94 Honda Civic doesn't start after oil change

Discussion in 'Civic' started by cvk69, Jul 30, 2006.

  1. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    I did the oil change myself and took the car for a ride around the
    block and then parked it. I tried to start it after a couple of days.
    It just cranks over.

    1. There is spark on all four the distributor terminals
    2. The main relay terminals when opened look OK
    3. I can't smell gas in the exhaust so I took out the fuel injectors.
    There is no fuel coming out when car is cranked.
    4. I loosed the bolt on the fuel filter. First time there was some gas
    that leaked out. But I don't see any more gas when I loosen it now
    after cranking.
    5. I can hear the fuel pump for 2 sec when I turn the key before the
    check engine light goes off.

    I feel it is a problem with fuel delivery since I don't see any fuel
    sprayed out of the fuel injectors. But this is the first time I have
    done this so I have no clue as to how much fuel I should see if they
    were working.

    What should I do next? Change the Fuel Filter or Fuel Pump or Try with
    starter fluid?

    Vikram
     
    cvk69, Jul 30, 2006
    #1
  2. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    I took out the fuel filter and put a small can under the fuel line that
    feeds fuel from the pump. The first couple of time I started the car I
    didn't hear the pump kick in and no fuel in can. On the third attempt I
    heard the pump come on faintly. Now the pump, starts immediately and
    the can fills up quickly. So, does this mean fuel filter is the
    problem?
    I have never changed the fuel filter in 210,000 miles!

    Vikram
     
    cvk69, Jul 30, 2006
    #2
  3. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    I put the fuel filter back in. I turned the key and the pump turned on.
    I verified that if I open the service bolt on the fuel filter there is
    pressure in the system but there is still no spray out of the
    injectors. I pressed the tip of the injector with my car key and it
    sprayed the fuel. So, this means there is fuel pressure but injectors
    are not getting activated. What can cause this?
     
    cvk69, Jul 30, 2006
    #3

  4. You're overdue by *at least* 100K...

    JT
     
    Grumpy AuContraire, Jul 30, 2006
    #4
  5. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    But it seems the fuel filter is not the problem. There is pressure in
    the fuel system but none of the fuel injectors are spraying fuel. If I
    manually press the injector pin I can get fuel to spray. I checked the
    resistance across the two of the fuel injectors and it is Zero. Also I
    checked the voltage between yellow black wire at the injector and body
    ground. I get battery voltage there. So I am now wondering why the
    injectors are not working

    Vikram
     
    cvk69, Jul 30, 2006
    #5
  6. \
    -----------------------------------------

    It's your main relay because it was sitting in the hot sun, right?
    SEARCH google for honda main relay.

    Meantime, if it does it again, fill the car with ice cubes OR turn the
    key to position II, and smack the dash on the left side of the steering
    wheel. You'll hear the fuel pump run for three seconds and the car will
    start then start when you crank it.

    Resolder the main relay. Don't unbolt it to take it out, just slip it
    out of its shell.

    'Curly'
     
    'Curly Q. Links', Jul 30, 2006
    #6
  7. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    I have opened the main relay and it looks perfect inside. I will
    resolder it but I think its not where the problem is because there is
    voltage on the Yellow-Black wire of the injecto which is supplied by
    the main relay. I am wondering what is connected to the other wire of
    each of the injectors. That may be the problem.
     
    cvk69, Jul 31, 2006
    #7
  8. cvk69

    TeGGeR® Guest



    The injectors will only pop open if fuel pressure is over 37psi.

    Either
    1) your fuel filter is plugged (unlikely since the problem came on
    suddenly),
    2) the fuel pump is weak,
    3) or it's running intermittently.

    Resolder the Main Relay contacts just to be sure. If that doesn't fix it,
    remove the fuel pump (easy on your car) to see whether the sock filter has
    fallen off. This can cause fuel starvation when the gas tank level is low.

    If the above doesn't work, replace the fuel pump (and the filter while
    you're at it).
     
    TeGGeR®, Jul 31, 2006
    #8
  9. cvk69

    cvk69 Guest

    I re-soldered the Main Relay and put the key in II position a couple of
    times. Both times the pump started right away. I cranked the car a
    couple of times. I still doesn't start.
    If I depress the fuel injector tip I get a very fine spray of fuel. So,
    I think system is under pressure. I don't have fuel pressure gauge. I
    suspect that the injectors are not getting the proper signals to open
    on time. The yellow-black wire has battery voltage on it when key is in
    Position II. Yellow-black wire on each injector comes from the
    Main-Relay.

    Where does the other wire on each injector come from? ECU? I am
    wondering if something may be telling the ECU not to turn on the
    injectors. But then why doesn't my check engine light come on?

    Vikram
     
    cvk69, Jul 31, 2006
    #9
  10. cvk69

    TeGGeR® Guest



    Yes, that is the signal wire. It will have voltage at all times when the
    key is at II. The injectors will activate once the ECU grounds the other
    end of that circuit. This energizes the solenoid coil and opens the
    injector.

    At idle, the injectors are only open for about three milliseconds, so you
    need a good head of steam behind the injector for the right amount of fuel
    to be ejected in that tiny span of time. If the fuel pressure is too low,
    you won't get enough pressure to push much fuel through the nozzle, and you
    may get insufficient fuel to run the engine.

    (Also, I was wrong about them not popping open unless pressure was at
    37psi. For some reason I had mechanical injectors in mind, which our Hondas
    have never had. Had been reading documentation on the Triumph PI system of
    the '70s.)



    Because there's nothing wrong with your injectors or the ECU.

    You have a fuel pump problem, a possible filter problem, or a blockage
    somewhere. You might even have a failed fuel pressure regulator diaphragm.

    You MUST find a way to get the fuel pressure checked.

    One other thing you can do: Remove the low-pressure return hose from the
    regulator, install a temporary hose on the regulator, leading into a
    measured jar. Now crank the motor for 15 seconds and see how much gas gets
    pumped into the jar. I don't know offhand what you ought to find, so just
    measure and report back here for now. I'll look it up later.
     
    TeGGeR®, Jul 31, 2006
    #10
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.