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HATCHET_HONDA · 08-14-2008, 12:16 PM

this is really annoying... sometimes the starter doesnt work on my 90 si. itll start fine 2 or 3 times then when i come back to the car and turn the key, nothing. if i leave the key on and bridge the starter terminals the starter works just fine. now i can hear the relay clicking and my ignition switch has just been replaced so i know its not those 2. funny thing that ive noticed is that if i turn the car off while depressing the clutch pedal the starter definatly doesnt work afterwards..need some help!! hope its not that clutch switch..that things a bitch to get to!!

K2e2vin · 08-14-2008, 12:46 PM

EF's don't have a clutch switch. Maybe it's a bad starter relay(I'm not sure if there's even one)? Also, could be a bad solenoid too.

HATCHET_HONDA · 08-14-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2e2vin

EF's don't have a clutch switch. Maybe it's a bad starter relay(I'm not sure if there's even one)? Also, could be a bad solenoid too.

yea they do...neutral safety switch..the car isnt gonna start unless you press in the clutch...and cant be the solenoid cause it turns over fine everytime i bridge the starter terminals

K2e2vin · 08-14-2008, 01:52 PM

Have you looked at the pedal? There's only a switch for the brake. I know the 92 and up Civics have the clutch switch though.

Reason I say it might be the solenoid is maybe because it needs much more current than the switch is providing.

HATCHET_HONDA · 09-05-2008, 03:26 PM

starter's ok... i have to bridge the solenoid to the positive on the battery for it to start and the relay clicks when the clutch pedal is pressed

EF9_Hatch · 09-05-2008, 03:39 PM

EF's do not have a clutch switch man. I could start my old one with out even having the clutch pressed.

Justin91civic · 09-05-2008, 03:51 PM

I had to bypass the clutch switch on my ef. When I looked up at the clutch pedal with my dash off there was the switch bypassed it and now it is fine.

HATCHET_HONDA · 09-06-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin91civic

I had to bypass the clutch switch on my ef. When I looked up at the clutch pedal with my dash off there was the switch bypassed it and now it is fine.

NOW it starts without pressing the clutch in..AFTER you bypassed the switch. my 1990 honda civic si hatchback is not going to start unless i press in the clutch. what is this nonsense about there being no switch on the pedal?! lol... seriously. sometimes itll start and others it wont..fucking annoying!

sooo how exactly did you bypass this switch eh?

Justin91civic · 09-08-2008, 08:48 AM

Take the connector out from the switch cut the connector off and then put a butt connector to connect the two wires togehter. Solder should be used but the space is really cramped and solder would not be fun.

K2e2vin · 09-08-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HATCHET_HONDA

NOW it starts without pressing the clutch in..AFTER you bypassed the switch. my 1990 honda civic si hatchback is not going to start unless i press in the clutch. what is this nonsense about there being no switch on the pedal?! lol... seriously. sometimes itll start and others it wont..fucking annoying!

sooo how exactly did you bypass this switch eh?

Must be a difference between the trims

I know for a fact that none of my 88 CRX DX's had a clutch switch(I've pulled the pedal assemblies out and have sold them), and that my 88 Std doesn't have one either(dash is off right now).

George777 · 09-08-2008, 02:50 PM

Why not just wire in a push button start. I have found that often the wires get old and can't carry the proper current all the time.

A push button start would cost you all of $10 in parts, if that. It started my buddies VW and another buddies Civic every time after that.

HATCHET_HONDA · 09-09-2008, 03:55 AM

i had this same problem on a 91 dx i had..and i ended up wiring a switch to the starter and it was ghetto as hell.. i really dont wanna do that to this si hatch. so i guess my plan will be to take a trip to the junkyard and swipe another clutch switch....i fucking hate electrical troubleshooting!

Justin91civic · 09-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Yeah electric t.s. is a pain and I did not have the time or money to deal with getting the switch. I was also getting tired of push starting my car so one day out in the driveway I went and cut and spliced and no issues out of it since then. Good luck on the switch though it is a pita to get to.

