Recently my 90 Accord EX trashed the harmonic balancer in an abrupt manner -- poof! I replaced the balancer and belts but when I went to start it, it didn't crank at all. Symptoms are that it lights up the dash with normal lighting to include the "check engine" and audible clicking of the fuel pump. When I turn the key to start position all lights go out along with a loud audible click/clank up front. I don't think it is the solenoid, though. It is something before that area of the engine but I can't locate where. I did try to bypass the system by jumping straight from the battery to the starter (pos-pos) and a jumper wire from the pos on the battery to the small terminal on the solenoid. I was able to make the starter turn that way; meaning it cranked when bypassed. I did not start the engine, only tried to turn the starter. I can't get the key and ignition switch to crank and start the thing. Any suggestions???
Scott



Modified by SOKal at 8:13 AM 11/11/2006

 

well, try manually crank the thing with a breaker bar

 

So, you don't have a clue either.

 

It's not that he doesn't have a clue, it's the fact that there could be multiple problems with the engine. Pull it back apart and make sure everything is properly installed and then we can rule out technician error and blame it on mechanical failure. And like iam7head said, make sure you can manually crank the engine so that you know it's not locked up in the bottom end.

 

Battery terminals clean and tight? Grab up your handy test light and see if you are getting 'crank' signal to the solenoid when turning the key to start.
If not you'll need to back track the electrical.
I can't think of anything that would have been disturbed on a crank pulley replacement that would cause this to happen.
You might get someone to tap the starter while you crank via the key; it could be bad starter contacts, they are easy to replace and lots cheaper than a new starter.
http://members.troublecodes.ne...t.jpg

 

Thanks for the replys, an sorry for the reply to iam7head. Thought he was being a SA. I've replaced the starter with another one that I know works. I've bypassed the ignition as described in the first posting. It cranks, which means that the engine is free to turn.

Are there fusible links anyplace that I should be looking for at fault, or are there other items, like the main breaker that need to be replaced. I'd hate to go through a bunch of trial and error techniques here, getting nickeled and dimed all over the place. It has to be something obvious but unusual. I usually work with old Chevies (like 56 Nomads) which don't have all this state of the art (17 year old tech) on board.

Scott

 

By the way, I like your patch. I see it is of a Titan II. Which wing were you in and when?
Mine was the 91st at Minot in the early 80's.

Scott

 

Main relay or distributor.

 

Awww, the beauty of a doner car. The distributor is good. I'm thinking more in line of the main relay -- since it is the least I know about (and cheaper to replace). I'll grab the one out of the doner, try it, and let you all know the success.

Scott

 

I am having this EXACT same problem with my 1988 Prelude Si. My vehicle does start tho...eventually. I'm going to be checking the battery terminal connections and probably replacing the main relay as well. It sounds like that is the problem.

BTW, I can't give you an URLs coz I didn't record any, but I've found many sites/boards that list that Hondas of that period had problems with the main relay when the car became older.

I have a post in the Prelude forum where it was also recommended to me to have the started looked at or replace the main relay.

Good luck! I'll keep stopping back to this post to check your progress! Please keep us (me) informed!

 

hit the starter with a hammer and then crank it if you can hear the starter relay click when you turn the key to start the car. if it starts after hitting it with a hammer, replace starter

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YeuEmMaiMai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hit the starter with a hammer and then crank it if you can hear the starter relay click when you turn the key to start the car. if it starts after hitting it with a hammer, replace starter</TD></TR></TABLE>My favorite thing to do to a customer/strangers car when the starter fails... too bad I work in a pharmacy now