# Hard to start only when low on gas **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 7, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544 "2009-06-07T18:09:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/1 "2009-06-07T18:09:56Z")
Hi, what would cause a 2000 Honda Civic to hesitate starting only when low on gas? I googled but found pother types of problems, nothing showing that a car runs and starts normal with lots of gas but before the low gas light even comes on, it has problems starting ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/2 "2009-06-07T18:42:35Z")
And, you are absolutely positive that your gas gauge is absolutely correct? The short answer: I don’t know. The long answer: I can find out; or, at least, fix it…which isn’t necessarily the same thing. To possibly fix it, change the fuel filter and check the fuel pressure; Correct fuel pressure as needed. If further problem, further checking, and testing, of the engine management system is needed. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/3 "2009-06-07T19:24:43Z")
My 1999 Civic EX has the same problem. If I turn the key On and Off a few times before turning it all the way to Start, it helps. Each time the key is turned to On, the fuel pump runs for a few seconds. So I think the problem is that fuel pressure and or fuel volume at the fuel injectors somehow decreases when the car sits with a low volume of fuel in the tank. Maybe a check valve somewhere is not sealing as well as it should. Someone on this forum or another once referred to a pulsator valve that is part of the fuel pump system - maybe that’s the culprit. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/4 "2009-06-07T21:25:10Z")
Have a fuel pressure and volume test done. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/5 "2009-06-07T21:32:26Z")
What Joe said, make sure tank is low and car hard to start before test… ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/6 "2009-06-08T00:41:02Z")
Yes, the other day i waited until it was low and intentionally waited until low gas light came on to see if it was somehow off but it did eventually come on & allowed me to drive for many miles. Much appreciated feedback, i see many other great ideas here that will be implemented. ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/7 "2009-06-08T00:42:01Z")
Thanks, will definetly try that next time to see. ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/8 "2009-06-08T00:42:49Z")
Will do, calling Monday to schedule, thanks much. ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/9 "2009-06-08T00:43:16Z")
Great, much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/10 "2009-06-08T01:00:03Z")
Will also post an update as to what occurs post repair… ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/11 "2009-06-11T00:49:39Z")
I am curious as to what you find. The “key dance” has always worked for my 1999 Civic EX. The car has never had any other symptom of low fuel pressure or volume, even at wide open throttle climbing hills. I do replace the fuel filter at the recommended times. If it’s a simple repair I might try it. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/12 "2009-06-11T22:23:46Z")
I have the same vehicle as shanonia, in coupe form. I don’t do the “key dance”, I just move it to the start position and let it alone for a few seconds, then start it. Usually happens once it gets about 1/4 tank, and is a good indication for me to get gas. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/13 "2009-06-26T22:45:56Z")
Bump. curiousj, did anything definite come of the efforts to diagnose and cure this hard starting problem? ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/14 "2009-06-27T01:09:53Z")
Atta boy, that’s what we need to see more of. ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/15 "2009-08-19T02:14:07Z")
It only occurs when low on gas and same regardless if i play with key Sorry it has taken a bit to reply, i got the car bak to my little sis & she said when she has the money she will take it in for those tests but for now, she will not let it run low… ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/16 "2009-08-19T02:15:33Z")
I certainly have suggested that to her for now, i helped her out by buying it used since she was struggling. Sorry it has taken a bit to reply, i got the car bak to my little sis & she said when she has the money she will take it in for those tests but for now, she will not let it run low… ---
**Author:** ![JojoToyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@JojoToyo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JojoToyo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/17 "2009-08-19T02:17:22Z")
I was about to leave it at mechanic again when my little sis asked for the car (i was helping her by buying it used) I told her to please report back to me once she is able to take to the mechanic but i dont see her as concerned as i was. I think she might just avoid a low tank… ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-to-start-only-when-low-on-gas/31544/18 "2009-08-19T03:15:35Z")
I notice the same thing with my 1998 Civic. However, after I bought it, I learned to drive a tractor trailer, which you must leave in the “on” position for a few seconds before you start it up. As a result, I have gotten into the same habit with my car. I let it sit in the “on” position for a few seconds before I crank the engine. It doesn’t happen when I use that technique, no matter how low the fuel is.