'85 Civic woes

here is a strange question:
because of the big freeze, my '85 Civic would not start... today I
finally got it going, and it ran for maybe three-four minutes, then
started to die. I got in and gave gas and it came back for a minute,
then bogged out. Now it won't start, and I don't seem to have a
spark.
SoI looked under the hood, and while poking around came across three
open-wire fuses in a box on the left strut tower - "DRL fuses" maybe?
(whaterer that is) - and the top one has been replaced with a PIECE OF
WIRE!
Am I screwed? is that a fuse for a $600 "computer"?
Thanks in advance... guess I'd better start looking for a tow - Ъ×

 

Dax,

DRL fuses are for Daytime Running Lights, which aren't (weren't
mandatory in 1985, in USA or Canada) I expect your car would run the
same with nothing in those fuse holders. Somebody may have used that
circuit for fog lamps or the BIG STEREO, but I doubt they are original
equipment. Your Owner's amnual explains what should be in there for YOUR
model.

Your car may have died due to gas line icing. Once it's happened, it's
hard to cure without putting the vehicle into a heated place for about
10 hours. (or 3 hours if you blow a fan under it) You also have to cure
the cause, which would be water in you gas tank and lines. I use
ethanol-enhanced gas every now and then, but you could just add some gas
line antifreeze that they sell at the gas station. Try priming the
engine with some raw gas or starting fluid (ether) and see if it tries
to run.

Another point, try this first: If you're handy, take off the distributor
cap to see if the rotor is turning when you give the engine a short spin
with the starter. If not, your timing belt is broken. You didn't mention
when you last changed it, but it has to be done occasionally.

Let us know what progress you make... And tell us more of the vehicle's
history if you don't get it figured out.

'Curly'

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To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
you should not play any notes you have left over. -

 

NO-body put their headlights on in the daytime in 1985. That is a new fad.
If this guy has DRLs, they were added by a previous owner.

I'd also suggest this: Pull one of the plug wires off the plug, hold the
metal end withng a half-inch of a metal part of the engine, and have
somebody crank the starter. There should be a very noticeable spark. If
not, the problem is ignition related. If so, it's likely fuel related.

 

Thank you both for your prompt replies... I went out in the evening
and it STARTED! and RAN! - I suspect the ice-in-the-fuel was the
cause, followed maybe by flooding. Anyway, it seems better now. I
always keep the tank topped up, but I guess that wasn't enough, so it
got a dollop of methyl hydrate which may have helped.
The previous owner had a thumping great stereo which he took with
him - so maybe the fuse was for that.
Again, THANKS! I thought this was maybe going to be expensive - Ъ×