I have a 96 prelude and it wont start. it sounds like it is trying but it wont. Its a brand new battery there is spark to the spark plugs. Could it be the main relay swich you would it not even try to start if that was bad???? Also we think it might be a kill swich but I dont know how you would bypass it.

 

i dont know why everyone always assumes the more uncommon issues first.

I would start by having the starter checked out. if the solenoid is bad power wont transfer to the drive to engage with the flywheel to kick the car over. loose connections and corrosion can also cause the problem that you are having.

in regards to a killswitch, if its starter based, you wont hear any clicking at all....and the car wont even be able to attempt to start...you will have power and what not but none will be transferred to the starter.

 

is it cranking? are you getting spark? what does it sound like? are you getting fuel to the injectors?

 

maybe it's ur timing belt ?!

 

check the cam gears all lined up right timing belts fine. getting spark. really cant explain what it sounds like it just tries to start but wont. And there is water in the spark plugs. would that be a blown head gasket??

 

do a compression test

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cindysi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check the cam gears all lined up right timing belts fine. getting spark. really cant explain what it sounds like it just tries to start but wont. And there is water in the spark plugs. would that be a blown head gasket??</TD></TR></TABLE>

do a compression test. what color is the water? even if u have a blown head gasket, it shouldnt get in the spark plug tubes

 

have you washed the engine bay lately? water easily gets under the boots on the plug wires and down in the plugs if you dont cover them well...no way a bad head gasket would casue this

get the water out of there and i bet itll start...

 

try swapping a main relay from a buddy that also has a honda. bad main relay usually causes no fuel prime which means no start-up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by egcoupe94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are you getting fuel to the injectors? </TD></TR></TABLE>


what is the best way to check this? I know in another recent post

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1774677

describes how to check for fuel using electronic devices, but I bon't have anything except for a test light.
Does anyone know any other way to actually check to see if the engine is getting fuel aside from smelling the plugs (I have fuel at the fuel rail)?

Thanks for the help and I hope the other thread helps too.