash lights, I can hear my fuel pump prime, and then the starter just turns over but motor start.

This has happened twice in the past 24 hours. It has happened five or 6 times in the past 4 months but it seems to be happening more. Now remember it doe's not happen all the time and it only seems to happen when the motor is up to temp never when cold.

Any help would be great!

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    We were just talking about this kind of problem. Here you go...

    http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9644
  • 1sickboy1sickboy Band Wagon
    Man I hope that it's as simple as the main relay. I just got it back from the shop after having $966.80 worth of repairs done to it. I blew a head gasket over a week ago. I had the head gasket replaced, head machined, cylinders re-sleeved, oil changed, new plugs and all new belts, I'm sure I am forgetting something.

    Anyways thanks again.

    If anyone else reading this has any other ideas what may be causing this please share.
  • doitdubdoitdub familEE
    The main relay would be a good start, as it's cheap and simple to fix...although I'm not sure if that's your problem. It normally happens when the cabin of the car is warm though, not necessarily effected by the engine temp.

    Does it drive fine? Bog or anything? You don't happen to have a spare O2 sensor you could put in, do you? The oxygen sensor could have gotten clogged from your head gasket smoking and may need replaced. Just a thought.
  • LayspeedLayspeed Wagonist
    I would say either your ignition coil or ignitor are faulty when warm. If you hear your fuel pump prime, it still could be the main relay. Does your check engine light come on when you hear the fuel pump prime for two seconds, because it should. Next time it doesn't start, pull a spark plug wire off and check for spark. That might help narrow things down.
  • 1sickboy1sickboy Band Wagon
    Hey thanks guys! I have not had a chance to dig into it.

    Layspeed wrote:
    I would say either your ignition coil

    The coil looks ok I cleaned it up when I was in the dizzy, could use a new one I guess. The ignitor is brand new I thought that was my problem when my head gasket was in the process of taking a dump.
    Layspeed wrote:
    Does your check engine light come on when you hear the fuel pump prime for two seconds

    Yes my check engine light comes on when my fuel pump primes.
    doitdub wrote:
    Does it drive fine? Bog or anything?

    No it runs great.

    When I get back from vacation in a week and a half, I'll start with the main relay and replace my coil.

    Thanks again all!
  • B18C5-EH2B18C5-EH2 Moderator
    A main relay issue is usually completely independent of the engine being warmed up or not. A main relay issue is usually worst after the car has been sitting (not running) in hot weather. Easiest thing to check - if the main relay clicks just as the check engine light goes out, and the car starts it's all good. If you hear no main relay click as the check engine light goes out after turning the key "on" and the car doesn't start, then you need a main relay. If the check engine light doesn't go out then it could be main relay or something else.

    What you describe sounds more like a problem with the TW/ECT sensor. It is a two wire sensor under your distributor. They usually also throw a check engine code when they're bad, but not always. Check for codes and see if you have any. Code 6 (TW/ECT sensor) specifically is what I'm thinking...
  • dj alodj alo Wagonist
    B18C5-EH2 wrote:
    A Easiest thing to check - if the main relay clicks just as the check engine light goes out, and the car starts it's all good. If you hear no main relay click as the check engine light goes out after turning the key "on" and the car doesn't start, then you need a main relay. If the check engine light doesn't go out then it could be main relay or something else.

    (TW/ECT sensor) specifically is what I'm thinking...


    this is what mine is doing as the light goes off ill hear a clicking sound. i guess ill have to go get a new on on saturday afternoon.
  • Rex LTRex LT Band Wagon
    you can get a new one or fix the old one. here is a how to
    http://crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f ... ay#p447964
  • 1sickboy1sickboy Band Wagon
    Thanks all! I will get to work on it when I get back from San Diego. I will be sure to keep you posted on what helps or works.
  • bigluelokbigluelok Wagonist
    main relay
  • tknowlestknowles Band Wagon
    Yes the symptoms you describe are usually due to a faulty main engine relay. I keep a spare with me.

    One time I had basically the same problem and it wasn't the relay, or the O2 sensor, or the coil. After months of trying all of those things I finally pulled the ground wire to the distributor off of where it is mounted on the thermostat housing, sanded all the contact area, rebolted it, and that fixed it. Next time I will start with that before buying relays and sensors.
  • creameycreamey Band Wagon
    There was a recall on the ignitor causing a no start. You can call the dealership and they can check if it's been replaced by your VIN. Also common for the coil to cause this problem. You can pull your main EFI relay a part and look at the solder joints to see if they are cracked. You can just reheat these joints. You dont have to buy a relay.
  • 1sickboy1sickboy Band Wagon
    So I got back from vacation last week and over my time away from my wag :( I kinda put the starting or lack of in the back of my mind. On Wednesday of last week, I was leaving work and my lil wag would not start! So I started looking under the dash to locate the "MAIN FUELPUMP RELAY". I had some idea of where to look but I needed to go back into my office and log on to HCW and do a search to make sure what I had been looking at was for sure the main relay.

    After getting some great pics I called Napa and Checker both with in a mile from me,they both had the part. So I went back out and started to pull the part out to do a simple test when I found that I did not have a socket set in this car, why would I it's a Honda. :D With some help from a friend's socket set that he left me before he split, I was able to drop the main down to get a hold of it and try and restart the car. No action, nothing no clicks after a couple of tries the damn thing clicked twice and the car started! So off to the auto parts store I went picked up the relay at Checker Auto "only because they were on my way home,nothing against Napa". And let me add the relay was $ 61.15 before I forget. So I got home changed it out in less that ten minutes and have not had any problems since. "knock on wood"

    I just like to say thanks to all of you here that had so much great input on this.
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