1994 Honda Civic CX

Reader Question: Hello,

I have a 1994 Honda Civic CX that I purchased about 3 months ago. Recently, I have been having a problem starting the car. This only seems to happen when there is moisture in the air or a dramatic temperature change (example: -5 Celsius – +7 Celsius).

The car turns over and starts for a split second than dies. The only way I can start it is if I apply the gas pedal and hold it for about 5-10 min until I can let go and it will return to an idle, not stalling.

When I rev the engine while holding the gas, at about 1,500 RPM, the engine seems to knock and the car shakes back and fourth. After the car can idle on its own, I can shut off the car and restart it with no problem (or check engine lights).

Please enlighten me with any clues to what is going on under the hood and/or how I can fix it.

Thank you for your time.

Hey there,

I think I would start with the basic tune up items first. Distributor cap, ignition rotor, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. Moisture can sometimes get inside a distributor cap and cause all kinds of problems.

The noise and the shaking could be due to an engine miss like from a bad spark plug wire or moisture inside the distributor cap.

I would also look and listen for a vacuum leak under the hood (with the engine running) like from a broken rubber hose or the air inlet hose from the air cleaner to the engine. That air inlet hose can crack underneath and allow air to enter the engine thus causing a vacuum leak.

Blessings,
Austin Davis