EKK wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> louder than before.

=================

Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.

'Curly'

===============
--

 

EKK wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> louder than before.

=================

Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.

'Curly'

===============
--

 

EKK wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> louder than before.

=================

Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.

'Curly'

===============
--

 

> Isn't this one of the years that was recalled for the ignition switch?

Good call. Yes, according to http://www.nhtsa.gov there is an ignition
switch recall for the 99 Civic. See NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000

 

> Isn't this one of the years that was recalled for the ignition switch?

Good call. Yes, according to http://www.nhtsa.gov there is an ignition
switch recall for the 99 Civic. See NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000

 

> Isn't this one of the years that was recalled for the ignition switch?

Good call. Yes, according to http://www.nhtsa.gov there is an ignition
switch recall for the 99 Civic. See NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000

 

> Isn't this one of the years that was recalled for the ignition switch?

Good call. Yes, according to http://www.nhtsa.gov there is an ignition
switch recall for the 99 Civic. See NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V120000

 

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> EKK wrote:
> >
> > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > louder than before.
>
> =================
>
> Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
>
> 'Curly'
>
> ===============
> --

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
rotor (and a tune up in general...)

 

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> EKK wrote:
> >
> > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > louder than before.
>
> =================
>
> Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
>
> 'Curly'
>
> ===============
> --

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
rotor (and a tune up in general...)

 

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> EKK wrote:
> >
> > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > louder than before.
>
> =================
>
> Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
>
> 'Curly'
>
> ===============
> --

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
rotor (and a tune up in general...)

 

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> EKK wrote:
> >
> > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that won't
> > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine but
> > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2 seconds at
> > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key it
> > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > louder than before.
>
> =================
>
> Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
>
> 'Curly'
>
> ===============
> --

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
rotor (and a tune up in general...)

 

EKK wrote:
> "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> > EKK wrote:
> > >
> > > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that
won't
> > > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine
but
> > > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2
seconds at
> > > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key
it
> > > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > > louder than before.
> >
> > =================
> >
> > Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> > distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
> >
> > 'Curly'
> >
> > ===============
> > --
>
> Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
> rotor (and a tune up in general...)

Back in March I posted to this group about my 99 civic not starting. I
replaced the distributor cap and rotor back in march, and it has
started everytime since, until today. Today, it seems like a very
similar problem, although the rotor and distributor cap are fine. When
I turn the key, the starter whirs, and I hear a few clicks. I think
the fuel pump is fine (I need to make sure tonight, but I seem to
remember hearing it click on this morning). I do hear a few clicks
while the starter is running, coming from the engine.

A few mentioned the main relay, which if the fuel pump is coming on
then it isn't that, and a few others mentioned ignition switch or the
ignitor. How can you determine that?

Also, maybe a stupid question, but how do you check for spark? I
wonder (and kind of hope because they are easy to replace) if it is the
spark plug wires.

Thanks for any additional help.

 

EKK wrote:
> "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> > EKK wrote:
> > >
> > > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that
won't
> > > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine
but
> > > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2
seconds at
> > > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key
it
> > > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > > louder than before.
> >
> > =================
> >
> > Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> > distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
> >
> > 'Curly'
> >
> > ===============
> > --
>
> Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
> rotor (and a tune up in general...)

Back in March I posted to this group about my 99 civic not starting. I
replaced the distributor cap and rotor back in march, and it has
started everytime since, until today. Today, it seems like a very
similar problem, although the rotor and distributor cap are fine. When
I turn the key, the starter whirs, and I hear a few clicks. I think
the fuel pump is fine (I need to make sure tonight, but I seem to
remember hearing it click on this morning). I do hear a few clicks
while the starter is running, coming from the engine.

A few mentioned the main relay, which if the fuel pump is coming on
then it isn't that, and a few others mentioned ignition switch or the
ignitor. How can you determine that?

Also, maybe a stupid question, but how do you check for spark? I
wonder (and kind of hope because they are easy to replace) if it is the
spark plug wires.

Thanks for any additional help.

 

Hi

If the starter runs, but much quicker (you say it 'whirrs'?) than normal it
could be that the starter is bad; normally the gears are supposed to engage
to the mating end on the engine and it could be that the starter is just
spinning without actually turning the engine over. In this case you will not
see a spark, so I'd make sure of that first.

If your starter is good and you do need to test for spark, you may want to
get a simple widget (<$6, I think it was) they sell at autozone/pepboys: it
has a sparkplug looking connector on one end, a 'roach clip' on the other
and an adjustable airgap in the middle. It will let you test for spark
without having someone else start the engine. Hook it instead of one
sparkplug and start the engine -- if you have a spark, you will see it.

If your starter is good and you don't see a spark, make sure your rotor (the
thing under the cap) is indeed turning - if it isn't, you probably have a
broken timing belt.
Of course, check the cap, rotor, wires, plugs, etc.
If none of that is the problem, check to make sure you are getting power to
your distributor.

