Starting Issue /Ignition issue/ - Merged threads

[coolricky]

I tried the suggestion of putting the key in the ON position for a second or two before starting. It has helped and the car has started almost immediately. However, it happened twice since I've started trying this method (it's been a bit less than two weeks) that it didn't work, and it would crank a few times before I let go of the key (maybe in 3 seconds) and would have to try to start the car a second time (which was successful almost immediately).

This doesn't seem normal. Has anyone experienced this problem?

[ange61]

I have a brand-spanking new 2007 DX-G with manual transmission. I have only had it for 3 weeks but noticed that the first start-up of the day was a little shaky. I first attributed this to the cold weather outside, but then noticed that no matter what the temperature was like outside, it still did the same thing. I'm just not impressed with this. The best way I can explain it is that when you put the key in the engine and turn it, the engine will crank and then almost stall before it starts-up full force. I know this isn't a big issue, and otherwise my car performs perfectly, but it was enough for me to bring it into the dealership today. I'm sorry, but my '98 tercel started up better than my brand new car! I'd also like to mention that I always use gasoline with the detergent agent already in it and I always wait 10 seconds with the key on 'start' before cranking the engine. Surprise surprise the dealership called today saying they couldn't reproduce the problem. I told them to keep it overnight and try again tomorrow morning. Something tells me they won't find a problem. Anyone else having this problem???

[coolricky]

I contacted my local Honda dealer about this issue and they replied the following:
"Let me reassure that this isnt a problem with you vehicle. I asked our Technical Advisors about the problem you've submitted to me and they assure me its normal. The car can take up to 8 cranks before starting up, it all depends on at which point the engine stopped during its cycle. Honda Canada as not issued any recalls toward this issue on the vehicle. I hope this answers your questions and I thank you for taking the time to write us."

I contacted another dealer and they said: "Your starting problem is known by Honda Canada. We already spoke with techline from Honda about this situation. There is nothing we can do at this time for this issue. When Honda find a solution for this you should receive by mail a letter that will tell you what to do to get this fixed."

So it seems to me Honda knows this problem and is not doing anything about it. Seems to me since it's not a safety issue and could be a problem with the their design, they may not have a recall or a fix for this issue since the car eventually will start.

[south_ottawa80]

I'm so glad I found this forum, I've been having this issue with my 07 LX and I was starting to wonder if I was the only one. I will try the approach of leaving the key in the on position for a while before finally starting.

I have tried something that seems to help the problem. The last two times I've cranked the car and it didn't start right away I then proceeded to hit the gas and give it a little juice. The second my foot touched the gas peddle, boom it started, albeit with a bit of a groan. I know the conventional wisdom is you're not supposed to hit the gas with auto transmission, however it seems to have helped with this issue.

Cheers,

Dean

[yippieguy]

this has happened to me 4 times. All 4 times I can recall driving it only for a few seconds _previous_ to this happening., like. moving it around the driveway or something.

[Civic Pride]

Am just glad is not only my car doing this, By the way it seems like most of the cars having this problem are manual? i have one and is an LX..

[unplugged]

I turn the key, wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to kick in, then crank - have no problems. I know its not outside temperature related and seems to happen more during warm weather than cold. Its also not engine temp related because I do cold starts and warm starts, same issue. It seems to be engine/fuel related.

[yacoub]

I had an Acura a couple years ago which required turning key to On, letting fuel pump pressurize, and then starting it... in order for it to start smoothly and quickly every time.

This issue with the Civic seems to happen (but I need to confirm this) regardless of letting the fuel pump pressurize, which is a bit worrisome.

Mine does it on occasion and it seems wholly unrelated to fuel level, fuel grade, or outside temp. It does seem to only happen when the car has sat for a long while (thus generally it occurs in the morning at first start up) though again it only happens on occasion.

I am going to be certain to always start it by letting the pump pressurize first, just to confirm that that doesn't resolve the issue, before I consider bringing it in for service dept to look at it.

[Mateen]

It just happened to me for the first time (ex coupe 7800 miles). But I also did something this time that I have not done before. I parked my car, then came back in 3 minutes to move it to different parking spot. When I came back in 5 hours, thats when it did it.

[DJJeffMills]

Thanks for all the info/input from everybody.

It happened to me about a half hour ago (leaving work). It was about 15°C out, level ground, little more than half a tank of gas, etc. etc.

2007 Civic EX (4-door), 5spd

Sometimes I let the little 'whirr' of the fuel pump go for a few sec, sometimes I don't. The little hicup I experienced with starting it up happened on a quick start (i.e. I didn't wait for the fuel pump to stop 'whirring' <-- or whatever it's called hehe).

It has about 1,600 km on it, got it April 10/07.

Hopefully it won't happen again.

Anyhoo...just checking in.

[si_civic]

My Si does this in the morning.

[bangmonsta]

Originally Posted by si_civic

My Si does this in the morning.

Have u tried this?

Starting Issue /Ignition issue/ - Merged threads Car takes a few seconds of cranking before starting, let the key set in the "on" position for a second or two helps.

[Andrei'sCivic]

Everyone Listen! Try this!!

