This is a slightly urgent plea for long distance psychic mechanic
skills.

I have an 88 Honda CRX DX. The dual-port injected one.

Today she stalled twice, and has refused to start since.

I am supposed to leave for a job in Texas tomorrow...hence the
urgency.

Here is what I know.

Turning over fine. Battery is great. No error lights on ECU.
Full tank of gas. Ran fuel injector cleaner last tank.
Gas is getting to Throttle Body, though pressure is unknown.
The fuel pump is making the right "Whirring" sound
Plugs look good, and have spark.
Injectors test good for correct resistance.
Smell unburnt gas in tailpipe.
All fuses seem good.
It doesn't fire at ALL.
It had stalled a few times. in the past few weeks. but started right
away.
Emissions tested excellent today. Got it inspected just before it
died.
Had the oil changed today.
Air filter is good.
Fuel filter is good, new today after problem
Tried new plugs as well.

I know that I am SOOL probably until Wednesday, until places are open
again. But I had to ask. My hawk is waiting quietly on her
trailer!

Reply directly, or not if it's interesting!

Merry New Year!

--
Best regards,
Brandt brandtbelknap@mindspring.com

 

Help! 88 CRX DX Dead in the Water!

First, get it out of the water! (joke)

I think the problem might be the Main relay.
If you are sure you are getting spark, and the motor cranks, but it doesn't start
then the Main Relay is a very probable cause. They are known to go bad.
The relay is on the left side of the car right below the coin box and just above the hood release lever.
It's hard to get to, but if you use a flash light you will see it.
Before trying to remove it, use a screw driver and tap on the relay a few times.
see if that will unstick it.

Good luck

 

If it is the main relay....it would kill the fuel pump.

Are you sure that it is firing?

Sounds like maybe the ignitor or coil have pooped on you.

 

there is a pgm-fi main relay that could be the cause of this. i have a 90 dx and when the car warmed up, i couldn't start it. it would do everything you said it would, but wouldn't catch and start. my prelude also did the same thing. i replaced the relay in both cars and have not had a problem since. in my 90 dx, the fuel injection main relay was under the dash bolted to the side of the car. it is not the same relay as mentioned above. replace that and try to start it again. if that doesn't work, then you will most likely have to have a mechanic troubleshoot.

 

Replace your Spark Plug Wires. They do a lot more than you think.

Mine did a similar thing, I replaced the Plugs, it was better but still not as good, then I replaced the Wires, it was all good times after that.

 

i second the thought on the igniter or the coil.

 

Ignitor.

 

I had this EXACT problem with my 89 hb si. It would run for a decent period of time until it was warm then POOF dead. After about 15 minutes to 15 hours it would start again.. I took it into the dealership after being unable to diagnose the problem myself. The dealer told me that this is a common problem on these distributors and there was a recall for my dis. Honda replaced my entire dis. assembly coil and all for free because of the recall and I never had another problem (until I blew the engine )

That's my 2 cents. Check the dist. and when all else fails spend 60$ for a dealship diagnosis.

 

it can be a # of things,i promise its not the main relay,because of the 2 previous stallings. here is a secret to test the main relay. as you turn your key to the # 2 position,put your hand on the left side of the dash and listen and feel for a click. it will be faint, if there is a click your relay is working. also,if you have spark as you said then it isnt an igniter or coil either.

 

no it still could be a coil even with spark. if the current from the coil is not great enogh it will not light the fuel air mixture. what color was the spark. if its a redish orange its the coil.

 

BLOWN HEADGASKET??HOPE NOT! NOT THE WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR!