20 replies to this topic

[C.J.]

My 86 Civic Si has recently (as in less than a day ago) become difficult to start. The starter will turn the motor over, it'll catch, then quickly die. Repeat, same thing, repeat again, it sputters and idles extremely low, then dies. Repeat again, starts up fine, idles at 1500 RPM, but when I hit the gas, it sputters and loses RPM's. If I let it warm up a bit, everything is OK, and it runs like a champ, no problems. The check engine light is always on. Is there a way to check what codes it's throwing without buying a scanner? any suggestions are appreciated. It started doing this after I put the new radiator in.

Also, there are two sockets attached to the radiator fan, one is green, one is white (or tan), and there are two plugs that go into them. One of the plugs feeds off of a line that runs directly in front of the radiator, parallel to the bottom, and is held by a couple plastic clips. Which socket does this one go to, green or white? Thanks.

[86hamstersi]

If you look under your passenger seat there will be some lights on if your check engine light is on. You need to see how many are on and in what spots they are on. That is what will actually tell you what that light means. As for the sockets I would have to look that up.

[C.J.]

If you look under your passenger seat there will be some lights on if your check engine light is on. You need to see how many are on and in what spots they are on. That is what will actually tell you what that light means. As for the sockets I would have to look that up.

Thanks, I'll check up on that tomorrow.

[douglastang]

Use some carby cleaner to clean your Idle control valve. and it will be fine.

[C.J.]

Use some carby cleaner to clean your Idle control valve. and it will be fine.

Ok, I'll try that, thanks

[chedda_j]

Ok, I'll try that, thanks

Sounds like the automatic choke isnt working

[C.J.]

I checked the computer, and none of the four little LED bulbs are lit when the PRGM/EFI light is on... Does this mean I need a new computer or something?

[chedda_j]

I checked the computer, and none of the four little LED bulbs are lit when the PRGM/EFI light is on... Does this mean I need a new computer or something?

the manuals at the top of the screen actually have all the codes, if they arent on...i think that means that its non functional or not working at all, no power source. But 4 red lights would mean fault ecu too i think.

[C.J.]

Ok, I remembered that I broke off this rubber line that leads off of the black circley thingie... What is it for, cuz I'm prolly gonna have to get another.

[syko_tek1]

Ok, I remembered that I broke off this rubber line that leads off of the black circley thingie... What is it for, cuz I'm prolly gonna have to get another.

Thats a vacuum advance line for your dizzy.

[C.J.]

Thats a vacuum advance line for your dizzy.

Would this cause the starting problems I mentioned earlier?

dizzy= distributor, right?

[3gencivic]

yes dizzy is distribior and most likely it is a problem iknwo in carbd car tis a pain to start with otut it and if it scold harder.

[syko_tek1]

My crx starts fine with that disconected I just went and checked but if you didnot plug the hose then you will have a vacuum leak and that will cause Idle problems.

[C.J.]

Thanks, do you know what the name of the round thing is so I can get another?

[syko_tek1]

Thanks, do you know what the name of the round thing is so I can get another?

I've always called it the vacuum advance actuator, Don't know the real name (even though I worked at Honda 5 years) you know did not see many cars with vac advance. I don't know if you can get it separate either.