HATCHET_HONDA · 09-13-2008, 04:20 AM

its been getting colder lately. around 55 degrees and since its been cooler ive had no starter problems for the past 3 days. what could this be a sign of? maybe that relay is bad after all..hmmm.. ive heard of them getting hot and not functioning correctly

Justin91civic · 09-15-2008, 08:22 AM

That is more than likely the culprit. As it gets hot the solder joints expand and cause all kinds of issues. But if the relay was bad you will still be able to crank over your car but not start it because the relay controls the fuel pump and ecu. But the starter does not go thru the relay.

mickfree · 11-18-2008, 03:44 PM

ok I have a 90 civic and there is some kinda of relay on the driver side at the kick panel. I'm having this same issue with a brand new battery. I manually push the clutch switch button. Then keep turn the key and kept hearing the clicks from this relay and finally it turned over. I been look for the switch online and yet to find it.

HATCHET_HONDA · 11-19-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickfree

ok i have a 90 civic and there is some kinda of relay on the driver side at the kick panel. I'm having this same issue with a brand new battery. I manually push the clutch switch button. Then keep turn the key and kept hearing the clicks from this relay and finally it turned over. I been look for the switch online and yet to find it.

ive tried alot of things but have yet to replace the starter. It does the no start thing every other day it seems...whenever the hell it wants too really..i hate it. I did wire up a damn button for now cause its snowin here and i really dont wanna get out and pop the hood.

HATCHET_HONDA · 11-24-2008, 04:03 AM

i just dont get why it doesnt start if i turn the headlights on before turning the key. turn key then lites and starter works..wtf

INJEN78 · 11-24-2008, 10:36 AM

the starter is in the process of dying,my boys car does it,if it wont start hit it with a pipe or a hammer a couple times and it will start

SpacePirate · 11-26-2008, 12:48 PM

The starter is not dying. I've a similar problem. If I jumper the hot from the battery to the solenoid... vrooom.

My '91 DX Hatch doesn't require the clutch to be depressed to start. Have to check and see if a jumper has replaced the neutral safety switch and is getting loose. I don't relish climbing under the dash to find it.

Mine does it when really cold; under 32F.

Is there a relay between the ignition and the solenoid? My Haynes manual is WORTHLESS for most of the stuff on this car and the wiring schematic showing the start circuit is missing.

HATCHET, have you had any luck isolating the problem?

HATCHET_HONDA · 11-26-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpacePirate

The starter is not dying. I've a similar problem. If I jumper the hot from the battery to the solenoid... vrooom.

My '91 DX Hatch doesn't require the clutch to be depressed to start. Have to check and see if a jumper has replaced the neutral safety switch and is getting loose. I don't relish climbing under the dash to find it.

Mine does it when really cold; under 32F.

Is there a relay between the ignition and the solenoid? My Haynes manual is WORTHLESS for most of the stuff on this car and the wiring schematic showing the start circuit is missing.

HATCHET, have you had any luck isolating the problem?

nope....it starts whenever the fuck it wants to. when it doesnt i just jump the starter positive wire on the battery. i have unhooked my clutch switch connector and jumped it with a paperclip. i still have no idea why it doesnt kick in if i turn my lites on before i turn the key...wtf?

Justin91civic · 12-02-2008, 12:22 PM

The electrical gremlins are back and they are causing havoc inside of your dash. You probably got a crossed or shorted wire somewhere.

