klassesports

Guys, I need help, My car won't start:

I was driving and suddenly the engine dies. I try to start the car agian, it won't start. I checked the battery connection and found out that it was loose. My first thought is that the battery is out of power since the conection is loose. So I bring the battery to my local shop and have them check and re-charge the battery. After its done, I put it back and try to start the car again. THE CAR WON"T START. It cranks ok but it just won't start.

On the speedometer, I found out that the "battery light" and the Oil Light" didn't turn on , everything else is on the right side is on (pgm fi - check engine and seatbelt)

At this point, I don't know what could be wrong. I do a search in the forum and found out that most people have problem with either the coil or the distributor.

How do you do a diagnostic to find out whether I have a bad coil or distributor?
How do you reset the ECU? BTW I check all the fuse under the dash and the one under the hood.

Could a loosen connection to the battery cause the ECU to burn?

I forget to mention that this has happend before, a couple times actually however at that time the car is not moving. I just started the car to heat it up and when it suddenly dies, I started it again and it worked.

This time I am driving the car and when it dies, it won't start.

Any help is appriciated. I am frustrated right now.

Thank You, Have a nice day.

allmotaeg6

what kind of car????

klassesports

its a 92 civic CX

Zanpakuro

Try your alterntor and starter. Check all the nuts. Might be loose.
First post and you are asking this?

allmotaeg6

yea check that out first as stated above and then check your distributor

klassesports

Sorry,

It is my first post, I just get the car last week and never drive it until today.

If anyone live close by and want to help me check it out, I will be more than willing to pay you some compesation. Normal shop charge around $80 to check it. I am willing to pay half to anyone who might have a spare time and help me find out the problem.

allmotaeg6

im in milpitas email me your contact info and ill take a look at it heres my email speedxm0nkey@yahoo.com

Zanpakuro

This cant be real!!!!!!!!!

photec2

it could be your fuel pump guy

klassesports

Thanks for the info guys,
how do you check the starter and alternator as well as the fuel pump.

What cause the oil light and the battery light to be off when I try to start the car.

klassesports

bump need helppp

Chiovnidca

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by klassesports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What cause the oil light and the battery light to be off when I try to start the car.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Do they go out when it's cranking?

Chiovnidca

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by klassesports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I was driving and suddenly the engine dies. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Does it have spark?

.::Lee::.

What you need is some basic troubleshooting. If you had that shop charge your battery and the engine is cranking, that rules out your alternator. A car will run without an alternator with only the battery.....but only for a short time.
Now, to test your distributor pull one of sparkplug boots out and remove the sparkplug. Put the boot on the sparkplug as if it were screwed in. Now have someone crank over the engine while you watch for a spark. You can also try putting spark plug close to a ground point while you do this, because a spark will jump. If there's a spark, you will need to start troubleshooting the fuel system. No spark-the most likely culprit is the distributor. Change your cap and rotor. If that doesn't do anything......start calling junkyards!!! Honda does not sell the complete distributor assembly, rather they sell it in parts, and all of them together are close to $600 and the ignition module is like $225 alone.
Sorry to be so longwinded, but I think it's better than just telling you to check your dizzy.

Zanpakuro

Check all the wires. My alternator nut came loose. My tach was bouncing all over the place. I dont have a nut on my starter. I think it fell off one day while I was driving. Just reach down there and see if you can move the wires by hand.

spnfed

You should be able to hear the fuelpump trun, when you turn the key to the on position.

Zanpakuro

Could it be the timing belt? Driving and the car dies and wont start.
How many miles on your car?

Chiovnidca

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Zanpakuro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Could it be the timing belt? Driving and the car dies and wont start.
How many miles on your car? </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a good possibility. If he comes back saying it doesn't have spark, we can ask if the rotor is turning.

Zanpakuro

Not trying to be stupid, still learning. So if the rotor turns then the belt is good?
So you can take the cap off and try to start your car and if it dosent spin then its your belt?

Chiovnidca

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Zanpakuro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So you can take the cap off and try to start your car and if it dosent spin then its your belt?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, or a broken cam.

klassesports

Thank You for all the reply guys, Its really helpfull. I try to do some stuff that you guys mention above.

I will update it again tommorow if the car still unable to start.