Guys, I need some serious help.

I drive a 1992 Integra GS, If you need a list of mods let me know

<U>Problem #1:</U>

So lately, actually ever since i've had this car, its had some troubles starting up.

It'll crank, but sometimes take a few tries until it finally catches. I've replaced plugs, and my fuel pump, and that worked for a bit, but it still has problems.

Now that its getting colder the problems are getting worse.

Today when I was trying to leave work, i'd try to turn my key to start the car, and there'd be about a half second where the car wouldnt crank. It would eventually start cranking but wouldnt start.

I'd try it about 3 times, then let the car sit for a bit.

About my 6th try, there was about 1 or 2 seconds where when I held the key to turn the car on, it wouldnt crank. When it finally did and actually started the car, it would sputter, really low RPMs, and it just would'nt catch. When it finally did, smoke just shot out of my exhaust.

I was able to drive home fine, didn't seem like anything was wrong.

When I got home, I turned off the car, and turned it back on with no problems.

Could this have something to do with the cold? Its pretty cold out today, but my car was parked inside a parking garage. Usually its parked outside my house, and has never had this bad a time starting.

I also filled up on gas today, maybe I had a bad fill up or something? I have no idea what this is.

<U>Problem #2:</U>

At very low speeds, or at a stand still, if I turn my wheel to make a turn, my car makes this very annoying "screeching" sound. The harder I turn the wheel, the louder the "screech" I figured it was my Power Steering Fluid, but I topped it off and the problem is still there.

Any ideas?

<U>Problem #3:</U>

I have this annoying "belt" like sound coming from my drivers side. I can only hear it when I go over 20 or 30 mph, its pretty annoying and loud.

I figured it was my timing belt, I havent checked yet, but could it possible be anything else?


Thanks guys, if I can get these problems solved, my car will be awesome. Right now im freaking out though...

 

I really hope someone can answer these, especially #3 because I have the Exact same problem. Does it sound like the belt increases in speed as your RPM's increase, or is that just me? .
Anyways, in for an answer.

 

The belt sound definately increases as I speed up...

 

#1 any trouble codes?

#2 sounds like you need to check all you belt tentions. if they are tight, the problem lies elsewhere. could be the p/s pump.

#3 timing belts don't screach normally except in a rare case the tentioner is locking up. to check, belt removal and timing cover removal among other components will be nessecary.

 

#1....Try changing ure gas filter...i had the same problem did a full tune up and still did the same ended up being the filter.

#2 TEnsion on belt too tight or loose

#3 sounds like its realted to #2...cant be the timing belt..

 

problem 1: maybe its the cap/rotor? or could be the distributor or the starter isnt spinning the flywheel good.

problem 3- possibly the timing belt tensioner

 

#1 could be your MFR (common problem on 2nd Gens) and possibly weak battery or loose connections at the battery or starter.

My A/C idler pulley bearing froze and the belt was screetching occasionally for a while before it did.

 

Seems like the MFR (Main fuel relay correct?) is what people are saying is problem #1. I've posted over in G2IC also.

#2 most people think its my PS pump or the PS belt. I'll tighten that today.

#3 still don't have many answers for...

 

#3 sounds related to #2, is it a loud pitched screeching?

Depending on how many belts you have on there, (a/c, p/s, and alternator),
First try taking each belt off, Remember which direction they went on,
Now flip the belt and put it back on, and make the tension on it Snug.

(^Say if the belts had lettering on it, if you could read them,
they would be upside down when you put the belts back on.)

If it IS a belt problem, that might save you from having to buy new ones,
It's also fairly unlikely it would be the timing belt, how much mileage is on the car,
And has the belt been changed before?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CleanLikeJdm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">#3 sounds related to #2, is it a loud pitched screeching?

Depending on how many belts you have on there, (a/c, p/s, and alternator),
First try taking each belt off, Remember which direction they went on,
Now flip the belt and put it back on, and make the tension on it Snug.

(^Say if the belts had lettering on it, if you could read them,
they would be upside down when you put the belts back on.)

If it IS a belt problem, that might save you from having to buy new ones,
It's also fairly unlikely it would be the timing belt, how much mileage is on the car,
And has the belt been changed before?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The car as 180k Miles.

