Ok, I posted a month or 2 ago about this issue and its happend off and on since but the car eventually starts. Girl friend texts me that her car died as soon as she got to work (92 Accord LX 330k miles 5 speed). I turn the key and hear the click as the CEL light goes out (main relay should be ok), main relay was replaced probably 30-40k miles ago. I smell fuel, so its getting fuel. Also, I hear the fuel pump and it sounds pretty strong. I check for spark, none. I replaced the coil, no dice (returned it). Replaced the ignitor, no luck still.

Battery seems weak at times, usually when its going to not start. I hooked it up to my car to jump it (died from starting attempts), sounds strong after I let it charge for a bit, still no luck. Only thing I can think of is: battery, ECU, or Distributor. Replaced Ignitor, wires, plugs, rotor and cap.... Reason I replaced cap is that it was missing a screw, out of the 3, it was the bottom more difficult one to get to. Maybe moisture got into dist and ruined it over time? Had to abandon it for the night at her work, any suggestions before I continue to bang my head on the wall would be great.

 

we need to know if its turning over or not. A "click" means the battery is dead or the starter is dead. This could also be the power wire that runs from the battery to the starter also. Check that this is secure and rust/moisture free. DISCONNECT BATTERY POWER BEFORE MESSING WITH THIS WIRE. Does it start if you jump it?

 

It turns over fine. By the time I got there it was turning slow, but it turns. The click is the main relay and is suppose to click after is primed the fuel pump and such. Although, I neglected to mention that while trying to start the car it does make a clicking sound when its turning over. It turns over like any other car does when its working properly, but you can just hear a clicking sound (continuous) coming from inside the car while you're holding the ignition switch in the start position.

 

Defeats the purpose of posting here. Thanks anyhow...

 

I'm stumped. I'd pin-point that clicking sound. My first throughts were the distributor or the starter teeth skipping.

 

If it is not a problem with the distributor itself, then the issue lies in the wiring or the ecu. Since it is a common problem for that generation of accord to get a slight water leak through the foot area heater vents, it is a possibility that the ecu has moisture in or around it.

There is also an issue (that i ran into personally) involving the signal wire which runs from the ecu to the distributor. Just before reaching the ecu, it splits into two separate wires and the union is not very well made (look at a wiring diagram in a rebuild book, you'll see it) This could separate easily. Tell me, has the car ever had an issue with the tachometer acting up while the car is running? Bouncing a few hundred rpm or ceasing to read all together?

 

Clicking sound is definitely not the starter. No issues with the tach as far as I know. Someone looked at it while I wasn't there and mentioned the rotor not having a set screw on it, old one didn't and new one doesn't have a hole for one. Idk what to do, I need to get my book and multimeter and go to work.

 

Turned out to be the distributor. Thanks for the help.

 

I just replaced the distributor on my 92 Accord 2.2L EX. The car starts with the old one but it was making grinding noise @ idle speed. I bought the remanufactured distributor, rotor and cap at AutoZone and put it on as indicated on Haynes manual. The engine turns but won't start. Any idea?