99 honda civic cranks won't start
Our 99 Honda Civic 4 door sedan (200,000 miles)
just quit running while pulling out of a parking lot.
Almost as if it had run out of gas (plenty of gas).
There was NO warning of any kind that there was a
problem. It had been running fine as we ran
errands, sat idling for 10 or so mins (not long) at
the store before we got on our way. It just suddenly
putt putted & died, as we were pulling inot the
street from the lot exit. We were at a stop,
accelerated to pull into the street & it just acted
like it had run out of gas & died. All lights working
fine, it cranks well but just won't start - hasn't since
it died. Now (a week later) it still cranks, tries to
start & still wont. Had it towed home &
neighbor/mechanic friend checked: fuel pump,
main relay, fuses, spark plugs (car IS getting
spark), filters, distributor = all check out as fine.
The battery doesn't hold (never did) a charge that
well (we cant leave the dome light on too long) but
its still works fine & has never caused trouble more
than needing a jump once. Our neighbor also
charged it for us.We've had the car for about 14
mos. I know about the ignition switch recall &
wonder if thats the culprit - altho this has never
happened before & will check to see if previous
owners had it replaced. Still cranks just fine just
won't turn over. No lights show a problem on the
dash but they all work fine. So - could it BE the
ignition switch? Could it be the TIMING? The darn
thing wants to start but just won't complete it. It is
HOT here now but I don't know that has anything to
do with it. We are trying to eliminate what it ISN'T
as much as possible (without dropping $$ into the
car AIMLESSLY) because what the actual problem
IS, isn't clear at all! Any help, advise, or ideas would
be appreciated.
