Checking For A Lack Of Fuel
If the ignition system, on your 1.5L Honda Civic, is creating and delivering spark to all 4 cylinders, then the next step is to check the fuel pump.
A failed fuel pump or a bad fuel pump relay (located in the Main PGM Relay) that's causing a ‘no fuel’ condition will result in a ‘cranks but does not start condition’.
Checking the fuel pump involves making sure that fuel is reaching the fuel injectors. You can confirm if fuel is missing (or not) by:
- Checking fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test gauge. Fuel pressure should be at leas 35 PSI.
- Spraying starting fluid into the throttle body and then having a helper crank the engine (to see if the engine starts).
The fuel pressure gauge is connected to one of the fuel filter's banjo bolts with a fuel pressure test adapter that must have a 1.0mm thread pitch. This adapter is usually labeled as: 6mm adapter or Honda M8x1.0 banjo bolt (or Import M8x1.0) adapter.
You can find a detailed explanation on how to test the fuel pump here: How To Test The Fuel Pump In 2 Tests (1.5L Honda Civic).
NOTE: The accuracy of the starting fluid test, to check for a lack of fuel, depends on having spark at all four cylinders.
Checking Engine Mechanical Condition
If your diagnostic test have confirmed the presence of spark and a good working fuel pump, then the next step is to check your Civic's engine compression.
Testing the engine's compression is probably one of the most overlooked test when testing a hard to diagnose no start.
If a compression problem is behind your 1.5L Honda engine's problem, the cylinder's value will be at 0 PSI. A 0 PSI compression test result usually indicates:
- Broken timing belt.
- Blown head gasket.
- Blown engine.
A compression value of 120 + is usually considered normal for these older 1.5L Honda engines. You can find the engine compression test explained in detail here: How To Test Engine Compression (Honda 1.5L).
The following tutorials may also be of help:
- How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (1.5L Honda Civic).
- How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1.5L Honda Civic).
More 1.5L Honda Tutorials
I've written quite a few Honda ‘how to’ tutorials that may be of interest to you. You can find here: Honda 1.5L Index Of Articles.
Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test The MAP Sensor (Honda 1.5L).
- How To Test Engine Compression (Honda 1.5L).
- How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic).
- How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
