Honda Civic (fourth generation)

Fourth generation (EC/ED/EE/EF)
1988 Civic LX sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1988-1991
Assembly	Suzuka, Japan East Liberty, Ohio, USA Alliston, Ontario, Canada Hsinchu, Taiwan South Africa Nelson, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door hatchback 3-door coupe (CRX) 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon (Shuttle)
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Related	Acura Integra Honda CR-X Honda Ballade Honda Concerto Honda Integra Rover 200 (R8) Rover 400 (R8)
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L D13B I4 1.4 L D14A I4 1.5 L D15B1 I4 1.5 L D15B2 I4 1.6 L D16A6 I4 1.6 L ZC I4 1.6 L B16A I4 1.6 L D16A9 I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2,499 mm)
Length	156.1 in (3,965 mm) (hatchback) 166.5 in (4,229 mm) (sedan) 161.7 in (4,107 mm) (wagon)
Width	65.6 in (1,666 mm) (hatchback) 65.9 in (1,674 mm) (sedan) 66.1 in (1,679 mm)
Height	52.4 in (1,331 mm) (hatchback) 53.5 in (1,359 mm) (sedan) 56.1 in (1,425 mm) (FWD Wagon) 56.9 in (1,445 mm) (4WD Wagon)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Civic (third generation)
Successor	Honda Civic (fifth generation)

Main article: Honda Civic

For 1988, the Honda Civic was significantly redesigned. The suspension had a radical re-configuration with what Honda called "double-wishbone suspension" on all four corners, wheelbase was increased to 98.4 inches (250 cm), and the body was redesigned with a lower hood line and more glass, giving less drag. Rear suspension however is more accurately described as multi-link trailing arm suspension since the upper control arm only has a single anchor and there is toe control used on the main trailing arm.

Japan

Honda Civic Shuttle Beagle

Honda Civic 25XT badge

The base model of the 4th generation Civic had a 1.2 L SOHC, this single carbureted engine was not available for the European and American market. (23L and 23U for the Japanese market) 1.3 L SOHC single carbureted engine.

The 1.5 L SOHC engine came in a wide variety of models, dual-point injection, single carbureted and dual carbureted. Those engines were available in the Japanese-market 25X and 25XT,

Top model of the hatchback was the Japanese SiR EF9 with the 160 hp (120 kW) (B16A DOHC VTEC 1.6L 160 hp 7600rpm) The Japanese version of the Si featured a (ZC) D16a8/9 1.6 L 16V DOHC engine.

The wagon, known in Japan as the Civic Shuttle (also known by many as the "Wagovan") continued as a commercial delivery van called the Honda Partner starting with model year 1996.

North America

All United States vehicles were fuel injected.

In 1990 the Civic had a light facelift. Some things that changed were the front bumper design, the front corner lights no longer had the two screws on the outside, the gauge cluster cover shape slightly changed, tail light units design changed, side moldings became thinner, and some American Civics received automatic seat belts (the sedan and wagon received automatic shoulder belts only, while the hatchback received automatic shoulder and lap belts).

Models Available

STD

1989 Civic STD 3-door

The base model with the lowest price and lowest standard (vinyl seats) interior, instrumentation, engine output and transmission. It was only available as a Hatchback. Engine was D15B1 16V SOHC, with dual port throttle body injection, 70 hp (52.2 kW) with restrictor on the tandem valve, and catalytic converter integrated into the exhaust manifold. Manual transmissions were 4-speed with cable operated clutch (5-speed in Canada). Automatic 4-speed transmission was also available.

DX

1990 Civic DX 4-door; including automatic seat belts

Available as Hatchback, Sedan and Wagon, this had cloth seats, power steering, rear wash/wiper, optional clock, passenger door mirror and wheel covers. Engines were D15B2 16V SOHC with slightly higher output 92 hp (68.6 kW) due to an improved profile on the inlet side of the Single Overhead Cam and unrestricted tandem valve. Manual transmissions came as 5-speed with cable operated clutch. Automatic transmission was available as an option.

