Mk7 Honda Civic Cold Start Issue?
Discussion
All,
I've got a 2000 Civic 1.6 Auto, c.85,000 miles. Very good condition. Bought it as a stop-gap car, but since over the course of about 18 months it's been fine, I've kept it. It's taken us on many long trips without issue.
Recently, particularly after a cold night, it's been difficult to start. This morning for example, it cranked fine, but didn't even try to fire. After about a minute of trying, it stuttered into life, and once running after a few seconds was OK, no misfires or anything like that. It ran at elevated rpm for a while as usual, settled down and drove fine. There was no indication that the battery was weak.
I can also leave it for 8 hours at work in very cold weather, and it starts immediately. It's after soaking for many hours overnight in cold/damp conditions it's worse.
What could it be? I'm thinking damp ignition, but it has coil-in-caps, so no HT leads to short.
Thanks!
I've got a 2000 Civic 1.6 Auto, c.85,000 miles. Very good condition. Bought it as a stop-gap car, but since over the course of about 18 months it's been fine, I've kept it. It's taken us on many long trips without issue.
Recently, particularly after a cold night, it's been difficult to start. This morning for example, it cranked fine, but didn't even try to fire. After about a minute of trying, it stuttered into life, and once running after a few seconds was OK, no misfires or anything like that. It ran at elevated rpm for a while as usual, settled down and drove fine. There was no indication that the battery was weak.
I can also leave it for 8 hours at work in very cold weather, and it starts immediately. It's after soaking for many hours overnight in cold/damp conditions it's worse.
What could it be? I'm thinking damp ignition, but it has coil-in-caps, so no HT leads to short.
Thanks!
Super Sonic said:
The symptoms you describe sound like a weak battery. Hard starting in the cold is a classic symptom.
Fair enough. Next time I'll try it with my boost pack and see what happens.As I mentioned, the engine spun as normal, on and off for about a minute with no discernable drop in performance.
Thanks.
Super Sonic said:
It would be a good way to see if it was indeed the nattery. I guess it wouldn't do any harm to spray the inside of the spark plug covers a quick wd40. When were the spark plugs last changed?
No idea when they were changed last. At least 18 months. I’m kind or reluctant in case I find something I don’t want to know about (eg damaged threads in the head)!E-bmw said:
Next time it comes to starting when you think you may have an issue, first just turn the ignition on & listen around the fuel tank area underneath to hear if you can pick up the fuel pump priming the fuel lines before turning the key enough to start the engine.
Will do. Thanks.Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff