Car: 1998 four door integra LS - headers and a fart muffler that was installed before i bought the car.

History: I bought the car last year in Tx as a flood damaged car, but everything was perfectly fine, minus a few minor things like fuses or tire blow out.

I have searched high and low on the forum, and havent found my exact situation. Okay - so normally my integra will start up just fine, but there are some times when i have to keep holding the key before it will crank at all. Some times its the alarm, so I end up pulling the fuse from the alarm system and the car will start.

Then one morning last week I went out to the car to go to work, and splat - the car wouldnt start at all, even trying these different methods didn't help. I figured it was the starter, so I went to my local autozone and picked one up for 180 with core charge. Changed it out and nothing. When I turn the key, all instrument lights come on, and I hear the fuel pump as well. The engine wont crank and im not sure what in the hell I need to do. I opened the distributor and it looks worn, but a friend says its my ignition switch. I had to special order the ignition switch, and have already paid for it. I just dont want to install it, and that not be the issue! PLEASE someone HELP!!

 

if you do not have 12v at the blk/ylw wire going to the distributor,the ignition switch COULD be one of the culprits..

 

Do You Have A CEL On When It Wont Start?
* It Can Also Be Your Alarm Causing The Problem Wont Let The Car Start, My Car HAd The Same And I Just Ended Up Having Someone Pull Out The Alarm/Wires Out.
It Can Be Your Ignition Switch Too.

 

Yeah, the CEL has been on for a while..but normally it didnt make a difference for it being able to start and run just fine. I pulled the brain on the alarm, and it didnt do anything either. Gonna change the switch today, and update this when I get done.

 

Its not the ignition switch, replaced the two harnesses for the ignition switch - but i didnt hook it up to the steering column. Same symptoms, instrument lights come on, fuel pump kicks on, one click from the engine bay and NOTHING. checked all the wiring. ive never had such a problem with a honda/acura.

 

I suggest you do this

http://youtu.be/cWm8j1SkUD8

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html

 

He bought a new starter, so a bad one won't be the issue.

Check all your grounds, on the thermostat housing first. make sure battery has 12 volts, and all connections are tight and not loose.

 

as mentioned, check all grounds. specifically the chassis to battery ground. it gets corroded living under the battery tray it's whole life.
transmission to chassis ground, chassis to battery ground

 

^^These. Also make sure your positive cable that goes to your new starter is in worthy condition. (the starter contact end)

 

if its a manual check and see if the clutch safety switch is good

 

Check Out Your Ecu?
Maybe the flood damage hit the ecu too soo check that out just saying you can go over and over on the same problem like I did but checking out ur ecu won't hurt....give it a try
I had same problem as you and I took so long to figure out it was the ecu....it didn't look fried or anything but it wasn't working right...but check that out....