Dc4LsTeG

iTrader: (7)

So the cel doesn't stay on?

BSG

Grumblemarc - There isn't a spark. Not even when he pulled out the spark plug cylinder and laid it against a bolt while I cranked it. Spark isn't getting to the coil. That's why he thinks I need a new distributer.

Dc4LsTeG - What do you mean about the cel doesn't stay on?

As for the main relay, would it even try to crank if that had gone out? From what I remember it wouldn't even crank when my relay went bad.

Still can't get over the belief that this is weather related somehow. The car would not start after a hard rain. After a day of drying out it would start again. This happened two times. Then finally after a huge hard rain it never started again. I keep feeling like there's water somewhere.

Lil Gnome

iTrader: (1)

No, I have not heard, or encountered any civics having Main Relay issues. ONLY some accords and acura models.

Did that mechanic and you look over the engine seals he claimed to need replacing?
How's your PCV system?

jbpnoman

Join date of 2007, and you haven't seen the one thread every two weeks that's a main relay problem? :thunk:

OP, have you actually tested the distributor or igniter or ignition coil?

http://easyautodiagnostics.com/honda..._systems_1.php

Lil Gnome

iTrader: (1)

I'm assuming you are replying to me. Seeing as my join date is 2007. I've worked at a Honda dealership as well as building friends, fixing neighbors cars, ect. And NEVER have a encounter a Civic with a Main Relay issue. Only ACCORDS and some ACURAS that share the same main relay as the 93-97 Accord.

Yes, I've tested all of those.

jbpnoman

I'm no dealership wrench monkey, but I've worked on plenty of Hondas, both Civics and Accords, that were owned by myself, my family, and my friends. I'd say 50% of them have, at some point in their life, had main relay issues. YMMV, I guess.

The question about the distributor, igniter, and ignition coil was aimed at the OP, not you.

BSG

Lil gnone - My civic had the main relay go out 2 years ago. It was classic "won't start when its hot." Switched it out and not another problem.

Jbpnoman - Guess you skipped that post. Put in a new ignition coil and no start.

BSG

Talked to the fifth mechanic who says it can't be the distributer. Says the distributor wouldnt keep it from starting. Opinions?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Wahh? The distributor certainly CAN keep the car from starting. What kind of "mechanics" are you going to?
No Start Diagnosis Basics

Lil Gnome

iTrader: (1)

Earlier in the post, he had stated he had replaced his Distrbutor.

BSG

Incorrect. I said I had replaced the distributor CAP.

Grumble- Believe it or not this 5th mechanic came highly recommended.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

If you've tested in this fashion and are getting no spark I would try that new distributor. But make sure you perform all the tests (or retests) in the no start link before dropping that coin.

BSG

Well I've gone down the list: Distributor cap, ECU, Ignition coil, and just today tried a new Main relay.

I guess I'm on to a new distributor.

Former User

Why are you ignoring the possibility of bad plug wires? Open the engine in a dark area at night and mist spray water on the plug wires and distributor. See any arcing sparks?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I would have to go with the above. I would only go with replacing the distributor when you have tested out all other options prior. Plug wires should be tested as well. The above test would take you all of thirty seconds to perform and would tell you if the wires are the culprit or not.

dpetro1

definitely try this. i had the same no start issue only in the rain. moisture in the air will cause a bad wire or cap to arc out and no spark gets to the actual plug. in the dark you will easily be able to see the arcing. then you can replace the bad component.

ill put money on a bad ignition wire (since you already swapped the cap)

BSG

Whadda ya mean ignoring it? I been asking for weeks if anyone knows what would make my car not start in the rain. Just now you pop up?

Well f*ck. Wish I had read this first bc I already had the car towed off to the mechanic who wants to charge me to put in a new distributor. The wires looked fine when I was checking them, no sign of corrosion or anything.

You guys are telling me I had the car towed off to a $500 mechanic only to learn I might have a $35 problem?

dpetro1

Check your tone. Ron originally suggested plug wires on 3/5. So obviously you did ignore it.

Since you didn't want to try the troubleshooting steps we suggested, maybe its best to have your mechanic take care of it.

BSG

I just wish it had been explained that a bad spark plug wire would cause it to not start in the rain. That the moisture in the air causes a bad wire to arc out so no spark gets to the actual plug.

Not one of the 5 mechanics who looked at it suggested bad plug wires.

That was the answer I was looking for all along. Now I get to be screwed by an overpriced mechanic. FML.

BSG

What an ADVENTURE. Harrowing, even.

I show up at the mechanics, spark plug wires in hand. I told them I was going to have the car towed back home if I couldn't get it started myself. They had already pulled out the distributor and refused to put it back on on. The guy said they "didn't have enough time" and I "would have had to call in the morning." I said "It takes like, 6 minutes." I started going through their tool box on the spot, popped back in my own distributor, then started switching out the plugs. I got stuck for second trying to figure out which plug went where but they refused to tell me so I figured it out on my own. I figured I was being pretty ballsy to fix my own car in front of the mechanics. I hopped in the seat and gave it a crank. Nothing. Car still won't start. BUT now I know it's not the plug wires.

So I go inside and ask for my spare key and the guy tried to tell me I owed him money. I said "I have never in my life had a mechanic charge me for an estimate." He tried to say he had run diagnostic tests. I pressed for details "What kind of test did you run on the distributor?" He clammed up and said he would not reveal his mechanic secrets. I told him "I'm sure you're a good mechanic, and I know you've got to keep the lights on and everything, but I can't afford your prices." He backed down and said "Fine I will give you your key."

The car was towed back home. I figure I'll buy a distributor off the internet and pop it in myself. It's like, 3 screws anyway.

BSG

I have another question. If this new distributor doesn't get it, what do you think the chances are that the oil from the leaking o-rings got down into my spark plugs and is keeping them from firing? That's what the one mechanic said. Two other mechanics said that never happens and that oil *can't* get down to the plugs.

Lets say that a spark plug went bad. Would that keep the car from starting?

jbpnoman

It takes 5 minutes to check plugs. Pull them and see if they're black, damaged, or broken.

Yes, oil can get to the plugs. Any mechanic who says it can't is a flaming moron.

dpetro1

this thread started with a no start condition in the rain. is it not starting at all now?

94EG8

@ BSG, don't take this the wrong way, but if I was your mechanic and someone started grabbing my tools and refusing to pay for diagnostic work I had already completed I'd probably have phoned the police.

Taking a distributor off isn't an estimate either, it's called work. Once the wrenches start turning it's not an estimate.

BSG

Well 94, I didn't give him permission to run any diagnostic tests, but I doubt he did anyway.

Jpb, what do I need to use to get the spark plugs out? I saw a video that made it look like it required special tools.

Dpet, it went from not starting in the rain to no start