Brando76

I have some issues with 96 accord 4cyl., will not start when cold outside, when its warm it starts and runs no problem. I pulled a spark plug attached to wire and touched to ground tried to start to look for spark I got 1 spark then nothing more, any ideas?

0go-part

Starting off with your spark issue, have your battery tested.. load tested. Also figure out if you have enough cold cranking amps

Then checked to make sure you are getting fuel. When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced?

TrickshoT_CD5

check either ure igniton coil or distributor

Brando76

Just bought a brand new battery, starts fine when the outside temp warms up

Brando76

I replaced distributor cap and rotor yesterday

brakedrum

Assuming everything else is in tune, you probably have a weak ignition module (ignitor) which is in the distributor itself that the cap attaches to. A failing ignitor can deliver the spark to ignite combustion in moderate weather, but not in bitter cold temps when the module has gotten completely cold. Problems starting after sitting for hours in cold temps is a sure sign. After multiple tries it will start. That's because the ignitor warms a tiny bit on each attempt and finally gets the engine fired up.

A few years ago, I confirmed my ignitor was bad by keeping the bitterest air off of the distributor by simply wrapping a towel around it while it was still warm the night before. I wrapped it around the cap and the distributor itself. Next morning it started right up. Problems starting when the towel was left off the following night. Apparantly it only take a few temperature degrees to make all the difference. I put in a fresh ignitor and had no more trouble. I even started her up one morning when it was 0º outside.