still won't start !!

i was driving my car(88 civic w/ ZC SOHC) one day when I suddenly felt like I lost some power. I figuered it was the distributor cause the rpms was really low and then suddenly died after i came to a stop(I did not stall my car) suddenly died. The next day it started up fine at my house but it was still reving low. After work, I tried starting the car but it wouldn't start.The battery was fine so that's when I thought it must be the distributor. So with a couple of tries and prayers, I got it to start again, still reving really low, almost at 0. So I bought a new distributor and everything seemed fine(rpm was back to normal) but when I turned it off, the car wouldn't start again. New distributor but won't start. So again, with some tries and prayers I got it to start again. Basically, I got a new distributor and this thing only wants to start when it wants to, WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM...can anyone relate?
And when im on the highway, my speedometer reads 120km/h but it feels like im going 100km/h. PLEASE HELP !!!!

[bigben21]

im 95% sure its your main relay when the weather gets hot outside those things start to show there signs of being a ass. ive already replaced two or 3 of them this month at the shop.

Originally Posted by bigben21

im 95% sure its your main relay when the weather gets hot outside those things start to show there signs of being a ass. ive already replaced two or 3 of them this month at the shop.

Could it be possible that it may also have something to do with my ignition or fuel injection ? Cause when I try to start it I just hear sort of click sound. And If it is the main relay, is it expensive to replace, where exactly is the main relay, and how often would I need to replace it ?

Thanks !!

[bigben21]

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/mainrelay.html read up

[TheSilentChamber]

clicking could mean your starter or the starter clutch is going bad.

[leakkm]

does the engine turn over and not start or does it not even turn over. My honda wouldn't start when hot but would turn over. It gave me a code 16 for fuel injectors. I replaced the main relay (or main fuel relay) and it fixed the problem. If you fixed the low idle with a distributer then it may just be a relay or your starting system. But you may have other ignition or fuel issues going on. But first, what is it doing, is it turning over or not?

Originally Posted by leakkm

does the engine turn over and not start or does it not even turn over. My honda wouldn't start when hot but would turn over. It gave me a code 16 for fuel injectors. I replaced the main relay (or main fuel relay) and it fixed the problem. If you fixed the low idle with a distributer then it may just be a relay or your starting system. But you may have other ignition or fuel issues going on. But first, what is it doing, is it turning over or not?

I know this sounds stupid but what does it mean to "Turn Over"? Sorry. I figured a trick to starting my car. Now, I have to put it in ACII first than start it from there as oppose to turning the key as soon as it's the ignition. It's weird !! Maybe it is the main relay cause it has been hot the past couple of days but does that have anything to do with the feeling of lost power, and what if it isn't the main relay....what else could it be? .
As far as my distributor, since i've changed it my car is at 900-1000rpms when at idle. Is that normal ? All I know is that at least my car doesn't die/stall while im driving so that means I must have fixed my distributor problem. My only concern now is that I still feel as if im being robbed of power. It wasn't as fast as before I had these problems. It's not my exaust or cat converter for sure cause I don't hear any noises or anything. It's not my air filter cause my CAI is in place. And definately not my engine cause it's like 2months old and I don't beat or anything. Could it be my spark plugs? Or maybe I have just gotten use to the new engien since I went from a 1.5 to a ZC. This shit is really hard to tell but you guys are the experts and that's why im asking the questions. Please feel free to continue to help me out . Thanks !!!

[crxsirpr]

ok, replace ur spark plugs, buy a can of trottle body and intake cleaner, use it! and chek ur timing, maybe advance the dizzy a little bit and try running the car then, keep trying. if all else fails get it to a mecanic and explain the situation and tell him all the things u did with the car (spark plugs clean intake ignition) etc..

[bigben21]

k i finally got a chance to read this thread in depth. it sounds like you got a fuel problem. its hard to say because i can actually see the car but i would try the cheap and easy way is to replace your fuel filter. if that dont help then replace the main relay. and if that dont help look into a new fuel pump.

[civickiller]

start by eliminating stuff, like change the spark plug and wires, then test for spark and make sure you get a strong spark. so you eliminate that, then do a compression test, if your compresion is good in all cylinders then tahts not yoru problem, so it narrowed it down to fuel problem. get it ?

[leakkm]

What I meant with turn over, is does the starter system engage and the engine rotate trying to start. If the engine is not rotating (turning over then you have a starting problem). When you first turn the key to on do you hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds and then a click as a light goes out on your instrument panel. This is the fuel pump pressurizing the system. The main relay provides power to the fuel system, such as the pump and the injectors and seems to be a high fail item in older civics. However you can isolate it down by checking for fuel pressure and or checking your timing. The main relay cost me around $63 but it was a quick and easy change. Are you getting any codes when the engine won't start? Anytime if any that you get a check engine light you should have some fail codes that could point you in a direction.

[KaMaKaZiPyRo]

This was three months ago but i got the same exact problem, im gunna change my fuel filter and my ECU cuz my ECU is from an HF crx with a ZC DOHC engine, so if anyone thinks theres anything else that hasnt been said already then plz help.