So my '01 EX 4cyl just randomly wouldn't start this morning. I hadn't driven it in 3-4 days but its always been a trooper and NEVER had any problems. Its got 105K miles EXACTLY.

Here's the isssue: it cranks and turns over fine. You even get the classic honda starting noise but then it refuses to fire. Its right on the verge and its almost like it fires and dies at the same time.

I get dash lights and the normal starting process so I know its not the battery, alternator or starter. I recently replaced the plugs and pulled them today and they look great so its not them.

One of my plug wires is a little discolored toward the bottom of the boot (where it meets the plug) and the metal is starting to poke through but I doubt that's the issue.

Any help would be appreciated!

UPDATE: Tried starting it for a while (held key for 8-10 seconds) and it fired but was idling like crap and smell strongly of gas. Ideas?

 

uhh disconnect the sensor/power to your dizzy.
if it makes the same sound and not fireing id check inside and see what the rotor and cap are lookin like. if they good id take that down to local auto place to get it tested. if they black and corroded not shinny replace rotor and cap for like 15$ ne way
make sure u got right plugs ?
rub off white stuff on the boots make sure your wires are good.

 

yeah, I actually went and purchased a cap and rotor tonight but didn't get a chance to put them in. I'll let you know, how that goes.

 

Did you press on the gas while you were trying to start it? You could've flooded the injectors thats probably why it smells like gas. It could be your fuel pump. Open your gas cap and put your ear close, have someone turn the key on but dont try to start it. listen for what sound it makes. if it makes a whining noise it could be bad. hope this helps

 

pull a plug out, put it in the boot and place it next to a ground & have someone crank it over & check 4 spark (or buy the orange/black OEM spark tester 4rm autozone, its like $8 roughly n its good to have anyway) If you have spark move on... Disconnect fuel return line and turn ign. switch to "ON" position n see if you have good flow out of the regulator. If so then u have fuel n spark... ur two most basic necessities n its time to further investigate. I'll keep checkin back so we can figure this out.

Also (just remembered a quick test) before u crank on it a bunch... take off intake and open throttle body or pull off a vacuum line n spray a 2 to 3 second stream of starting fluid down into the line so it goes into the intake manifold, then immediatly try to start it, if it fires u kno its a fuel delivery issue

 

did it ever start???

 

Bump for results? Do you have spark yet?