Hi all, long time lurker and a newbie here. Typical Crank/No Start problem here....please shed a light or two for me!

I have a 1999 EM1 with original B16A2 all stock. Almost 300k km/240k miles.

Car was driving fine until last week. I let it it for about a week, two days ago I tried to start it but it cranked but not starting. Let it sit, yesterday I tried again and it started. Just now I was trying to start it and it just cranked but did not start. I tried jump starting the car but did not work.

No CEL, all electrics work, I believe the tach did not move when the car cranks but no start.

Some research led me to believe it's a combination of 1) Main Relay 2) Distributor or 3) Coil. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

Does the CEL come on for ~2 seconds then turn back off when you turn the key to ON(II)? Do you hear the fuel pump prime? Buy/borrow/rent a spark tester - what color is your spark?

 

Yes, CEL comes on and back off when it's ON(II). I forgot to listen whether or not the fuel pump prime...will do so later today/tomorrow. I will ask my mechanic and see if I can rent his spark tester after holidays. Thank you for your help!

 

This may or may not help.
My last civic sat for a couple days and would not start. Not even when jumped. After replacing all kind of parts and still no go. Until I notice the ground cable from chassis to tranny. Super corroded. Green oxidation on both ends. Change out the cable and the car started right away.. Maybe look at the ground point? Make sure they are not corroded. Clean with brake cleaner and wire brush if needed.

 

Ohm and short test the CKP sensor circuit.

 

CEL comes and and goes away, fuel pump primes when in ON(II) position...still does not start.......

Thank you for your response. Did your car crank when you had the corroded ground?

Thanks, should't there be a code if CKP malfunctions though?

 

Not always. Sometimes, things go just bad enough to stop the car from starting, but not bad enough for the ECU to realize it's broken. Still waiting for you to test spark color. The tool is something like $15 at your local parts store. Just go buy it.

 

This happened to my ek sedan 97 a/t a few months ago. Mechanic checked everything else, turned around it was 1 dead spark plug.

Check all 4 spark plugs see how it goes.

 

Hey, thank you all for the responses. Turns out to be the distributor cap and rotor. Thanks again!