1994 Honda Civic won't start

It is if you remove the knee bolster.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainrelay.html

 

That's the problem. Not too hard to find but really tough to extract. I'm
going to have to go spend at least $20+ on wrench extensions to get this
thing out...

 

Even with the bolster out, in the 94 civic there are other parts that
prevent me from using my normal wrench. The main relay (I assume this is it,
looks like the pictures on the page above) is to the left of the fusebox,
wedged up against the left above the hood latch in a tight spot.

 

When I saw the words humid and ignition, I asked if he had spark or
even a weak one. Usually my answers go like "does it do this?", "If so,
check this..".

Since he then asked about OEM vs aftermarket parts, it was my (and
probably everyone's) conclusion that he lost spark.

Humidity is actually a fairly common cause of a no-start. He could have
easily have a cracked cap. Replacing this components periodically,
especially if they've never been replaced, is just good maintenance.

To just swap parts is expensive but I don't think that was suggested.

Remco

 

There is a trick to it; Don't try to unbolt the relay. Rather, pull the
guts out of it while the housing is still in place. Then you can
resolder and re-install, or you can put the guts from a new replacement
relay into the old housing.

 

Not a total,crank-to-death no-cylinder-firing no-start,but a
stumbling,erratic misfiring no-start.I didn't get that from his post.

 

Here he gives a slightly better description;"spun good",but no start.
He didn't mention any misfiring like one would get if there were leaking
spark impulses.

"spun good" but not starting is a typical failed MR indicator.

Says who? the OP didn't give any indication of leaking HV like misfiring or
stumbling,only "no start" which doesn't describe anything.

Smoke would indicate that some cylinders were igniting,at least part of the
time,and there would be misfiring and stumbling in trying to start it.

 

Can anyone send me a photo of a relay that's in that location? I'd like to
add it to the relevant FAQ page to complement the pics that are there now.

 

Can anyone send me a photo of a relay that's in that location? I'd like to

Tegger, I emailed you a photo from my 94 civic. Let me know if you need a
re-send.

 

It could be the fuel pump. My '90 Accord did the same exact thing a couple
years ago.

Josh
http://www.pingeek.com pinball stuff

 

The OP hinted that "It's very humid, rainy." The OP crank but won't
start in this condition. A leaking HV from the coil straight to
ground via moisture (and never making it to the plug wires) will crank
but not sputter. And yes, if it's leaking from a spark plug wire or two, it will
stumble/misfire. We shouldn't be too adamant about one scenario.

 

The problem is fixed. After finding the ignition coil was bad, but after
having subjected the rotor and assembly to lots of abuse removing the seized
rotor screw, I decided to replace the entire distributor.

Against some people's advice, I've purchased a $185 non-OEM distributor
(plus new cap and rotor) at the AutoZone down the street. I made this
cost/convenience decision based on my short time horizon for this car and
low mileage. The new distrbutor fixed the problem. If it fails in the future
I will send an update.

Thanks again to everyone for all the feedback.

 

Congratulations! Did the non-OEM distributor include a new coil and new
ignitor?

Thanks for the update, and way to hang in there.

 

Congratulations! Did the non-OEM distributor include a new coil and new

Yes, it included both a coil and ignitor, and has a lifetime guarantee. It
did not include a rotor or cap.

I should also put a good word in for AutoZone. Those guys were a big help
getting the seized rotor screw out.

 

Wow. For $180, even if it dies in say, six months, that's worth it.

I toast AZ.