I am posting here in the hope that someone will be able to think of something that i may have missed. I have a 1994 civic dx that was running fine one day, and the next day would not turn over. After checking the spark plugs, one was fouled, so i replaced the plugs. Further investigation revealed that the distributor was sending spark to all 4, but i had a bad plug wire as well. I replaced the spark plug wires, and the car still won't turn over. It sounds like it is right on the brink of turning over, I even hear the faint pop pop pop of ignition, it just wont crank over. I know spark is getting to the four spark plugs, and after cranking it for a few times, I can smell fuel, and do hear the pump turn over on the initial key turn. I am absolutely stumped. Any ideas?

 

Will not turn over, or will turn over but not start???

Are you getting a "good" spark?

Have you checked timing? 94

 

It turns over, but will not start. Sorry about terminology. The spark seems nice and healthy, I do not have a meter to test it, but jumped the gap between the electrode and a screwdriver quite visibly. I have not checked timing yet, but I have manipulated the distributor while a friend cranked the engine for me. While rotating the distributor towards the front of the car and manipulating the throttle full open with my other hand, I was able to get the engine as close to starting as you can get without starting. It sounded like i just needed to either turn the distributor a tiny bit more or give a tiny bit more gas and it would start up.

 

Check the fuel pressure along with the timing.

Just to be sure check cam timing, make sure belt has not "skipped" a tooth. 94