panchlow

I tried to start my car and it died right after.
I hear it cranking, and i also hear fuel going in.
Lights stay on...

Starter going out???

It also sounds like there isn't enough spark going through.
When it does turn on, its sounds like a big spark, and it stays on.

Could it be the timing? I was messing around with the belt when i changed my headgasket.

2redstars

try a different distributor

Si GUY99

how old is the car/motor or miles i should say? I would say fuel filter,distributor as stated above or vaccum

TOO MUCH TORQUE

my car did this when i left it unattended for about 10 days. The battery couldn't keep it running after turning it on. Had it jumped. its good now.

Another time with my older car it did this and all i did was smack around the key ignition and it never did it again.....

panchlow

its 94 civic with 196k miles
fuel filter was change no to long ago.

and yea maybe a vaccum idk..


"SOMETIMES" it makes a screeching sound when i turn the key, but i think thats a whole different thing i think, because it sounds like its coming from the belts.

EJeff8

^Could be a timing issue then. If you hear a problem with the belts, your timing could be bad and not allowing the car to stay on.

panchlow

yea but when it starts and turns off it doesnt make that sound.

it also feels like i have lose some hp.

Word!

EJeff8

^It doesn't need to make that sound all the time. Check your timing to be sure.

panchlow

^ill try that first

also when it turns on and i rev it a little, it starts to hesitate.
i dont hav rpm's but im thinking they would go up and down.. just to give you an idea of what im talking about.

jaystation

Sounds similar to what happened to my ladys 95 teg. Swapped out the distributor and all was well. Then again like you mentioned above since you messed with your belts, guess that could be another point to check.

Former User

Any CEL codes? How old are the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor?

panchlow

if it was the distributor... would it turned off while im driving? its never done that.

Former User

No. Ignition system problems can range from mild to severe.

Em1LuiSiR

i had a problem like this once with a accord. and it wa the ecu.just a thought

panchlow

is there anyway i can do a test? or no?

DanielSLe

When you start it, try holding the gas. If it's doing what i think its doing, you have the same problem as me. I turn on the car and it dies, but with a different ecu it stays on but the idle starts to surge from 1500 to 2000 rpms. With the ecu i have now, I just loosened the throttle body cable and retightened it at a position to where it would constantly give me gas. This isnt the way to fix it, but it can temporarily mask it until it's further looked in to.

Jimster480

Your saying that it makes a loud bang before actually starting? That def doesnt sound very good. Have you pulled out your plugs and checked to see if there is anything on them? When was the last time your timing belt was replaced? Do you have a CEL?

southcalihds

i say distibuter

panchlow

no, not a bang. its like a screeching noise. The timing belt looks good tho'. i got this car like 5 months ago. i did a tune up in the first month, spark plugs, wires, distrubutor cap, and rotor.. their is no cel either..

Jimster480

what kind of screeching? It could be belts?

FranklinWalker

why different distributor ?

panchlow

when i turn the key.. "screechhhh". then when it comes on, it stops.

but i think this is a whole different thing..

Jimster480

so before you start it, it makes that noise?

panchlow

yea, *turnning key... screeech.. car is on*

gay example. lol but it gets the point.

Jimster480

is it before or after you turn the key and the starter kicks in? Becuase it could be the starter. But if its happening before you even kick the starter, then it is probably your fuel pump, since thats the only thing spinning before you try to start the car.