LX

Available only as a Sedan, this had a higher level interior with tachometer instrumentation, electric windows, electric door locks, electric door mirrors, cruise control, clock and wheel covers as standard. Engines were D15B2 16V SOHC, same as the DX, with 5-speed cable clutch transmission. 4- speed automatic transmission was optional.

EX

Available only as a Sedan for 1990 and 1991 model years, this was the top of the Civic line with the LX features, plus moon roof, optional alloy wheels and a D16A6 16V SOHC engine with 4-point injection. It also had upgraded brakes on the front with 10.3" disks vs. the 9.5" on the STD, DX, LX and SI models. The 1991 had a higher geared steering rack - 3.1 turns lock to lock vs 4 for other and prior models.

SI

This was the "sporty" model, only available in Hatchback. A moon roof was standard, there was no power steering, no automatic transmission available (except in Canada), and it had slightly deeper bucket seats than other models. 14" steel wheels with covers were standard and the engine was the D16A6 16V SOHC with 4-point injection and output of 106 hp (79 kW).

Wagon

This was available as FWD, RT/4WD and 4WD. The RT/4WD and 4WD versions featured the port fuel injected D16A6 engine paired with either a 6-speed manual (with a super-low gear left of first), 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The FWD versions featured the throttle body injected D15B2 engine paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive wagons had standard steel wheels (white steel wheels with matching center caps were optional).

USDM Weights

	Standard Hatch		DX Hatch		Si Hatch	DX Sedan		LX Sedan		EX Sedan
	Auto	Manual	Auto	Manual	Manual	Auto	Manual	Auto	Manual	Auto	Manual
1988	?	1933	?	1933	-	?	2039	?	2138	-	-
1989	n/a	2013	2138	2088	2161	2209	2147	2249	2211	n/a	n/a
1990-1991	?	2127	?	2165	2291	2252	2262	?	2322	?	2374

All weights listed in this table are in lbs. Air Conditioning added 49 lb (22 kg). Cargo capacity was an additional 100 lb (45 kg) hatchback, 75 lb (34 kg) sedan.

Europe

For Europe the base model was the 1.3 Luxe with engine was the 1.4 L which was not available in the USA and Japan.. Next was a 1.4 L SOHC I4 dual carbureted engine that was available only in 1988 and 1989; 1.5i GL and GLX models followed in 1990.

The European 1.6i GT and 1.6i-16 (depends on country) had a ZC like 1.6 L DOHC engine and produced 124 hp (D16Z5) or 130 hp (D16A9). In Europe the SiR was called 1.6i-VT and had a similar B16A1 engine. These top models were equipped with the VTEC system.

South Africa

In South Africa, it was sold under the Honda Ballade branding.

Popularity

Despite its sometime image as an economical vehicle, the fourth-generation hatchback has become very popular in near stock SCCA autocross competition. The EF chassis nearly dominates the Street touring category, competing heavily with the MX-5 Mazda Miata. Fourth-generation Civic hatchbacks have also become nothing short of notorious among Honda Civic enthusiasts due to their lightweight design and formidable suspension layout which outperforms later generations.

1990 Autocross Civic Si Hatchback

Known Problems

Electrical

While largely free of serious mechanical problems, there were two significant electrical reliability issues with this model.

Main relay

The Main Relay which controls power to the electric fuel pump (it ensures the pump does not continue to run in the event of accidents) and fuel injectors, develops dry solder joints. This means the fuel pump will not run, and thus the vehicle will not start. The Engine Computer self-diagnostic shows "Code 16 - Injector fault".

Ignition "Igniter" Control Module

Inadequate thermal connection on a convoluted heat sink design means the igniter unit tends to run hot, and over time, its semiconductors will degrade and eventually fail. There has been a manufacturer recall on this issue and a newer design of igniter used by Honda. However, reliability can still be a concern and care should be taken to ensure the heat sink assembly inside the distributor allows for a good thermal connection.

Emissions

Modern gasoline formulations cause fuel o-ring seal degradation problems around the injectors on the throttle body injected systems. As they degrade, the o-rings start to leak, into the inlet manifold and normal fuel injection metering becomes impossible. The engine mixture then becomes increasingly rich until it becomes a Gross Polluter and fails emissions.

External link

• Civic4G.com