2009 Honda Civic Intermittent Hard Starting Problem

[DangerMoose]

Never had this problem on my '07 Si (FA5) or '09 Si (FA5).

[zroger73]

My '09 EX Sedan randomly doesn't like to start on the first try. I've had it about 2 or 3 months and it's done it about 4 or 5 times already. A friend's '05 Civic did the same thing a few times in its 4 year life and my '06 Accord did it a time or two as well. I don't recall ever experiencing the issue with my '07 Ridgeline and I've NEVER had any other vehicle (and I've owned a lot) do this. It usually happens when the temperature drops overnight and on the first cold-start of the morning. The rest of the time its fine.

[erwinmst]

2009 civic ex automatic. I have had this happen twice so far. I have had it happen once overnight and once after just a couple of hours after driving.

Originally Posted by bluewaterlee

Join this PETITION if you get this problem, it'll make a difference for all of us civic owners!!

Please leave the model, year, Auto/Manual info.

most time I have the rough start problem when it sits overnight, have to start it twice or even third times. almost got it every week on everage.
- not caused by cold weather, I left the car outdoor overnight, the temp. down to -20C, still started well next morning.
- not fuel pressure (the first thing dealer would tell you to stay key at II position to prime fuel pressure, it doesn't work)
- not battery or charging system problem after dealer tested.

a lots of rumors about it:

- Immobilizers
- emissions
- fuel inject system, fuel pump or pump relay (Accord ever recalled before)
- air intake valve control
- ...

if you know anything more, please post here!!

[chadk]

I two have been experiencing these long crank start ups. Mine happens usually after I drive my car to work then go out for lunch or head home after the day is over. Its around 30 degrees outside. Not to cold. I have not tried any of the techniques listed here yet but I will watch for this now. I do have a remote car starter installed by Honda. I dont know if that has anything to do with it. Im using the key when I notice these long starts. 22K miles on 2008 Civic, automatic.

2009 Honda Civic Intermittent Hard Starting Problem

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join this PETITION if you get this problem, it'll make a difference for all of us civic owners!!

Please leave the model, year, Auto/Manual info.

most time I have the rough start problem when it sits overnight, have to start it twice or even third times. almost got it every week on everage.
- not caused by cold weather, I left the car outdoor overnight, the temp. down to -20C, still started well next morning.
- not fuel pressure (the first thing dealer would tell you to stay key at II position to prime fuel pressure, it doesn't work)
- not battery or charging system problem after dealer tested.

a lots of rumors about it:

- Immobilizers
- emissions
- fuel inject system, fuel pump or pump relay (Accord ever recalled before)
- air intake valve control
- ...

if you know anything more, please post here!!

[wxjeremy]

Count me in with having "long/multiple crank" starts. 2010 EX Sedan Auto. My instances are almost exactly like chadk's. Completely random times I will have to long crank or crank a second time to get it to start. I've tried the II ignition position idea and it makes no difference. My '07 EX coupe never had that problem. I bought the sedan new in January and its happened at least 5 or 6 times. If it keeps up I'm taking it to the dealer. But again its hard to replicate since it happens completely randomly. Although I don't think its ever happened first thing in the morning its usually when I leave from say the grocery store or go out to lunch at work; when the car has sat for a few hours.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join this PETITION if you get this problem, it'll make a difference for all of us civic owners!!

Please leave the model, year, Auto/Manual info.

most time I have the rough start problem when it sits overnight, have to start it twice or even third times. almost got it every week on everage.
- not caused by cold weather, I left the car outdoor overnight, the temp. down to -20C, still started well next morning.
- not fuel pressure (the first thing dealer would tell you to stay key at II position to prime fuel pressure, it doesn't work)
- not battery or charging system problem after dealer tested.

a lots of rumors about it:

- Immobilizers
- emissions
- fuel inject system, fuel pump or pump relay (Accord ever recalled before)
- air intake valve control
- ...

if you know anything more, please post here!!

[cdnrebel]

My 2009 civic will click when the key is turn to start and the car will not start until I do it again. I have 31000 kms, it has happened 10 times since new. The dealer says it is the way I am starting it ???
Any comments or suggestions?

[Ripper_Civic]

This is so wierd.... I just sold my daughter's Nissan Sentra because it had a long start problem (upwards of 5 seconds cranking before it fires or may not start until after 2 or 3 trys). None of the dealers I took it to could diagnose it. I was tired of dealing with it. I just bought her a new 2010 Civic LX. The other day I went to start it and boom, the same problem. Less than 400 miles on the clock. I found this site and was shocked to read about this problem with Honda's. It's off to the dealer in the morning. Here we go again!

