zx92027xz

First post, and, yes, I do know how to use the search option. I looked through it and found a couple situations that didn't quite match up to mine.

Here is a youtube link that lets you hear what goes on:
1996 Civic DX Won't Start

I did quite a bit of work on civic over the past few weeks, but nothing engine related. As the title says, I am getting spark (I visibly checked each one; white spark)

Here is what I have worked on:
Replaced front strut assemblies (both sides; springs, shock absorbers, mounts)
Lower ball joint on one side
Inner and outer tie rods
Passenger side CV drive axle
Oil/Filter change
Spark plug change (I DID start it after the oil/plug change and it ran fine)
Transmission fluid change (to go along with the axle swap)
To do the transmission fluid fill, I followed the directions of B18C5-EH2 on his axle swap tutorial. When I pulled the speed sensor to fill the tran fluid, I did not disconnect the battery.
I then tried to start the car with the speed sensor disconnected; it didn’t start.
I reconnected the speed sensor and the same thing happened; no start, same noises.

The battery was charged when I had to turn the steering wheel for some suspension work, then about 4 hours later it was DEAD. No lights, nothing when I turn the key at all. I found this unusual, but I may have left the key on.

Trickle charged the battery, it has a full charge now. Try to start it and I get the results seen on the video. I will post up a longer video soon, with me actually talking about what I did.

Here is what I have checked:
Spark from plugs is good
Oil level is good
Trans fluid level is good
Speed sensor is intact and connected
Battery is fully charged
All fuses are good
Fuel pump can be heard when key is turned


The car did not sit for too long, and it ran fine before.

Please help. Specific diagnostic instructions will help me a lot. I read that I need to check my ECU, and I don’t know where this is located. Same with map sensor.

hard_boiled_EG

i bet your spark plug wires are not in the right order....

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...Honda_Civic_DX

and your map sensor is on top of your throttle body, ecu is on the passenger side right corner behind the carpet

gsrhatch2356

I bet it's a broken timing belt. Just take the valve cover off to see if the cam us turning while your trying to start it. Anything other then that then i would say it's time to actually get some test results like fuel pressure instead if just smelling fuel. And Also a compression test would help a bunch as well. If you find your timing belt is good do a compression test and post your numbers.

zx92027xz

Thanks for the input.
I am sure the wires are in order, as they are all different lengths and i didnt replace them... simply unplug, plug back in.

I will go pick up fuel/compression testers in a little bit. I fear the timing belt being broke after reading that tutorial.

Solster

ok it sounds like you have No compression in the vid.

if you timing blet was broken you would have NO spark. the camshaft turns the disty and the belt turns the cam.

also there is no need to pull the valve cover to see if cam is turning just the oil cap should be fine.

B18C5-EH2

Before you freak out over a broken timing belt I want to tell you that your video also sounds like an engine that is flooded out too. the cylinder sound as if they are washed out with fuel, meaning no spark, or weak spark delivery.

Of course pull the oil cap and have someone spin the engine over so you can visibly check to make sure the cam is spinning - this will show you if the t-belt is broken or not.

I do not think the t-belt is broken. You certainly have weak compression, but it doesn't sound like zero compression from a broken t-belt.

A COMPRESSION TEST WILL ALSO SHOW LOW IF THE CYLINDERS ARE WASHED OUT DUE TO BEING FLOODED OUT, THUS IS NOT CONCLUSIVE

You could always try pulling the plugs out, then spin the engine over ans see if fuel mist shoots out of the holes at first, thus indicating flooding. You can also drop a teaspoon of oil into each cylinder with the plugs out, then spin it over to build compression if the cylinders are in fact washed out. The when trying to crank the engine hold the gas pedal to the floor to introduce more air to combat the raw fuel dumping in.

B18C5-EH2

Oh duh!

I also meant to tell you that I think you might have a problem with possible weak spark. Do you by chance have access to another distributor you can borrow to swap and see if the car starts? By mere coincidence your ignitor and/or coil might be dying (they are inside the distributor) and could show spark, but just not have enough of it.

...and just to be safe I'd double check that plug wire order on your cap.

farfrumugen

timing bely snapped. open oil fill cap and see if cam is turning.
adam

zx92027xz

i think i am doing the compression test wrong... i tested each one by pulling plug boot, removing plug, screwing in compression tester.

car was turned over, and it kept spiking up and dropping down.

here's a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYEhQ...layer_embedded

as the info on the video states, i did it with all boots and plugs pulled as well; same result.

zx92027xz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXmh5...layer_embedded

here is a test you can see with all boots and plugs out, and the oil cap is off. you can see the mechanism inside the oil area moving (good timing belt?)
you dont see that the gauge is doing the same spike, then drop motion, but it is.
there is no fuel spray, but air can be felt coming out.

i dont have it on video, but the spark is strong on each plug. white sparks, brand new plugs.

farfrumugen

if belt is moving then good, as far as the cmpression test results go im not sure. another poster mentioned it may not be good if flooded. so id let her be for a day with the plugs out to dry. other than what has already been mentioned i cant think of anything other than a timing issue. check fuel pressure, as well as make sure the map is connected.
adam

Ej6 LsV-T

Is it throwing a CEL?

zx92027xz

i will check the CEL tomorrow. how would i test timing?

Former User

Sounds like a fuel injector problem. Check whether the fuel injectors have battery voltage at each connector and use a node tester to check whether the ECU is providing pulsing ground.

And as mentioned, the timing belt is not broken because you have spark. However, you should test whether the timing belt skipped a tooth or two.

zx92027xz

there is no CEL.

can you briefly explain how to check whether the timing belt skipped a tooth and whether the ECU is providing pulsing ground?

Former User

mark11017

x2 just because you have fuel pressure doesn't mean injectors are firing..

halcyon1138

I have the exact same problem on a 94 Accord, my engine sounds the same with all the same results. Here is a back story. I was driving and it just died on me. I took it home and it had no spark. I replaced the coil and ignitor. I now have spark. No fire.

I took the fuel rail out and i have fuel shooting in the correct order.
I have done a leak down test and the results came back great.
I have also done a compression check wich too checked out.
I do not have any CEL codes, I even tried a new ECU
I have replaced the timing belt and waterpump and the timing marks line up.

The main relay clicks on the left and right side.

Sometimes after taking plugs in and out or the fuel rail in and out i will get a fire but then it dies.

I am about to put a new distributor in, and see if it is a TDC,Cylinder postion sensors, or cam position sensor or something ehse

shat_head

^^^^ holy thread jack Batman ! I think your in the wrong forum for you Accord.

HondaPartsHero

any updates?