08-14-2008, 12:16 PM	#1
HATCHET_HONDA scottie fizzle Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: hobart, indiana Age: 27 Posts: 549 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 90 civic si hatch, 91civic dx hatch Rep Power: 12	90 si starter problems this is really annoying... sometimes the starter doesnt work on my 90 si. itll start fine 2 or 3 times then when i come back to the car and turn the key, nothing. if i leave the key on and bridge the starter terminals the starter works just fine. now i can hear the relay clicking and my ignition switch has just been replaced so i know its not those 2. funny thing that ive noticed is that if i turn the car off while depressing the clutch pedal the starter definatly doesnt work afterwards..need some help!! hope its not that clutch switch..that things a bitch to get to!! __________________ admit it..your a ricer.... 90 si hatch d15b swap(done) 91 dx hatch b16 swap (in progress) b16a block 95 gsr p&p head skunk 2 valvetrain stage 1 cams type r bottom end tri y header stage 3 act clutch ftw

08-14-2008, 12:46 PM	#2
K2e2vin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 21 Posts: 5,252 iTrader: 2 / 100% Ride: 88 Honda Civic HB Rep Power: 89	EF's don't have a clutch switch. Maybe it's a bad starter relay(I'm not sure if there's even one)? Also, could be a bad solenoid too. __________________ 1988 Honda Civic STD-more mods than I want to list Terrorists have successfully attacked our imagination. RIP Jon Eban Nie, August 31, 1991 - May 7, 2006 Y-Daniel Siu Eban, September 7, 1986 - May 7, 2006

08-14-2008, 01:52 PM	#4
K2e2vin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 21 Posts: 5,252 iTrader: 2 / 100% Ride: 88 Honda Civic HB Rep Power: 89	Have you looked at the pedal? There's only a switch for the brake. I know the 92 and up Civics have the clutch switch though. Reason I say it might be the solenoid is maybe because it needs much more current than the switch is providing. __________________ 1988 Honda Civic STD-more mods than I want to list Terrorists have successfully attacked our imagination. RIP Jon Eban Nie, August 31, 1991 - May 7, 2006 Y-Daniel Siu Eban, September 7, 1986 - May 7, 2006

09-05-2008, 03:26 PM	#5
HATCHET_HONDA scottie fizzle Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: hobart, indiana Age: 27 Posts: 549 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 90 civic si hatch, 91civic dx hatch Rep Power: 12	starter's ok... i have to bridge the solenoid to the positive on the battery for it to start and the relay clicks when the clutch pedal is pressed __________________ admit it..your a ricer.... 90 si hatch d15b swap(done) 91 dx hatch b16 swap (in progress) b16a block 95 gsr p&p head skunk 2 valvetrain stage 1 cams type r bottom end tri y header stage 3 act clutch ftw

09-05-2008, 03:39 PM	#6
EF9_Hatch Yeah Join Date: May 2007 Location: Coraopolis, PA Age: 21 Posts: 746 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 33	EF's do not have a clutch switch man. I could start my old one with out even having the clutch pressed. __________________ "It takes a strong person to open themselves to criticism, and a weak person to sit behind a computer screen and criticize." I got so many women comin after me i put some pussy on layaway. XBL Gamertag= W0BBnIT <---- 0 is a Zero


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09-05-2008, 03:51 PM	#7
Justin91civic Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 civic DX Rep Power: 3	I had to bypass the clutch switch on my ef. When I looked up at the clutch pedal with my dash off there was the switch bypassed it and now it is fine.

09-08-2008, 08:48 AM	#9
Justin91civic Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 civic DX Rep Power: 3	Take the connector out from the switch cut the connector off and then put a butt connector to connect the two wires togehter. Solder should be used but the space is really cramped and solder would not be fun.

09-09-2008, 03:55 AM	#12
HATCHET_HONDA scottie fizzle Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: hobart, indiana Age: 27 Posts: 549 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 90 civic si hatch, 91civic dx hatch Rep Power: 12	i had this same problem on a 91 dx i had..and i ended up wiring a switch to the starter and it was ghetto as hell.. i really dont wanna do that to this si hatch. so i guess my plan will be to take a trip to the junkyard and swipe another clutch switch....i fucking hate electrical troubleshooting! __________________ admit it..your a ricer.... 90 si hatch d15b swap(done) 91 dx hatch b16 swap (in progress) b16a block 95 gsr p&p head skunk 2 valvetrain stage 1 cams type r bottom end tri y header stage 3 act clutch ftw

09-09-2008, 08:46 AM	#13
Justin91civic Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 civic DX Rep Power: 3	Yeah electric t.s. is a pain and I did not have the time or money to deal with getting the switch. I was also getting tired of push starting my car so one day out in the driveway I went and cut and spliced and no issues out of it since then. Good luck on the switch though it is a pita to get to.

