I have a Honda Accord that has a starting problem.

It's 1997 LX 4DR Auto-transmission and has 158,000 miles on it.

It was running great until the night of the Christmas Eve when I parked it at our apartment complex after coming back from last minute shopping.

A few days passed by and when I tried start my vehicle on the 27th, I cranked fine but began to shudder and stalled out.

After that whenever I try to start it, it cranks but dose not completely catch or start.

The battery didn't seem to have much "juice" left on it so I replaced it with a brand new one.

Now it cranks a lot stronger but still does not start.

I did a research on the internet and decided to check the "main relay" only to find it was not the one causing the problem.

I finally had a friend of mine come over this morning and take a look at it.

He checked fuel supply and said it's working fine.

He checked spark plugs, and they were fine too.

He said that timing may be off just a little bit after listening to the cranking sound.

He suspects lack of compression due to faulty timing belt and recommended timing belt replacement.

What do you guys think? He is quite knowledgeable about cars and works on his own vehicles, but I am not sure how good he is.

If the timing belt needs to be replaced, do you guys recommend it being done at the dealer or any honda specialist?

 

Do you get spark at every spark plug wire

 

Is this only an issue when it's cold? Do a compression test and see if that is the culprit. If the compression test looks ok, and you know you're getting fuel and spark, I always like to check things like the ECT and IAT sensors before I start looking at timing.

 

I don't think he checked every single one. Then again, I was the one behind the wheel turning the key as he told me to do.

 

I believe something similar happened a few times before when it was cold. It would crank and shudder for a bit and I would push the gas paddle several times and it would finally start and stay on. Then I would not have any problem for weeks. BTW, we did have a below freezing weather around Christmas time.

Come to think of it, my coolant temp gauge has been acting weird for a few months. Could this mean ECT sensor malfunction?

 

Hell yes and I can almost guarantee that to be your issue. Cheap part, easy fix.

 

coolant temp gauge has no correlation whatsoever with your ECT.

You can, however, test the ECT and it could very well be the issue. Using a multimeter, take off the connector going to it, it's under the distributor and is a two prong sensor. The other one is a one prong sensor. Leave that one alone you are messing with the two prong sensor.

Testing the two prong sensor, test for ohms. Should be 2000-2500 or so with the car completely and totally cold.

 

If you check for spark and fuel and both check out, then You may have snapped the timing belt when it started, did you hear any noises? Its pretty easy to check, just remove the valve cover gasket check the tensoin on belt then either turn engine over by hand or bump the starter, to see if the valvetrain is turning ok. If all this goes well, i would do a compression test.

Also, on your 97, assuming the VTEC and non VTEC engines are the same, it has three temp sensor/switches. A single wire on the side of the pass side head for the gauge, theres a two wire right next to it(Thats your engine temp controller, it tells the computer what the coolant temp in the engine is, very important btw) and finally theres a two wire on the thermostat housing, which controls your cooling fan operation.

 

If the timing belt snapped wouldn't the pistons hit the valves and lock the motor when trying to start it?

 

I disagree

The gauge itself doesn't however the ECT sensor relays temperature information to both gauge and more importantly the ECU.

Unless the 97 Accord has 2 different temp sensors.One for the gauge and one for the ECU (I'm not too familiar with the setup)

 

No, normally it just bends all or some of the valves. but the engine will still turn over ok. However, there will be little or no compression on one or soem cylinders. Even if the belt just got loose and slipped a few teeth, it can make slight contact with a valve(s) and cause engine to loose compression. Which means a no start

 

It actually has three sensors. one for the gauge(A single wire located under the distributor), a second(a two wire sensor, located right next to the single wire one which sends the coolant temp signal to the ECM. The final one is located on the thermostat housing, this is also a two wire, but this is strictly used for cooling fans.

 

I stand corrected.

 

http://www.hondapartscheap.com/parts...er-pump-sensor

15 is the sender to the dash gauge
9 is the engine coolant temperature sensor SOLELY for the ecu
16 is the fan switch when ignition on
18 is the fan switch when ignition off

so yeah you stand corrected

 

This reminds me of when I had the same problem with my '93 accord. I found the main fuel relay was bad. Here is the website that explained it all. I replaced the main fuel relay and drove off!

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

 

1997 Accords are notorious for ignition switches burning out. Have you tried the key trick? Turn key to start. Do not let it turn all the way back on its own. Hold it turned between on & start. If it stays running. You need a new ignition switch. 50$ usually. Located left side of steering column right nesr the steering wheel. Hint: pull the switch apart to install.

Honda issued a recall on this item.