I need some help quick before the snow comes or I pull all my hair out. I've got a 99 accord ex, 4 door, that has been driving me insane. It ran when I parked it less than a year ago and I can't for the life of me figure out why it doesn't now. I've been trying to get this thing going for a month or so and finally decided that making a Honda tech account may be my only hope. I've learned a lot while reading your forums from Google search so let's see what you people can do for me now.


When I first started messing with it I knew the battery was dead due to not starting it for a good portion of the year or so it sat. So I figured I'd try to jump it before I go charging the battery. Before jumping it I added some sea-faom gas treatment and about 12-15 gallons of gas as it was low on gas anyway. I then proceeded to jump it. It would turn over and everything just wouldn't start so I tried some starter fluid with no luck. I then decided to take the battery up to get charged and while it was getting charged my neighbor offered to sell me a battery she had which was a side post one. I didn't realize the positive and negative were on opposite sides and hooked it up backwards. Nothing major came out of that though. I replaced the 100 amp main fuse and we were back to where we started. After that i relozed you couldnt really hear the fuel pump prime. You could but it was very quite. So i replaced that with no luck either. Then I had a hunch it may be the main relay so b I replaced that with no luck. I had someone check my fuel pressure and I'm getting fuel out of the line that connects to my fuel injectors but as far as they can tell I'm not getting any on the spark plugs and none of my injectors are powering up. I was thinking maybe check my grounds..maybe clean or replace my fuel injector wiring harness..or maybe it's the anti theft somehow acting up. I've read a lot about all of this I'm just hoping someone else can help eliminate any possibilities. I'm pretty new to this car stuff so I'm just figuring a lot of it out as I go. HELP!?

 

Post is kinda all over the place. But, if sitting for a year...I would suspect bad fuel/maybe even clogged injectors. However, if you have a spark plug tester...check for spark. But, because you said you used starting fluid(Assuming you opened up the throttle plate and sprayed it directly into the intake) then tried to start, spark might be an issue. Be methodical...check and ensure you have good spark on all cylinders...then focus on the fuel. it should for sure fire on starting spray.

 

Yeah sorry I felt like it was a everywhere too. I was in a hurry and honestly wasn't sure how much help I'd get anyway. If it were clogged injectors it'd be pretty unlikely that all of them are clogged , right? There was only a couple gallons in the tank and I added about 15 to it plus the sea faom gas treatment. I tried to start it with starter fluid after that and still nothing. I sounds like it wants to start soo bad, just doesnt.

 

And yes I sprayed it directly into the intake.

 

Is your anti-theft working? Make sure the key/transponder is working correctly otherwise...

As mentioned you will need to verify spark.

Pull random spark plug out of engine, reattach it to spark plug wire, with the plug pressed against the engine(grounding it) have someone crank. You are looking for a bluish white spark.

Do all of the warning lamps still come on when turning the ignition to II(ON)?

I would also suggest pulling the alternator and verifying it was not damaged when you reversed polarity. In some vehicles if the alternator is damaged like that the PCM will not allow the engine to start.

 

Awesome. I'll check all the lights tomorrow and see what comes on and if anything stays on. What do you mean by transponder though? I don't have a key fob of any sort just a regular ol key. I was getting spark last time I checked but will double check and make sure I'm getting spark to all the plugs as I've only checked one each time.

 

Starting in '98 Honda used chipped keys. There is a chip in your key and a transponder ring around the ignition switch. Chip is in the plastic handle of the key. If you cut a generic key, or an unprogrammed chipped key the car will not start. There should be an anit-theft warning lamp in the dash cluster flashing if the key is not working.

Get back to basics,
Verify compression. No compression, no combustion.
Verify the air filter/intake tube is not obstructed.
Verify the rotor on the distributor rotates smoothly. If jerky the camshaft belt may be loose/slipped.
Verify injectors are firing/fuel is getting into the cylinders.
Verify the gas is not completely wasted. A gallon of urine yellow gas can ruin a tank of good gas. Or if there is water in the tank, water will settle to the bottom where the sump is.

 

What can I do if it is the security system? Haven't had a chance to look but I'm pretty sure the green key keeps flashing with the ignition turned to the on position.

 

The key lamp should come on for a moment, recognize the key and then turn off. If the light is off or blinking, the immobilizer is not recognizing the key.
Find your other key(s) and check to see if they work, except the red key(if you have one) Never, ever, eva-eva-eva-eva-eva use the red key under normal conditions. That is not to be used.
If you have other immobilizer keys from different cars, keep them separate from each other, same with magnets and cell phones, the key can be wiped.
Highly unlikely both keys are bad, then I would look at the PCM(check for codes) or the immobilizer receiver around the ignition switch.
Verify the battery is holding a full charge, 12.4V.
Verify there are no stored codes.
Observe the key lamp. When turning to OFF does it continue to blink?
Verify that the ignition switch itself is not faulty.
Part 1 -How to Test: The Ignition Switch (Honda Accord 1998-2002)

I'm not all that familiar with troubleshooting the immobilizer system, if you have the owners manual I believe that there is a section on how to temporarily mobilize the car when the key is not properly working.