Civic Cold Start issue

[js39]

90 Civic LX Sedan (Manual with 1.5 liter ) have trouble during below freezing (or close to) temp start. It has a brand new battery and Main relay swapped a few years back. Now it only happens in windy cold temp no issues in summer driving. Turn the key in the ignition, fuel pump hum, main relay click and check engine light becomes solid. Jumpstart (also push start) usually doing the job to start the car and sometimes just wait five minutes to retry and it will start. I am not sure if there is a ECU safe mode (to avoid) fuel pump burn out to wait few minutes before retry and it will start. Iso Heet also used to prevent fuel lines freeze.
First I thought installing a better quality battery (500 CCA, Honda recommends 450 CCA) should do the job but still jump start needed in below zero temp.

[FrodoGT]

So your saying that you need to jump the battery to start your car in freezing temps? is it because the starter wont turn? Or because the engine wont fire while its turning over? When you check engine light comes on solid, pull the carpet up in the passenger footwell and read the number of blinks coming off the red led inside the ecu there. They go in a series and have a long pause between. if you have multiple codes there will be a short pause between each one then a long one to restart the series.

[js39]

It usually never made it to turn the starter so the engine won’t fire up. Nothing happens once the check engine light becomes solid. Initially, turn the key in the ignition pump hum, relay click, and check engine becomes solid (if no start but if there is a start, starter turns quickly and engine fire up in a little bit warmer but still cold temperature). It usually starts right away in the garage but not the same for an open parking lot in cold weather.
This car never miss a beat in summer and fall only has winter blues. Excellent gas mileage. I will check the ECU codes.

[FrodoGT]

Just sounds like your start solenoid is frozen. The code is probably code 20, for electrical load.. but thats just a guess.

[js39]

I haven't able to read any codes yet. But how to fix a frozen starter solenoid. Thanks for the update.

[FrodoGT]

bang on it alot..lol. or replace it. When you turn the key and it doesnt turn over, does the starter click first or not?

[js39]

No, There is no clicking when it doesn't turn over, but if it wants to start, it usually starts right away. I will try to tap the starter on a next no start.

Spring, summer, and fall start up has no issues and hot summer start issue due to Main Relay had been fixed long time ago.

[Christ]

don't bang on your starter, there is no such thing as a "dead spot" in starters... just replace the solenoid, or replace the whole thing.

What's probably happening is when you're below freezing, there is enough gap in the solenoid from being worn out that it doesn't conduct enough to turn the starter... replace it.

(Things (metals) shrink when they get cold.)

[FrodoGT]

That too, and I wasnt referring to a dead spot, that is crap. I have had solenoids freeze on me though. I had to knock the bastard loose so it would engage.

[Christ]

yeah, that can happen when they get old, the seals leak (epoxy seal) and get moisture in them... which freezes.

I wasn't saying anything against what you said, was just figuring that since you said something about hitting it, he'd reinforce the typical belief in dead spots lol

[js39]

Civic cold start issue came back and Check Engine light showed 8 flashes for “TDC Position”. After searching about this error, I found out that it does relate to a starter solenoid failure.

[FrodoGT]

No it doesnt... the only thing that relates to a starter solenoid failure is the starter solenoid, and the wiring/ ign switch connected to it. There is no circuit board, or controller for this solenoid..the only thing that gives power to it is the battery, switched by the key.

[skate1968]

js,
I had the exact same problem. As did my car's previous owners.
I took it to the stealership and dropped it off and went home. They started it in the morning. Same cold temperature problem. The got a code.

If memory serves it was the rotor inside the ignitor? Does that make sense?

Anyway, several mechanics misdiagnosed it before the Honda Dealership fixed and i haven't had the problem in about 4 years.

Also Fuel Injector cleaner helped this with this problem until I was able to get it fixed properly.

Good luck.

[FrodoGT]

Unless im wrong hes saying the car wont even turn over..ignitor has nothing to do with that part.

[skate1968]

Frodo,

His symptoms sound identical to mine. But this was many years ago and i certainly could be wrong. You obviously know more about cars than me.

Is there a rotor in a starter? I believe the mechanic told me the rotor inside of the XXXX which required the entire part to be replaced.

Anyway good luck to him, all the same.