Randomly stalling unless given a little gas not it won't start at all

RIORIVER75

MEMBER
1990 HONDA CIVIC
130,000 MILES

I got an automatic 1990 honda civic LX. It's got 130000 miles, new battery and distributer. A few weeks ago, it started stalling right away when I started it, randomly. It seemed if I stepped on the gas while starting it would remedy the issue. It starts strong, turns over fine, but then its as if the gas dissappears right away. It doesn't sputter out and stall. Just goes straight from a good start and then the RPMS go to nothing and it stops. Any how, yesterday it finally wouldn't start at all. Turning over good, but wouldnt catch. After about 10 trys, it finally started up. Engine seems strong and good. I'm guessing its a fuel line clogged or the injectors, maybe the timing was not ever adjusted propperly or what?

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,200 POSTS

I would recommend checking fuel pump pressure first and then check for spark to the plugs. Directions are on our home page under the DIY section. Check it and let me know what you find.

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Sunday, November 27th, 2011 AT 6:55 AM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing