I recently installed a new timing belt and balance shaft belt. When i went to start it up i realized that the starter was shooting sparks. I replaced the starter and did a tune up. Tried to start it again and no go. Checked everything - getting spark, fuel and air - all fuses are good - battery is fully charged - checked timing marks and tdc several times. It will turn over just fine but will not start. I don't know what is causing this problem and i'm getting really frustrated. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It seems there is some important info missing from the post

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DavidLT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I recently installed a new timing belt and balance shaft belt. When i went to start it up i realized that the starter was shooting sparks. I replaced the starter and did a tune up. Tried to start it again and no go. Checked everything - getting spark, fuel and air - all fuses are good - battery is fully charged - checked timing marks and tdc several times. It will turn over just fine but will not start. I don't know what is causing this problem and i'm getting really frustrated. Any help would be greatly appreciated.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sure about the spark timing? Is the spark getting to the cylinder? Along with the fuel and air? The distributor is part of the link, so be sure the timing is correct. The spark has to get to the right cylinder at the right time.

 

The timing is right and spark is getting to the cylinders and at the right time. I didn't mess with the distributor itself, just replaced the cap and rotor. It is getting fuel all way to the rail. I didn't check the injectors, but i don't think that all four would go out at once. I mean the car was running before i replaced the timing belt. Everyone i know that knows anything about cars say it's the timing somewhere. It's really frustrating cause all the timing marks are lined up and it was all set up at tdc on the compression stroke on the first cylinder like the manual says. It got checked and rechecked three times in a matter of two days.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondadude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It seems there is some important info missing from the post</TD></TR></TABLE>

What info is missing?

 

When you say the starter was 'shooting sparks' .. do you mean looking threw a port to the inside of the clutch area? or on the outside near the wire?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TOP END MS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you say the starter was 'shooting sparks' .. do you mean looking threw a port to the inside of the clutch area? or on the outside near the wire?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was shooting sparks on the outside of it through the crack where it is put together.But not near the wires. It was coming from the front side towards the radiator.

 

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

What info is missing?</TD></TR></TABLE>
when you did the 'tune up' on your 79 Accord did you install a new set of points in the dist?

 

you say its getting spark so timing is out if its correct that leaves FUEL did u use carb cleaner in the throttle while cranking to see if it starts???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondadude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
when you did the 'tune up' on your 79 Accord did you install a new set of points in the dist?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's not a 79 it's a 92. The ony thing i did to the dist is install a new cap and rotor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smokin151 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you say its getting spark so timing is out if its correct that leaves FUEL did u use carb cleaner in the throttle while cranking to see if it starts??? </TD></TR></TABLE>

No I didn't. Will that tell me if my injectors are bad? Cause like i said, it is getting fuel at the right pressure to the rail. It's got a new fuel pump that is working right and same for the main relay. Checked the pressure at the rail and all is good, but didn't fool with the injectors. They are the only thing i'm not sure about as far as fuel goes.

 

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

It's not a 79 it's a 92. The ony thing i did to the dist is install a new cap and rotor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Check spark plug wire order. Could be that you messed up the order. Simple fix.

 

Wire order is right.


Modified by DavidLT at 6:24 PM 1/5/2007

 

Check Ignition Switch, Try Turning the key and holding it turned halfway between the "start" and the "on" position if the car stays running the ignition switch is your problem.

In that case its about a 50$ Fix... you can PM me if that is the case, i went through the same sorta things a few years back, so that may be the case.

Cheers

-Chad

 

Pretty sure it's not the ignition switch. It was working just fine before timing belt. And the engine will turn over, just won't start.

 

yeah that's what happens when the ignition switch goes, it will turn over but it won't stay running, just try holding the key turned forward, if it stays running then replace that, this happened to me, just trying to lend a hand.

 

Thanks for the help,but it wasn't the ignition switch. I just replaced it and still no go.


Modified by DavidLT at 7:32 PM 1/13/2007

 

Did you find a fix for your problem? I JUST ran into the same issue with my 97 Prelude. I have torn down the car many times, but this time, it will turn over, but not start (no combustion in the cylinders). I smell gas and suspect a spark issue... but I am getting spark! Very frustrating!

 

this may be an out of the blue suggestion, but take a look at your IAT (intake air temp.) sensor, or your ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor.
if they are shot, they may be telling your computer its really cold out demanding more fuel and that in turn is drowning the spark

like i said, this is only an out of the blue suggestion

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NetRat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you find a fix for your problem? I JUST ran into the same issue with my 97 Prelude. I have torn down the car many times, but this time, it will turn over, but not start (no combustion in the cylinders). I smell gas and suspect a spark issue... but I am getting spark! Very frustrating!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry,but no i haven't. The only that me and like 20+ people can figure is it's in the timing somewhere. It IS VERY frustrating. i've had 4 other people go behind me and check all the timing marks and everything is lined up. Just ready to go take a sledge hammer to it. It's gotten $500 in random parts in the last month trying to fix this. And to top it all off, yesterday i talked to the guy i got the car from and he said he had just put a new timing belt on not long before i bought it from him.

 

whens the last time u changed ur wires and spark plugs

 

Just did like two weeks ago.

 

my 90 ex is doing the same thing, I can see spark, theres fuel but no dice,,, checked timing countless times,,someone?

 

sounds like you replaced alot of things just by guessing to try to solve your problem. are you using OEM parts? getting a shop to look at it can cut your cost from guessing. to me, it does sounds like a timing issue. just because it ran fine before you changed the belt, don't mean that parts that aren't related are still good. if your car is turning over but not starting, sounds like a distribution problem to me. maybe its not firing like you may think. check to make sure your ignition wires are all seated properly, your plugs are in good shape, your rotor is proper installed. check your distributor coil. mine fell off twice and gave me the symtoms that your having.

 

The distributer was off a little. Fixed it tonight.