Hi, I have a 1997 honda accord LX F22B2, 2.2L Automatic that's recently been unable to start. Prior to this, it would start like a champ. (The distributor was replaced not too long ago.)


Yesterday, I cleaned out the IACV because the idle was running quite low (fluctuating 200-500rpms). While I was at it, I decided to do the EGR ports as well, and while I was doing that, I noticed the fuel injector tips were covered in grime and contaminant buildup.
I sprayed the tips and the mouth of the injector ports with brakleen, then wiped them off best I could, then proceeded with the EGR. After reattaching everything, the car would have a very rough start, and appeared to run for a second before dying. Any attempts after that resulted in a crank no start, with an occasional sputter. I took everything off, inspected everything then put it back together and no change. I'm fairly certain this is a fueling issue.


What I have done so far

• Checked fuel injector resistance --> All are sitting at 2.2 Ohms, no problems there
• Quick fuel pressure check --> Fuel pressure is present in the rail, and the pump primes on startup, but I don't know if it's the correct pressure.
• Checked fuel injector tips, in case I wiped any grime onto the spraying mechanism --> No grime seen
• Car pulls no codes.

There is no smell of gas after cranking. I tried turning the car on to prime the fuel pump, and also cranking with the gas pedal depressed. No change.

My suspicions
I'm fairly certain the problem lies in the fuel rail or the fuel injectors, but I don't know anything beyond that.

• Injectors could be clogged since they haven't been cleaned/replaced in forever, but they were working fine up until now, and it makes no sense for ALL of them to simultaneously clog just from wiping the tips.
• Fuel injector harness kinked, electrical connections not working. I suspect this the most because I noticed there is a small crack in the black plastic tubing surrounding the wires in the fuel rail. I don't know if they were caused when I was propping the rail to the side, or if it's old, but the red and white wires inside can be seen.

Other unlikely, but possible causes? Fuel pressure in rails too low, Fuses blown, IAC damaged, Injector coils exposed to brakleen, fuel pressure regulator malfunction.


I'm at a loss here. This was supposed to be an hour job, and now it's taking up my whole day. I'm going to try and clean the fuel injectors and hope this will be the fix, but I don't know what else to do after that. I really need this car up and running soon, if anyone can help me, it'd be much appreciated.

 

Check Ground G101, located on the intake manifold plenum.

 

Checked the ground. Everything looks fine and attached, I took it off and made sure there was no corrosion at the end. Still no change.
I am beginning to notice a faint smell of fuel from the engine bay when cranking. I can't identify the exact source however.

 

Quick update. Had a mechanic take a look at the car, he said the cause of crank no start was a faulty ignition control module in the distributor. I'll add that he cranked the car once and determined it by listening to the sound of the cranking. He seemed extremely confident that this was causing a no spark condition.

I later checked and found that the spark plugs were firing just fine. Can a faulty ICM prevent startup despite spark being present?

Other Things
I checked the main relay, nothing out of ordinary on first glance.
Will receive starting fluid tomorrow. What should I do if the car won't start even with the fluid?
I'm starting to think it may be the camshaft/crank position sensor. Thoughts?

 

Yes, the ICM must produce spark that is hot enough for ignition. If it is worn out and produces weak spark, or no spark, the engine won't start.