The Neighborhood Mechanic: Honda's problem easily diagnosed
We often say in this column that modern cars are computers on wheels. Most of the functions in the vehicle are now controlled by some form of electronic gismo or another. Unlike your friendly desktop we don't throw the hardware out after a few years. Cars have to operate in all kinds of weather for years, sometimes decades. This brings up a really important issue. How reliable are these components after 200,000 kms or 14 years on life's highway and secondly who will be able to service this stuff as it ages out? Most manufacturers will supply parts and support for their products for up to 10 years after the original delivery. Well, we're servicing vehicles that are well over 15 years old right now. Extensive use of computer systems have made these vehicles last. In fact we scrap more vehicles due to body failures than mechanical ones. The point here is to build a good relationship with your tech. He should age at the same rate your car does.
I have a 1993 1.5L Honda Civic DX Coupe with five-speed. The car won't start on a hot day. It will start when the day is a little cooler. With the advice from the Honda dealer, I replaced the coil and the igniter about two years ago for the same reason. But even then, after driving for a while and stopping, the car wouldn't start and I had to wait for a minute or two before cranking again. Then it would start. But now, after about five minutes of driving and stopping the car wouldn't start. Sometimes, I would have to wait about 20 minutes. What do you think is the problem?
Modern cars are complicated. Computers increase complexity yet oddly enough also increase the reliability, so I doubt your problem is with the computer. I would look for a failure in the PGMFI relay. Experience with this type of vehicle leads us to relay failures for hard start problems. This relay is located on the left side of the dash just above the driver's leg. The point here is to have the vehicle diagnosed by a competent tech before throwing parts at it.
Guess what, he took my advice...
Thank you very much for your reply. You were right on the money with the PGMFI relay. It was the problem. I went to the internet and found out how to test it and I performed the tests and it wasn't working well. So I replaced it and the car started without a hassle (even during last weekend when the weather was so hot). I'm glad I found you. You saved me a lot of money and hassle. Once again, thank you.
I have a 1993 1.5L Honda Civic DX Coupe with five-speed. The car won't start on a hot day. It will start when the day is a little cooler. With the advice from the Honda dealer, I replaced the coil and the igniter about two years ago for the same reason. But even then, after driving for a while and stopping, the car wouldn't start and I had to wait for a minute or two before cranking again. Then it would start. But now, after about five minutes of driving and stopping the car wouldn't start. Sometimes, I would have to wait about 20 minutes. What do you think is the problem?
Modern cars are complicated. Computers increase complexity yet oddly enough also increase the reliability, so I doubt your problem is with the computer. I would look for a failure in the PGMFI relay. Experience with this type of vehicle leads us to relay failures for hard start problems. This relay is located on the left side of the dash just above the driver's leg. The point here is to have the vehicle diagnosed by a competent tech before throwing parts at it.
Guess what, he took my advice...
Thank you very much for your reply. You were right on the money with the PGMFI relay. It was the problem. I went to the internet and found out how to test it and I performed the tests and it wasn't working well. So I replaced it and the car started without a hassle (even during last weekend when the weather was so hot). I'm glad I found you. You saved me a lot of money and hassle. Once again, thank you.