Im not sure if the timing belts been changed, i've only owned the car for almost 4 or 5 months.

I assume so, it has AEM pullies and ****, so I assume he has changed them. How can I gauge the tension of the belt? I dont know whats considered tight and whats considered loose

A little update, I tried to turn it on today, the car started after about 5 or 6 tries. Had minor sputters when it actually caught, but seemed to drive fine again...


Modified by Morasso at 10:22 AM 12/9/2006

 

the main relay has a printed circuit board with soldered connections that crack over time. This is a problem in areas that see seasonal changes in temp (hot in summer,cold in winter). I've fixed hundreds, and only replaced about 5, so it is worth a look because it is a free fix if you have a soldering gun.

 

as far as your starter, does it click and not start, or make no click at all?

 

I mean it cranks for the most part. Last night it wouldnt make any sound, then it would finally crank.

How do I check the Main Relay?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Morasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I assume so, it has AEM pullies and ****, so I assume he has changed them. How can I gauge the tension of the belt? I dont know whats considered tight and whats considered loose</TD></TR></TABLE>

Eh, do you have to get different belts to fit those (AEM)pulleys I'm assuming?

Also with determining how tight they are, put it far enough that the belt will not come off,
Pull up on the belt, if it only moves Slightly, then that should be snug enough.

 

#1 maybe starter or dying battery

 

also check your ground cable that goes to the trans on the pasenger side. it is common to break.if the engine is not grounded well, it will try to find a ground. it happened to me.Some how grounded through the throtle cable, melting the the plastic on the inside from the heat. I found out about it when the throtle stuck wide open, that sucked. hope these ideas help. I'm a lisensed tec, and work on mostly Hondas. These are the most common solutions for the problems you seem to be having. If i'm right the cost to fix should run about $10, if you do your own work.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentdeath12886 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">#1 maybe starter or dying battery</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I pull up on the belt, I can actually move it quite a bit, not far enough to pull it off the pully, but it definately moves. I'll try tightning it today.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentdeath12886 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">#1 maybe starter or dying battery</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99b18c &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">also check your ground cable that goes to the trans on the pasenger side. it is common to break.if the engine is not grounded well, it will try to find a ground. it happened to me.Some how grounded through the throtle cable, melting the the plastic on the inside from the heat. I found out about it when the throtle stuck wide open, that sucked. hope these ideas help. I'm a lisensed tec, and work on mostly Hondas. These are the most common solutions for the problems you seem to be having. If i'm right the cost to fix should run about $10, if you do your own work. </TD></TR></TABLE>

EDIT: I just tried starting the car today, and it started up with out problem... Its a warmer day, i'm wondering if the temperature has to do something with it. It seems the hotter the engine is, the better it starts up.

Im ******* confused.


My car wouldnt start after work last night, and I actually had to get it jumped. When I had it jumped it turned right on. Could it still possibly be a bad starter too? or is that probably a bad battery?

Alright, so i've narrowed the problems down based on HT and G2IC.

#1 - Either the Battery dying, or the Ignition Switch.

#2 and #3 - Probably related to the Power Steering Belt and/or Pump

EDIT:

I found this video, this is EXACTLY what "the belt sound" is

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1DYSTfwiziU

I'm mainly concerned with #1 though.

Modified by Morasso at 11:09 AM 12/10/2006


Modified by Morasso at 11:42 AM 12/10/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Morasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I found this video, this is EXACTLY what "the belt sound" is

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1DYSTfwiziU
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do like I said with the belts, My problem was with the alternator belt,
being I don't have a/c-p/s, All I did was put the belt on the opposite direction,
now the sound is gone, the belt would also drag the idle down to stalling.

All I did was flip it around, but if that doesn't work, try getting a new belt.

And that sound in the video was the same one mine made before,
which was on the alternator, and it was Just the belt.

 

your first problem im almost 100% sure has to do with timing. ur cams might be off by a couple teeth...when my friend first put in his new motor he was able to start it up but only after a couple of turns..we later found out one of the cams was off by a tooth....we fixed that and it started right away after that try that hopefully it helps