Hey folks,

I have a fun issue with my Accord and am not terribly tech savvy. Know how to do the basics, but more than that and I need some serious time with a manual.

Anyway, my 1990 Accord EX has almost 160k on it, and has been working fine, no sign of any issues at all. Out of the blue, the engine will not even attempt to turn over. I've not had the car overheat in ages - the Check Engine light last came on after getting my alternator changed out a couple years back, and that was just on the initial drive after having that repair done. When I put the key in and turn it, has plenty of juice, all electrical systems are working fine, but when I press the clutch in and turn it, no fire, just one click as the key is turned.

At first we thought it was the starter, so we pulled that off, brought it down to Auto Zone, they tested it, said it was bad, sold us a new one, we got it put on the car, all connections secure, and the situation remains exactly the same.

After that, we checked the spark plugs and they are quite covered in oil, I did see the other discussions on that possibly being the upper and/or lower seals, but would that cause the engine to not fire at all? I plan on seeing if we can clean out the plug cylinders and the plugs themselves (or just replace the plugs after cleaning everything off), but are there any other suggestions as to what it might be? Any advice would be very welcome as we're trying to get this thing at least starting again in my parking lot instead of having to pay for a tow to my normal shop across town.

Thanks,
Amanda
Austin, TX

 

Battery terminals and ground clean and tight?
Sounds like a bad starter, if you hear it click, that is the solenoid kicking into the contacts. If you smack it with a rubber hammer while someone is trying to crank it, the contacts in the starter might make connection.
The contacts are easy to replace in those ND starters and usually cost under $20.
You can check that the clutch saftey switch is allowing power thru to the starter by unhooking the solenoid wire and putting a test light on that lead while trying to start the engine.

 

u know i have a 92 accord and i have that same problem but the only thing that was wrong with it was bad grounds. especially that one that goes from the frame to the front of the engine and the valve cover. that little ground was all it took for it not to even try to start.