hey guys, ok, the articles I have read on here have been great but I need some help. I picked a 1995 Accord Wagon as a project -- she needed some work, and I was about done....a little history -- the main issue was that it would not stay running, it would fire up and die...so i put an electrical portion I found in a junk yard and it was fixed! cranked every time!!! So, this morning I replaced the valve cover gasket and tube seals...(they were POURING!) the dist is leaking a little oil but not too bad....so i took the cap off (and only the cap) and after reading on here what a process is, I thought better of fixing that today and simply put it all back together....finished the valve cover, put it all back together...same thing as before --- cranks up, will not stay running!!!! AHHHH!!!!!! I took the ignition loose and made sure it was all tight...did i mess something up by just taking the dist cap loose???? I am so frustrated --- what did I screw up? What am I missing? All the fuses are good....

 

tried another electrical portion and a new coil wire, what am I missing?!

 

Key to on/pos II - are you getting 12v on the BLK/YEL wire at the dist?

 

yea this is really odd, sometimes it runs great -- perfect! Just now went out and tried for an hour and it will not stay running, JUST LIKE A BAD IGNITION switch!!! I put in a new switch and it still does it....so it is not the switch...what would cause this int issue?! I think something in the dist is bad, maybe the whole things? I dont know for sure when it does not start there is no way it is getting spark....so, what would prevent that? When it starts, it starts fine every time......when it does not want to start, it will NOT start...for an hour...I finally gave up, I dont want to destroy my starter....any thoughts or things to check?

 

Did you confirm 12v on the BLK/YEL wire to the dist with the key on when this is happening? Does the car seem to fire up and run but die as soon as you release the key from "Start" to run/on/Pos II?

I'd test the ICM and the coil to be sure they "spec" out.

 

And, check for any stored codes from the CEL

 

i have a harness coming from the dist....so just check the wires on that? when it does not start i dont see how i can have spark....what controls spark? and why would it be int? ughhhhh (banging head against the wall) i did swap out a junkyard coil....im going to guy a new one...if it still act up just return it -- just to rule it out....

 

and it does not start running at all, it acts like the elec portion is bad, but i tried a new one and it did the same thing. It will turn over great and just not catch. I can head the fuel pump coming on and can smell gas so fuel is good, it has to be a spark issue. I have ruled out a main relay but once it runs, it is perfect, it does not cut out once it is running

 

i could walk outside right now and it could start right up...then i can cut it off, try it again, and it could just start doing it's thing....

 

Again, check for codes. Test the coil, ICM. I have been reading of more ECU's going in this gen recently but don't go there until we rule out the other items.

 

roger....when you say icm....ignition control module? i tried swapping that out with a used one...but how would i check that?

 

is that the module in front of the driver? below the windshield?

 

No, the ICM (Ignition Control Module - aka Ignitor) is inside the dist.

Do you have the vtec or non vtec motor - should be on the valve cover.....either vtec or something like 16 valve? Or, another way, is the coil inside the dist or outside it.

 

Ok, it is a non vtec 16 valve, the coil is outside the dist..I was afraid I needed to take the dist apart, it looks like a royal pain...

 

The ICM on you car is still inside the dist......just wanted to know so if you need pic's I can post the proper ones.

 

ok, well it is not the coil, hooked up a new one. Still will not start. I may just swap out an entire used dist from a junk yard....thoughts on that? will I have to set the timing if i do that?

 

OK, so, I put in a junk yard ignitor, I am sure it is the right one, still doing the same exact thing. Or course the junk yard ignitor could be bad.....and I have not done the basic checks for spark which I know I should have. Is the computer that could be casuing this the one that mounts in front of the drivers side right below the windshield? I have a junk yard one of those also I have plugged up to no avail --- is that the ecm? does it need to be re-programmed? thanks!

 

Lets slow down just a bit. Can you please answer some simple questions.....I'll have them as yes/no.

1) Key on/pos II - do you have 12v to the BLK/YEL going to the dist - Yes/No

2) Turn the key off, heck remove it. Turn the radio off, blower motor off, shut the doors. Turn the key to on/pos II and listen for the fuel pump to run. Do you hear it - Yes/No

2a) If you do not hear it. Get a helper. Turn the key off,,,,,still with the blower, radio, door closed ect......Open the fuel door and remove the fuel cap/gas cap. One of you turns the key to on/pos II the other listens at the fuel filler. Do either of you hear the fuel pump run - Yes/No

I got a few more but lets start with these. Please answer

1.
2.
2a.

 

1) haven't checked that (I know I need to do that), but i have guess 'no' bcs if i had spark I have to assume she would run

2) fuel pump is good, I can hear it come on and prime

 

try taking apart the distributer and check the wires in the my car did the same thing and let me know if it works there are 3 wires in there so make shure they are tight and wont fall back off

 

an ecm fixed it! yay!

 

My honda won't start.. Don't make any sound.. Is it starter problem? I use S90 throttle body and wolbro fuel pump.. First problem I got is my engine don't have timing when cool.. But okay when I drive about 20 minutes.. Please help honda brotherhood...