[iVtecYo]

09 Manual DX-G, had the car for 10 months just started this problem two days ago when i parked at school for couple hours then when start it struggles and turns off. the second time when start it struggles but stays on.

[michinsi]

Si Sedan, 2007, Manual.
Few times throughout the week the car will not start...won't even crank.

[thowes24]

My 2010 EX coupe has this problem. As others have stated, it occurs completely randomly. The car was purchased on 01.26.2010, and it has failed to start about 4 or 5 times. It's also had an issue where I would start the car, and the engine would make a grinding noise. This issue has happened two or three times. (And no, I'm not holding the key in the starting position for too long)

[Brandie99&09]

My new 2009 Ex Sedan (auto) does the same thing with the overnight start. The dealership tested it with a computer and said it was fine. I'm still not buying that though. I even have trouble when I'm driving and I have to slow down if someone is turning off, for example. The car stalls a little, just enough to scare me and then gets going again. It's the worst at this when I pull onto the road from a stop. I also have a 1999 civic coupe that I've had since it was new. I know that I had to have the fuel pump replaced in it while it was still under warranty because of stalling/missing. I'm hoping this is not the same problem again 10 years later!

[majicman2005]

I have had the same issue with longer cranking times. Usually it works the second to third try maybe about 5 sec of cranking. Happens whether its warm or cold at random times.

2009 LX auto

[CraigW]

Looks like I may be joining in on this club with my 2010 LX 4dr with less than 500 miles, no issues until this morning then just as described here...wow.

My last car was a 05 LX & I have gotten into the habit of waiting at position II with key until the fuel pumps stops before cranking engine, it has been a foolproof method of starting for me for quite a while now & I'm truely sold on this procedure for getting a start on the first crank every time.

I'm quite certain that I had waited for the fuel pump this morning, But must say it took a pretty good amount of effort to get it started up 3-5 separate attempts(I know not to touch the acc pedal and you should not have to either) The pressure should have been up and it still would not start.

My first thoughts are fuel pump, certainly not battery related


Edit: 2-3-12 My car only ever had this problem on this one event...since then it has started perfectly each attempt.

[BLuRRnAWAY]

once a week, Turn the car over and nothing. Batter brand new alternator brand new..

2008 Civic SI
22,000 Miles
Manuel

[andrewoah]

I too am having the issue with starting. Bought my car just about a month ago from a local dealer, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I only noticed a problem the past two weeks. Most times it starts up immediately but other times it may take 6-7 times of cranking it to finally start. Temperature not the problem had issue when it was cold and when it was mild; from 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) to -11 Celcius (12 Fahrenheit).
I took my car in to the dealer to have it looked at today; They said it's a known issue on some of the 09's and 10's that Honda is currently trying to resolve. They have a checklist they went through with me for this exact issue. I said "so it's been goin' on for over a year now?" and they said "no, it's only been months". Well I don't believe him as I can't believe any of them at that dealership since they deceived me on the day of purchase. If it's on some of the 09's as well, then it's got to be at least a year now.
Very annoyed at this issue! I went from a car, a Saturn SC2, that had intermittent stalling issues, now fixed. To a brand new 2010 with starting issues. Sometimes you just can't win.

[_flipxcyd]

Interesting...it's happened to me 3x already. It just happened this evening after leaving Best Buy and having dinner. I can safely say my car was sitting out there for about an hour. I bought my 10 EX-L on 3/11/10. I now have about 1300 miles on it. Guess I'll be calling my dealer tomorrow morning.

[CraigW]

Mine has only done it once so far...But I will be sure they document it on paper.

Anyone else having a crappy idle ?? My idle speed is fine (i'm used to low idle when temps are warmer) but it is just not smooth at all, you can feel slight bumping at idle & hear it as well. It will do it when at temp or from a cold start & seems consistent. Certainly going to document that as well.

[batman900]

Mine does this to. 2010 EX-L 800 miles. It does it atleast twice a week even when its warm outside.

Does anyone have a remote start and can say if it fires right up with it? Ill get one if it will fix this problem.

Its embarising for someone to get into your brand new cars nice leather seats only to ask why it wont start..........

[andrewoah]

I have a Honda remote starter. Honda installed it right before I noticed the starting issue, as well as the Honda security system. I had the car for 3 weeks to a month before they installed it. I have not noticed any issue with starting with the remote starter, only with key in ignition. The Honda dealer says it's just coincidence that it happened around the same time it was installed.
I do agree it's embarrassing to buy a brand new car and not have it start right up!

[dany08fa]

im having a hard time starting my car if i let it sit overnight.
sounds like its the same problem your guys have been having.

i think it might be a fuel pressure loss.