Car will not start and electrical systems going crazy?

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MEMBER
2004 HONDA CIVIC
1.7L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
148,000 MILES

When I try to turn the car over it will start but the motor shakes violently and the car shuts off. The gauged will go all over the place but there isn’t a CEL I can look up with my obd2 and the battery keeps draining.

Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 11:22 AM

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Most of the time when the electrical system is not acting correctly the battery is at fault. I would have the battery tested to be sure at an auto parts store. Can you upload a short video on what is doing on?

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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 12:51 PM

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Here’s a video.

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Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 AT 6:15 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Thanks for the video. The problem is not the battery. It seems like the engine is not getting fuel. Can you see if the engine will run on starting fluid?

Please go over this video to help us fix the problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t=1s&pp=0gcJCbAJAYcqIYzv

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Thursday, May 29th, 2025 AT 10:37 AM

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Okay, so no it doesn’t run on starting fluid. I replaced the fuel pump and filter and nothing. I unplugged the egr valve and as long as I am holding the gas pedal to the floor it will crank over but it runs really bad and sounds super bogged down.

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Sunday, June 1st, 2025 AT 5:56 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Hmm, it could have a clogged air filter or catalytic converter, also the timing belt could have jumped a tooth. Lets remove the spark plugs for inspection. Here is the timing belt marks as well so you can check it out. I had a thought it can be bad gas? How did the fuel look when you had the fuel pump out?

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