(The following I actually learned on this newsgroup and it works well. I had
been using a scope before, but the following is way easier)
The ignitor you can check by putting a 12V lightbulb across the primary of
your coil. If you see the bulb flash when you are starting, your ignitor is
good -- if it doesn't, disconnect your coil and try again: a coil could fail
shorted and will cause it not to flash.
If it still doesn't flash, your ignitor is probably bad. If it does flash,
I'd check the coil.

Hope this helps you fix the problem.
Remco




<donotemailme@ekkinc.com> wrote in message
news:1100550588.918586.254710@c13g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> EKK wrote:
> > "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
> news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> > > EKK wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that
> won't
> > > > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine
> but
> > > > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2
> seconds at
> > > > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key
> it
> > > > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > > > louder than before.
> > >
> > > =================
> > >
> > > Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> > > distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
> > >
> > > 'Curly'
> > >
> > > ===============
> > > --
> >
> > Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
> > rotor (and a tune up in general...)
>
> Back in March I posted to this group about my 99 civic not starting. I
> replaced the distributor cap and rotor back in march, and it has
> started everytime since, until today. Today, it seems like a very
> similar problem, although the rotor and distributor cap are fine. When
> I turn the key, the starter whirs, and I hear a few clicks. I think
> the fuel pump is fine (I need to make sure tonight, but I seem to
> remember hearing it click on this morning). I do hear a few clicks
> while the starter is running, coming from the engine.
>
> A few mentioned the main relay, which if the fuel pump is coming on
> then it isn't that, and a few others mentioned ignition switch or the
> ignitor. How can you determine that?
>
> Also, maybe a stupid question, but how do you check for spark? I
> wonder (and kind of hope because they are easy to replace) if it is the
> spark plug wires.
>
> Thanks for any additional help.
>

 

Hi

If the starter runs, but much quicker (you say it 'whirrs'?) than normal it
could be that the starter is bad; normally the gears are supposed to engage
to the mating end on the engine and it could be that the starter is just
spinning without actually turning the engine over. In this case you will not
see a spark, so I'd make sure of that first.

If your starter is good and you do need to test for spark, you may want to
get a simple widget (<$6, I think it was) they sell at autozone/pepboys: it
has a sparkplug looking connector on one end, a 'roach clip' on the other
and an adjustable airgap in the middle. It will let you test for spark
without having someone else start the engine. Hook it instead of one
sparkplug and start the engine -- if you have a spark, you will see it.

If your starter is good and you don't see a spark, make sure your rotor (the
thing under the cap) is indeed turning - if it isn't, you probably have a
broken timing belt.
Of course, check the cap, rotor, wires, plugs, etc.
If none of that is the problem, check to make sure you are getting power to
your distributor.

(The following I actually learned on this newsgroup and it works well. I had
been using a scope before, but the following is way easier)
The ignitor you can check by putting a 12V lightbulb across the primary of
your coil. If you see the bulb flash when you are starting, your ignitor is
good -- if it doesn't, disconnect your coil and try again: a coil could fail
shorted and will cause it not to flash.
If it still doesn't flash, your ignitor is probably bad. If it does flash,
I'd check the coil.

Hope this helps you fix the problem.
Remco




<donotemailme@ekkinc.com> wrote in message
news:1100550588.918586.254710@c13g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> EKK wrote:
> > "'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
> news:<404563FF.8CCBECB0@interbaun.com>...
> > > EKK wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have a 99 Honda Civic with just under 90K miles on it that
> won't
> > > > start. This first happened on Sunday morning - it started fine
> but
> > > > when it reached idling speed, it quickly died. Ran for 1-2
> seconds at
> > > > the most. Now it doesn't start at all, and when I turn the key
> it
> > > > sounds like the starter is fine, maybe running a little faster /
> > > > louder than before.
> > >
> > > =================
> > >
> > > Remove the distributor cap, spin engine and see if rotor turns in
> > > distributor. If not, timing belt is broken.
> > >
> > > 'Curly'
> > >
> > > ===============
> > > --
> >
> > Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. It needs a new distributor
> > rotor (and a tune up in general...)
>
> Back in March I posted to this group about my 99 civic not starting. I
> replaced the distributor cap and rotor back in march, and it has
> started everytime since, until today. Today, it seems like a very
> similar problem, although the rotor and distributor cap are fine. When
> I turn the key, the starter whirs, and I hear a few clicks. I think
> the fuel pump is fine (I need to make sure tonight, but I seem to
> remember hearing it click on this morning). I do hear a few clicks
> while the starter is running, coming from the engine.
>
> A few mentioned the main relay, which if the fuel pump is coming on
> then it isn't that, and a few others mentioned ignition switch or the
> ignitor. How can you determine that?
>
> Also, maybe a stupid question, but how do you check for spark? I
> wonder (and kind of hope because they are easy to replace) if it is the
> spark plug wires.
>
> Thanks for any additional help.
>