I had starting problems with my new 07 Civic LX... also when i listened to the radio for 15 mins. with the engine off i was unable to start it afterwards.
The dealer could not find a problem the first two visits...Until.... one of the older technicians heard me say "some sort of low-jack system"
The problem the older 8th gen Civics have the immobilizer systems which draw too much power, leaving the battery in a weakened state at all times.
I had the comapany put in the newer "low jack" system I believe its called Karr. they said this was kinda common of a problem. It seems they switched after November of 2007; over to the newer alarm system which atomatically puts itself too sleep after 3 minutes, to avoid weakening the battery like the previous system.

ask the dealer if it could be your alarm, that is drawing too much power. (even when the alarm is off, it draws power.)
No more starting issues for me. And trust me when I had those problems my friends were laughing at me... So i went to the dealer, and I was annoyed that my friend's old Civic could start and my new one could not. Anyway, if you have a factory alarm system ask the dealer about it.

[StickForLife]

I have had this same problem, but very infrequently. The first time it happened was in early December, it was about 35 degrees, and the starter took five seconds or so to start. Figured it was just the weather. However, today its closer to 40 and it happened again, only this time it cranked for about 10 seconds. When it did finally start it was very weak, and felt like it was going to immediately die, but after a moment it went on at a normal idle (bout 500-1000 rpm.) I'm pretty sure that I plugged the key in and immediately turned it (usually like to get the engine and thus heater running in winter.) I'm going to try and have more patience when starting my car =) I haven't experienced any jerkiness while driving, always get gas from the same place. Ultimately, I'm just trying to make sure that this is a minor personality quirk of my car and not the symptom of some impending issue. So I should also check the sparkplugs, is it possible for them to go so quickly? Is there anything else I should be checking as well?

[yacoub]

Originally Posted by yacoub

I had an Acura a couple years ago which required turning key to On, letting fuel pump pressurize, and then starting it... in order for it to start smoothly and quickly every time.

This issue with the Civic seems to happen (but I need to confirm this) regardless of letting the fuel pump pressurize, which is a bit worrisome.

Mine does it on occasion and it seems wholly unrelated to fuel level, fuel grade, or outside temp. It does seem to only happen when the car has sat for a long while (thus generally it occurs in the morning at first start up) though again it only happens on occasion.

I am going to be certain to always start it by letting the pump pressurize first, just to confirm that that doesn't resolve the issue, before I consider bringing it in for service dept to look at it.

Well here I am a year later and I can confirm it is UNrelated to whether or not you let the fuel pump pressurize first, as I consistently do that but it still has problems. As another user above noted, when it's struggling to 'catch' while cranking, if you hit the gas, that seems to get it to fire up and get running, but only if it has started to catch already, otherwise the gas pedal does nothing, as one would expect in a modern non-carburated car.

[erikjh06redsi]

not for nothing but i have had a 97 dx, and a 99 si and they both did this, not my 06 si though(yet)

[yacoub]

Had the dealer check it out. No codes being thrown, no issues they could identify with whatever all they tested, including the immobilizer system. They replaced my battery under warranty since it tested low on the cold crank scale.
So the battery replaced yesterday. Today the car has already had starting issue once again, lol.
Guess it's not related to the old battery being a bit weak.

Now my 2006 Civic sedan EX does have the older Mitsuba fuel pump relay (I popped the cover off the driver's side dash panel to see if I had the Denso or Mitsuba after reading the thread where some folks were reporting the Mitsuba in our early 06 cars is the same part that was recalled in the 05 Accords and Odysseys, and the 06 Ridgelines). I am tempted to replace it with the Denso part just to see if that solves the issue.

[bballstuffer]

I am having a very similar problem. I owned my 2006 LX since Nov 2005, starting in Feb 2006, I start to notice that the engine will dies right after I started it. Over time, I noticed that this will happen only in the following situation:

1. First time starting the car in a day
2. Cool temperature (8-15 degrees Celcius)
3. Moist and humid (spring time and after rain)

If all the above are met, my car will most probably dies right after it kicks itself up. It doesn't matter if I leave the key in the ON position for 10 sec before I crank the engine. I have spoke to Honda technicians, and they said they can't test any fault in any of the parts...............damn

[TheGreatOzmodiar]

Originally Posted by bballstuffer

I am having a very similar problem. I owned my 2006 LX since Nov 2005, starting in Feb 2006, I start to notice that the engine will dies right after I started it. Over time, I noticed that this will happen only in the following situation:

1. First time starting the car in a day
2. Cool temperature (8-15 degrees Celcius)
3. Moist and humid (spring time and after rain)

If all the above are met, my car will most probably dies right after it kicks itself up. It doesn't matter if I leave the key in the ON position for 10 sec before I crank the engine. I have spoke to Honda technicians, and they said they can't test any fault in any of the parts...............damn

I am having a similar issue. It cranks and starts to run then stumbles off almost immediately. I have noticed at least some (if not all of the times) this happens, the key has popped out of the ON position. So, it may be a problem with the ignition switch. It may be something to watch for the next time it happens to you. I am going to ask about it when I take it in for the 15k service this week.

[ro.sniper]

grr mine just did it in the morning it was 3 degrees outside full gas tank, i forgot if i left the fuel pump to pressurize or not.. will find out more later... hopefully it starts when i get back from work.. i had this problem intermittently hasn't happened since winter about 3 months ago... i think it might be a pressure or immobilizer issue.