Hi,
Our Accord will not start. A little history - Replaced the head gasket, cleaned valves, had to replace the rear main seal (not a fun job!). Did a lot of cleaning, etc. Anyway, after all that the car started immediately, but was running rough. My husband drove it down our neighborhood road, and it quit a few times, but started right back up again. Until the last time it quit, when it would not start back up at all. It turns over, but won't catch.

He discovered that the radiator fan connector was shorting out on the a/c cooling line. Fixed that, still no start. He has replaced the main relay, cooling fan relay... we've been testing, all to no avail.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Kind of at a loss here, and don't really want to spend the $$ to have it towed to a shop unless everything else fails.

Thanks!

 

is it getting fue,l spark?

 

Honest Question, Have you done the (Plugs, Plug Wires, Dist Cap, Rotor, Air Filter ) Ok retrace the work that was last done, something might be loose (wire) or not fit together exactly.Dont forget Battery Posts and wires. Well its the first thing I do on my cars.

 

Yes to both, although the spark seems weak.

 

He's retracing now. Replaced the distributor - found a cracked ingniter inside the old one. Also new cap. Same spark plugs, wires, rotor. new air filter. He's concerned he fried the ecu when the wires shorted out.

He is checking wires and connections now to be sure all are as they should be.

 

See this topic for more,

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/92-accord-lx-started-then-died-now-wont-start-3092103/

or this one,

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/1990-honda-accord-starting-issues-3096734/

 

If you need to heres a topic where you can watch the utube video, watch it on utube by clicking on the utube symbol, When you get to the utube page there will be alot of other videos about Honda starting issues. Time well spent.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/car-wont-start-3097783/




or go here, BUT click on the utube symbol in lower right corner




,,,

 

any blown fuses from the fan wire short?

 

@sightsandsounds - will check those links. We have been combing youtube for relevant videos

 

check timing and coil if spark is weak

 

Check the cam my 92 snapped in half .. but honestly id save that one for last i did but u always wanna make sure before u start pulling off ur manifold

 

OP, If any coolant came out when you replaced the fan relay, then air went in. Did you remember to bleed the cooling system (the right way) using the air bleeder bolt on the thermostat as the verifier. It's a slow process when done right. Heater control set to maximum hot to make sure coolant fills every crevice of the system. Fill it, run it, let it cool down, fill it again, run it some more until you know it's good.

The other obvious stuff, as others have said -- confirm timing --starting with confirming TDC and go from there. If your CEL works, is it on?

 

If the head came off.....be sure the main ground on the t-stat housing is on and is clean and tight.

 

r u throwing a code? check that, ive not seen anybody state that so i thought ide ask. maybe you have already done that. what color is the spark you said week is it orange? replace plugs or coil.

in that video it shows your throwing a code. how do i know? your check engine light didnt go off after you just turned it to the ignition. so check the code and you will be able to have your car running agian. let me know the code and i can tell you what it is.

 

The video isn't from the OP but they still need to check for codes.

 

Hi again - sorry for the delay in responding. We have been up to our eyeballs checking connections, wires, etc. One thing that has us puzzled - we have checked for codes but get nothing - CEL comes on once then goes off. No codes. That scares me. Does that mean the ECU is toast?

I will look, but if someone knows where I can find a complete pinout of the ECU I would be very grateful. Thanks for all your previous responses - you have given us a lot to check out

 

googling for "Ab0VE Honda Accord CB1,CB3,CB7 (89-91) Service Manual zip" should help you

 

Check the ground on the t-stat....please.