Hey everyone,
I have a 1991 prelude si that I can't seem to get started. The engine will not turn over by the key, only by connecting a jumper wire to the starter solenoid. When it does turn over there is no crank of the engine. I checked the fuel rail and fuel filter and it is completely dry (no fuel). I believe I can hear the fuel pump activating in the trunk when I turn the key to the start position. Does anyone have any recommendations on what this could be/what I can check? I'll post some pictures of the fuel rail and filter. (Just want to mention that the chewed up wire in the pic is NOT a part of the car. I just sat it down to take the pics).

*** also if anyone can explain how to post photos? I uploaded it as a .pdf but it will not upload them. I will update this thread with them once I find out how.

 

 

If it won't crank with the key, you obviously have some electrical issues, which could be related. Check all the fuses in the fusebox under the hood and under the dash.
Does the ignition at least turn on when you turn the key on? IE: do the dash lights light up? Does the cel turn on for 2 seconds and then shut off? or does it come on and stay on, or never turn on at all?

 

The dash lights turn on, the main relay clicks and I hear a few other relays clicking on as well. Everything electrical works from the pop-up headlights to the rear antenna. Once I turn the key completely over though, nothing changes. The lights don't dim or flicker, just no response. I have tested the ignition, the starter, and installed a new battery and cables. I also checked all the fuses and none are blown. It is a manual so I suspected that there may be a problem with the clutch pedal sensor, but after checking that it seems to be working fine. I have been trying to get this prelude started for about a month now. Just a little background - it was sitting outside parked for a few years after it had an overheating issue. Some ignition wires may have been chewed up or damaged but everything else is working perfectly, and I haven't located any chewed wires or any other components.

 

Quick update: so I checked the fuel pump today and found a mice nest right on top of it. Great! The fuel pump wire isn't showing any voltage when I turn the key on so I believe it may be a wiring issue for the fuel pump problem. One strange thing is that there was an unconnected wire sitting beside the fuel pump that I can't find out where it goes. I'll post so pictures of it below. The fuel pump harness is connected in the photo (white harness) and the red cable in the photo is the one I found not plugged in. There isn't any slack in the line so I think it does belong in that area. I can't find any info on this wire online so far, so any help is appreciated. Also, I checked the CEL when I turn the key over - it comes on solid for about 2 seconds, then CEL turns off completely.


The fuel pump wire is connected in this photo, it is the white harness sitting on top of the pump.

This is the strange wire that was not plugged in when we opened it up

 

That's originally a pink connector, and it's for an ABS wheel sensor. I'm not sure how it ended up on top of the fuel pump haha