Hard Starting?

STEVENMILLER404

MEMBER
2009 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
140,000 MILES

My car has been starting up weak from time to time recently. However, the car does not crank over and over and over, it does it just once like normal but it just seems weak. For example, I turn the key and it begins to turn over but it almost stalls before it does, but it normally manages to turn over and the car begins idling. There have been a couple of times when it would start up normal (not seeming like a weak start) but then stall completely right away. But anytime either of these two things happened, I would turn the car off and try it again, and it would start up without any problems.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 6:59 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

Interestingly, that sounds like a weak fuel pump. I want you to try something and see if it makes a difference.

Try this:
1) With the key in the off position, turn it to the run position (Not Start) and count to 5.
2) Turn the key off and repeat step 1 three times.
3) On the 4th time, see if it starts normally.

Let me know what happens.

Take care,
Joe

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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 8:29 PM

STEVENMILLER404

MEMBER
16 POSTS

I tried that and it started up perfectly. However, the problem is that 95% of the time I'd say the car starts up properly. But it's on those other times where it starts up weak or perhaps stalls that has me worried. It's been happening more lately. I did notice that my battery has some corrosion around one of the connections. Would it be to simple to say that my battery is failing and might be causing the issue?

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 3:22 PM

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,295 POSTS

I would suggest cleaning that corrosion and re-tightening the battery terminal until you can't move the terminal by hand. Corrosion indicates a weak connection there, and that weakness could explain intermittent sluggish starting.

If that doesn't do it, my next move would be to have the battery tested. Your local auto parts store can do it. I would take the battery out and get a ride there to leave it for full charging and testing. They do this for free.

After that I might look into changing the fuel filter and other such things. But go with the KISS method of diagnostics. Keep It Super Simple.

Let us know what you find.

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 9:16 PM