I bought a 97 prelude a couple days ago. My brother drove the prelude home. When we got home i hop in it to take it for a spin because the guy who i bought it from said that he put low compression pistons in. After he was done, he drove it around for 2 months and now i wont go pass 3.5 rpm. im thinking a tune? But the main problem is that when i was trying to go for a test drive, the prelude wouldnt start anymore. it wouldnt even crank over, not even a click. Battery is on and theres no check engine light. i thought it was a electrical problem, so i replace all the battery terminal and negative starter wire. i even took off the starter and took it into Auto Zone and it passed the test, TWICE! So helpp HT peeps any suggestions.

 

Have you tested the battery?

Have you double-checked all your grounds?

 

i bought a new battery.. for the ground ill doubt check
thanks



anyone anymore?

 

Got all new grounds. Still no luck

 

Not going past 3.5k sounds like you were in limp mode.

Do you know if he changed from obd2 to obd1?

Or maybe pulled the light out for the CEL...

Not sure why he would change to low comp pistons unless maybe he was planning for boost? Maybe he didn't break things in properly.

 

Doesn't seem like its been changed to obd1. i changed all the wires positive n grounds.. when i went to go look for the fuse box under the sterling colum it was like nothing there but it looks like some wires were cut (unless the prelude fuse box are located somewhere else). Can the ignition have some play in it too?

 

When you insert your key and try to start, do you hear your main relay click?


There are 2 fuse box's, one under the driver side part of the dash and another in front of the passenger side in the engine bay.

Are you getting power to your starter?

 

Are you using the correct key? The black one and not the red one?

 

Yea I check the passenger side fuse and its good..but when i looked at the driver side.. I fuse box wasn't there but I seen some wires that were cut n spice.. and no there's no power going to the starter.. changed all the wires out too

 

Red one cause black don't work.. red goes all the way in ignition

 

check all your fuses

 

WOW! I would NEVER imagine that is YOUR problem!!! The red key is the programming key. It can not start the car. You NEED to use the black key with the chip in it. It is the antitheft system kicking in and locking you out of the car.. The red key can not start your car and puts the car into programming mode. Your car will not be able to start after putting the red key in your ignition. It actually erases the programming for your car.

You need to contact your local dealership to have them reprogram everything.Check this link

https://www.google.com/search?q=hond...ient=firefox-a

 

/facepalm @ using the red key.



I agree with professorman - that is your main issue.

Have the car towed to your local dealership and get a new key made/ programed.

(and post a pic of where the fusebox was/ what's left... i'm curious as to what they did)


another question though: when you drove home after purchasing the car, you were using the black key- but now it won't fit in the ignition?

 

I think they have it figured out already...and the original post implies that it doesn't even turn over. Fuel problems would still let the engine turn over. :0

 

I tested the key black It's took me a while but for some strange reason it work and its wasnt locked up.. thank god.. so i got it to start but there is a knock in the block so i am picking up a motor tomorrow.. just to throw it out there I pick up the 97 prelude for $350.00. The exterior is a little beat but the interior is mint.. hack of a deal!!

For the limp mode, is there a way I can remove myself or do I have to go to Honda?

 

Search for how to pull your "trouble codes", then pull them, fix the problem if needed, and then search for how to "reset trouble codes" and/or "reset ecu"...

 

The black key might be worn down. For a long time, my wife couldnt drive my car because you had to 'jiggle' the key (which I didnt without even realizing it) to get it to turn. I finally got a replacement key from Honda and it turns without hesitation. You would need Honda to make the key from the VIN, because if you copy the worn key, you would end up with a new copy of the same worn down key.