09-13-2008, 04:20 AM	#14
HATCHET_HONDA scottie fizzle Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: hobart, indiana Age: 27 Posts: 549 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 90 civic si hatch, 91civic dx hatch Rep Power: 12	its been getting colder lately. around 55 degrees and since its been cooler ive had no starter problems for the past 3 days. what could this be a sign of? maybe that relay is bad after all..hmmm.. ive heard of them getting hot and not functioning correctly __________________ admit it..your a ricer.... 90 si hatch d15b swap(done) 91 dx hatch b16 swap (in progress) b16a block 95 gsr p&p head skunk 2 valvetrain stage 1 cams type r bottom end tri y header stage 3 act clutch ftw

09-15-2008, 08:22 AM	#15
Justin91civic Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 civic DX Rep Power: 3	That is more than likely the culprit. As it gets hot the solder joints expand and cause all kinds of issues. But if the relay was bad you will still be able to crank over your car but not start it because the relay controls the fuel pump and ecu. But the starter does not go thru the relay.

11-18-2008, 03:44 PM	#16
mickfree Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Age: 41 Posts: 3 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 0	ok I have a 90 civic and there is some kinda of relay on the driver side at the kick panel. I'm having this same issue with a brand new battery. I manually push the clutch switch button. Then keep turn the key and kept hearing the clicks from this relay and finally it turned over. I been look for the switch online and yet to find it.

11-24-2008, 04:03 AM	#18
HATCHET_HONDA scottie fizzle Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: hobart, indiana Age: 27 Posts: 549 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 90 civic si hatch, 91civic dx hatch Rep Power: 12	i just dont get why it doesnt start if i turn the headlights on before turning the key. turn key then lites and starter works..wtf __________________ admit it..your a ricer.... 90 si hatch d15b swap(done) 91 dx hatch b16 swap (in progress) b16a block 95 gsr p&p head skunk 2 valvetrain stage 1 cams type r bottom end tri y header stage 3 act clutch ftw

11-24-2008, 10:36 AM	#19
INJEN78 ¿UnKnOwN? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT(860) VT(802) Age: 20 Posts: 4,691 iTrader: 3 / 100% Ride: 91 CRX si Rep Power: 98	the starter is in the process of dying,my boys car does it,if it wont start hit it with a pipe or a hammer a couple times and it will start __________________ http://hondaswap.com/auto-multi-medi...st1144603.html <my CRX R.I.P BEN LEE2/24/08 we love and miss you R.I.P Rex 8/18/08 coolest dog ever!!! GOOD FAST CHEAP, you can pick only two. fast and cheap isn't good good and cheap isn't fast good and fast isn't cheap

Yesterday, 10:59 AM	#23

11-26-2008, 12:48 PM	#20
SpacePirate Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Denver, CO Age: 42 Posts: 4 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 1991 Civic DX Hatch (my DD) & 2002 Z06 Rep Power: 0	The starter is not dying. I've a similar problem. If I jumper the hot from the battery to the solenoid... vrooom. My '91 DX Hatch doesn't require the clutch to be depressed to start. Have to check and see if a jumper has replaced the neutral safety switch and is getting loose. I don't relish climbing under the dash to find it. Mine does it when really cold; under 32F. Is there a relay between the ignition and the solenoid? My Haynes manual is WORTHLESS for most of the stuff on this car and the wiring schematic showing the start circuit is missing. HATCHET, have you had any luck isolating the problem?

12-02-2008, 12:22 PM	#22
Justin91civic Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 / 0% Ride: 91 civic DX Rep Power: 3	The electrical gremlins are back and they are causing havoc inside of your dash. You probably got a crossed or shorted wire somewhere.

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90 si starter problems