Hello honda tech got a small problem.
I started to swap a f23a1 into a 1997 honda accord lx. Swap has gone well up to the point of it not starting. I checked some write ups and other posts and I am at a loss.

Ok so during the swap I kept the f22 intake, dist., Coil, harness and ecu. Its a friends daily driven car. We drove it to my house into the garage. So I am pretty sure all parts are good and working.

 

Check your grounds, especially the one on the thermostat as I've heard many ppl say this will cause a no start issue.

Make sure you got a good battery and starter and everything is wired correctly.

Does the motor even turn over?

 

Everything is wired as it should be. My first thought was ground so I started adding a few extra. I may even add more to check again. Strater and batt are good. Engine turns over all day have plenty of fueljust no spark. All parts are known good as the car ran before we started.

 

Swap your spark plug wire positions on the distributor 180 degrees. 1-3, 2-4. Firing order is different. I did the swap in my '97 LX and can give you any insight you need.

 

If there is no spark what the heck is changing the wires going to do?


OP- be sure you have the main ground for the ECU attached (G101). It is on the drivers end of the plenum.

 

The car will act as if it doesn't have any spark if the wires are in the wrong spots. Believe me, I went through this same thing before I got the idea to change the firing order of the spark plug wires on the distributor. Fired right up after that.

 

So, both the f22 and the f23 use the same crank position sensor. But im trying to remember...does the f23...have an extrnal coil, like the f22or inside the distributor? JUst a thought. BTW doesnt make sense that swapping the plug wires would do much(As I would think it would still fire...just at the wrong time). But if it does thats interesting. Following this post...

 

Update.. car is running and good now. Was the ground from valve cover to radiator support.

The car had no spark. I was checking at the coil not the distributor. And yes the f22 and f23 fire different. They are 180 frm eachother.

If someone could explain what makes the ground from valve cover to radiator so important?

 

I don't have one from valve cover to radiator, but there is one from the valve cover to the driver side engine mount. The only one that goes to the core support should be coming from the negative battery terminal.

 

Ok, act vs. verify....trust me I've "stuck" more than one SB Chevy dist 180 out before and it had spark....just at the wrong time. So I don't call that "act" like there is no spark, there was spark just on the wrong cyl at the wrong time.

If you thought you car didn't have spark and never verified....well enough said.

 

Dont know. I have one from valve cover to strut tower. But the only one that seems to matter is valve cover to radiator support. Tested it again by takingnit off. Car lost spark again. Took other grounds off and put it back to radiator support and it fires. Don't know don't really care it works.

Other than that swap went well with no other issues.

 

Okay so I have a 97 Honda Accord that has the f-23a and I have no spark can anyone give me the firing order for this engine cuz I cannot find it on Google or anything they say 180° from each other that would mean you swap number one I put it where number four is and take number two and put it where number three is and three would go where two is and four would go where one is. Correct? Because the firing order is 1342 right or is it 1324 IDK I'm confused but back to it not firing the only grounds I have are from the battery to the inner fender well and to the valve cover so I need to add one from the valve cover to the engine mount? Also I found a plug not plugged in on the wiring harness on driver's side it's a small brown plug and I cannot find where it goes I'm thinking it may go to the crankshaft position sensor which would cause it not to fire I don't know can y'all guys help me out

 

Is this a North American Accord?

Not sure what that connector is without a picture or at least how many wires it has and what colours they are. Crankshaft position sensor is on the passenger side of the vehicle, in LHD vehicles at least.

There should be a main ground (G101) attached to the end of the intake manifold, this is the main sensor and ECU ground for the car, without it you won't be able to start the car.


by GhostAccord, on Flickr