My 1996 honda civic has 19100 miles on it when i got it had 189000 miles but i dont know what was changed or fixed or done to it prior to me getting it...how do i know what to fix or do to it

SOURCE: How to change upper control arm on 1996 Honda Civic DX ?

UPPER CONTROL ARM:

Do not disassemble the upper arm. If the ball joint or bushings are faulty, or the upper arm is damaged, the entire upper arm must be replaced.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the front wheels. Support the lower control arm assembly with a floor jack.
3. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using a ball joint separator tool.
4. Remove the self-locking nuts from the upper arm anchor bolts. Remove the upper arm from the vehicle.

1. Install the upper control arm assembly into the strut tower.
2. Connect the upper ball joint.
3. Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
4. With all four of the vehicle's wheels on the ground, torque the upper control arm nuts to 47 ft. lbs. (65 Nm). Torque the castle nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm); then, only tighten it enough to install a new cotter pin.
5. Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm).
6. Check and adjust the vehicle's front end alignment.

1. Remove the lower control arm that is in need of new bushings.
   

1. Set up the control arm in a press.
2. Using a impact socket of the correct length and size, press out the old bushing.
3. Install the new bushing by slowly using the press to push it into the control arm.
4. WARNINGExcessive force could cause the bushing to bend or tear so be careful.
5. Once the bushing is properly seated in the control arm, remove the arm from the press and install it on the vehicle.

SOURCE: fuse diagram for 1996 honda civic

try this link... let me know if this is what you needed... http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8770/9600civicfuse98civicexatb2.jpg

SOURCE: 2004 honda civic fuel door release not working. How to fix?

You can either replace the cables for $ 68.00 plus labor (fuel door release cable and trunk release cable are one in the same), or you can purchase a plastic cable assembly from www.fueldoorfix.com for $19.95 CAN (free shipping). Replaced one last week on a 2001 Honda Civic, and it worked like a charm. They have a short video clip showing how simple the fix really is, and it was rather simple.

SOURCE: 1994 Honda Civic LX\overheating within 2 mile drive

Remove and raise upper hose at thermostat end and remove lower rad hose.
Fill rad with a hose and watch for flow from bottom rad hose and/ or bottom rad hose connecton.......water should fall though rad easily.
Honda rads are cheap.....any restriction....replace rad.

Remove thermostat....fill thermostat housing with hose and watch for water flow at bottom rad hose.
Flush good.

Remove heater hoses.......flush back and forth until a good flow is present "With heater control set to hot" if no or poor flow....replace heater core.

Stop leak can plug everything.

Also.......not likely causing over heating....but ....at your mileage,if you do not know if the timing belt has been changed.....CHANGE IT NOW!
Water pump is optional at this mileage.

Testimonial: "thank you for the very clear, step by step instructions for diagnose and remedy"

SOURCE: 1996 honda civic dx is overheating

probbably overheating due to water leak and lack of pressure ? fix the hose leak first these models are bad about radiator neck/tank cracks look at it carefully ? get back to us if it dosnt fix the problem can give you further tips? p.s dont keep running it hot you dont want to have to replace headgasket?