Edit: I realize I made a typo in the title. It should say ckp sensor.
As the title says I replaced the sensors, because that was the error code I received, and took it for a short test drive two nights ago. Last night I drove it about 30 miles, and it ran great. No CEL, smooth idle, and then this morning when I tried to start it, it starts for a just moment then dies. Now it cranks, and almost starts, but won't. I pulled the lower timing belt cover and valve cover, and all the timing marks are still aligned. 1996 Accord 4 cyl non vtec
I'm stumped

 

I'll take any suggestions that you might have. This makes no sense to me.

 

What was the exact code you got ?

 

CEL code 8

I also just came across something that I might have done incorrectly. The rear timing balancer drive pulley may not be correctly aligned. The way I originally read it was that the dimple was supposed to be at a 12:00 position, but I just read on another thread that it's actually meant to at a 5:00 position.
Would that cause me to have the problem I'm having?

 

Yes/No? Maybe?

 

CEL 8 Is for the TDC sensor, on a 96 that is part of the same harness down at the crank.

On the crank snout there is a marker on the crank sprocket to line it up to the oil pump housing for timing. If the cam to crank timing is lined up you will be fine. There is no adjustment in the distributor on 96/97 engines so you really can't mess that up.

If the sprockets on the crank and the magnetic pickups are clean then check the wire harness and the connector on the timing cover.
Probably a loose or corroded pin at a connection, check the harness for damage as well.

 

OK I'll check the connectors. I replaced the sensors and it worked for almost 30 miles. That's what I don't get. I have the cam & crank lined up. They are still lined up. The car almost starts but then it won't. This thing is killing me. I'm about to put a bullet I'm it.

 

It is probably a connection or damaged wiring. That may have been the problem from the beginning and not the sensor.
If someone had done the timing belt and was rough with removing the lower cover, it is easy to damage the harness as it is attached to the cover with an orange zip tie.

 

Yeah but that was replaced when I installed the new sensor.

 

Oh yeah, but that is one other thing. I checked the old ones and they did have the correct resistance of 2100. But him how can you trace the wires after the connection? They run under the motor with a bunch of other wires

 

That is the 'fun' part. Look for any visible damage and check any suspected areas. Verify the pins are not corroded or the wire has not corroded inside the pin causing a fault.
Unplug and reconnect the harness connection to the TDC CKP sensor harness. Possibly junk or a misaligned pin. Backprobe the harness on the Engine side of the harness to verify the pins are making contact through the main harness to sensor harness junction.

Track back the wire colors to the PCM.
Disconnect battery(have your radio code), disconnect PCM harness and check to see if the resistance of the sensors is still the same at the PCM connection.
If not then it may be a problem in the harness. If the harness checks out then the PCM may have an issue with a pin or corrosion at the junction.

 

The crank timing pulley and the front balance shaft pulley must be clean in order for the sensors to read off of it.

 

I cleaned it out pretty thoroughly with an air chuck and starting fluid when I put the sensors in.
I checked the resistance at the ecm, and it doesn't appear to the sensors. I also pulled the ecm and couldn't see anything that looked bad (I'm much more comfortable looking at something of that nature). So something else must have went, but at this point, I have no clue what it could be.

This all started with the balancer/pulley coming loose, and it's been a nightmare ever since.

 

If it was a sensor from autozone...or oreilleys then, take it back. Get a new one, they normally have a 30 day warranty. I know that's aggravating..but from time to time you'll get a bad one.

 

Have you checked for spark ? You may have even blown a fuse, possible the 10a ecu fuse in the engine box fuse assembly.

 

I checked the fuses.
I finally gave up. The car has so many miles (276k+), and I've spent too much time on it. I went out and bought a '95 with 176k on it, that has a new top end, and everything in working order $750. It was a theft recovery, so it's got a branded title, but I don't care.
I'm gonna use what I can from the '96 for parts, and sell whatever.