i have a 1991 accord lx 5 speed. i had it parked for a while because the tranny went on it and i had no money for a new one. i would periodically start it just to get it running, and one day it just shut off on me when i was moving it. it wouldnt start for about 10 minutes then it fired right up. about a week later i tried startin it again and it wouldnt, and since then it hasnt started.i replaced the rotor and dist. cap and it still wont start. when it turns over i smell gas so i suppose the fuel pump is still pumping but im not sure. i kno its either spark or fuel but im not sure which one.

 

Does it have spark?

 

i took the wire out and put a sparkplug in it and turned it over and saw no spark. it was an old sparkplug but i figured it shoulda sparked neways. but if i smell fuel when its turnin over does that mean the fuel pumps still pumping?

 

Maybe. I'd look into the spark problem first. I'd check the coil, maybe someone can post the specs.

 

i have a 4th gen and i had the same problems.. first.. get a new spark plug.. plug it into the wire and dont screw it to the engine.. jsut see if u can see sparks.. if there is no sparks.. then i am sure its ure distributer.. go the local junk yard and get buy it.. should be around 100us or less.. this problems is cause by ure crank distributer not putting out current or is just dead.. so there is no point in changing all the cap and etc.. get a whole new distrub.. its worth it.. trust me.. i change everything on the distrub and i didnt wan to start for nothing.. when i got the junk yard distrb its started like it was never dead.. the only reason why ure able to smell petrol is cause ure fuel pump is pushing gas to the cyclinder and there is no spark trying to ingnite it.. so all u will be able is to crank it.. and smell gas.. when ure getting ure distrb u might as well get the main relay too .. some times ure disrtb and main relay goes out the same time.. but if its ure distrb.. then keep the main relay cause ure going to need it in future.. our 4th gen are getting old.. and the components that we use everday are getting weak.. so u might as well have a spare for cheap rather than making another trip to the junk yard another day or even spending 100usd on a new relay.. i hope that helps u out with ure problem.. good luck

 

well my civic is in storage and i had the same problem.
it's your fuel bro.
IF you tank is sorta empty:
*go to gastation and get NEW?FRESH gas
*go to auto store and get "gasoline stableizer"

you should have no problems. *** old crudy gas sucks

 

ok, how do you suspect it's the gas when you smell fuel and you are getting no spark.....damn we have some smart ones here.

anyways, i just had hte problem with my 4th gen. If it the matters with heat and cold and it starts sometimes (intermitten) then it's probably the main relay. The main relay gets heat sensitive when it's going out. On mine it was the ignition coil. If your's is the internal coil take the cap off and rotor and that black plastic casing inside there, check the continuity between the + and - terminal on the coil, then between the + and the tower (part that attaches to the cap, it's the spring). if you have continuity between them then it's not the coil. i think between - and + i had like .6-.8 ohms, and between the + and the tower it's around 19k ohms. if that checks out then check the ignitor to see if it's getting power from the ecu.
http://www.crx.org/southcal/tech/ign...er-testing.htm
the colors will be different. if you get voltage from the ignition then that means the ignitor is bad, but if you do'nt, then that means the main relay has gone bad. hope that helps

 

ya really..i kinda figured out it wasnt fuel after i saw no spark...and there is a frsh tank of gas it..i already thought it may be that umm..lets see...about 2 months ago. ur two sense has been alot of help.


[Modified by philipkrotch, 10:42 PM 1/2/2003]

 

i was refering to the person that suggested it was fuel after you already said it was getting fuel so no need to get defensive.

check all that i told you and i'm sure you will find it. second time i've had ignition problems with a honda. i'm used to it.

oh ya, autozone has the haynes manual for our cars, it diagnoses it for you and shows you how to do it. very helpful for 15$


[Modified by cyrixvsp2, 6:24 PM 1/2/2003]

 

i wasnt referring to u.i was referring to the guy about the fuel also.sry about the miscommunication. and i had already purchased that manual the day i got the car, it has helped me a great deal so far in fixing my p.o.s 4th gen.

 

did you ground the plug? you have to ground the plug to see if you're getting spark. hold it by the wire and touch it to a part of the motor that's not painted. the valve cover should work, but be careful you don't catch anything on fire since you probably have a good amount of fuel in the chamber from trying to start it.

 

if you decide you do need the distributor i have one off my 90 accord that was working when i took the motor out.

 

yes..i do need one, how much would you be willing to sell it and send it to me for? i live in pa.it would be much appreciated.


[Modified by philipkrotch, 9:18 PM 1/3/2003]