1995 Honda Civic it just won't start!

Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,105 MILES
I just bought a civic with a bad head gasket. While trying to flush the cooling system and drain it in preparation for the repairs it quit running. I replaced the head gasket and put everything back together and the damn thing won't start up for anything. I have checked everything I can think of. The camshaft position sensor the crankshaft position sensor, the throttle position sensor, the distributor, the resistance on every injector and the spark plug wires. I replaced the spark plugs, switched out the ecm, the intake manifold. I'm at a loss here.
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 AT 4:27 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When you put back the head-did you put engine no.1 piston on its compression stroke/TDC and line all the markings on the cam and crank sprockets as you see from the repair manual-
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Monday, June 23rd, 2008 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi howler33,

You mentioned checking almost everything so I take it that fuel and sparks are available.

Did you test the compression?

Normally after removal and installation of the head, the pistons might have dried out leaving no oil to provide compression.

Do a dry and wet compression test and try again.

Btw did you check the block face for runout?
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I tested the compression and I am unsure as to how much it should be. The timing is dead on. I have tried starting it for prolonged periods, so I assume the oil circulated properly.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi howler33,

The minimum compression required should be 135 psi at full throttle.

Yuo checked all the parts, did you test for fuel pressure and sparking during cranking?
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 AT 8:02 AM
Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Fuel pressure is there, and spark. It sometimes starts to turn over and just dies.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi howler33,

If the engines fires and then dies off, I have two suggestions.

1. Check the ground at the thermostat. If it is not secured well, the engine tends to die off after strarting.

2. Check the main relay, it runs the fuel pump and is controlled by the Ignition switch, starter and ECM. If the circuit board of the relay looks like has poor or cracked contact, resolder them.

Check for power output on terminal No 7, Yellow/Green wire, for 2 seconds when ignition switch is turned on and will be continous while cranking.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It doesn't quite fire, I checked the relay but not the power. I know it is getting battery voltage when the key is turned. There is a clicking sound sometimes like the relay is going crazy when I try to start it. The ground from the valve cover gasket to the frame is good as far as I know.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The timing is right on. I even checked the ignition timing. All are where they should be.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi howler33,

There is power to the relay, but is there output power to the fuel pump?

If the realay seems like crazy, most probably it is faulty.

"Check main relay for power output on terminal No 7, Yellow/Green wire, for 2 seconds when ignition switch is turned on and will be continous while cranking."
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
HOWLER33
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I hear the fuel pump coming on and I can hear it operating while trying to crank.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi howler33,

Did you check the grounding point at the thermostat housing?

While crankiing, was spark available all the time and was the color of the sparks bluish? If reddish, the coil is no good.
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Friday, June 27th, 2008 AT 11:26 AM

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