I am having trouble starting my LS. When I turn the key, there is just the click of the starter relay inside the cabin and the click of the soleniod in the starter under the hood. No cranking. Sometimes it will start, sometimes it wont. I disconnected the wires from the dist. cap, and it cranks ok. I am guessing its not the starter. Seems like a problem getting a good spark. Anyone know what it could be? The barttery is brand new and showing correct voltage on my voltmeter. My guess is plugs, cap and rotor, or some other ignition system problem. The plug wires are brand new. Plugs are 6 months old. Ignition is an accel 300+ with an OEM honda cap (modified) and rotor. I have the crower 62403's if that matters. I am planning to get out my spark tester this weekend to see if I am getting spark. A new cap and rotor are on order. Any one have guesses as to what the problem is?

 

What kind of plugs do you have? If you don't have iridium or other long life plugs I would start by replacing them. If that doesn't work test for resistance across your plug wires. If these are good then you should remove your spark plugs and (one at a time) plug it into the wire and groud the side of the plug on the car and have a friend turn the car over. You should see a solid spark out of each plug, be careful with this, grounding the plug through your body doesn't feel good . If you get a solid spark check your fuel system.

You said something about the starter not always turning over? You could have blown a wrap of wire around the armature which would make the motor turn over sometimes but not when you exposed the bad coil to the magentic field and then tried to start it. Hope this helped some.


[Modified by lsvtec, 10:42 AM 10/2/2001]


[Modified by lsvtec, 10:42 AM 10/2/2001]

 

I had the same problem on my 94 GSR. I replaced the starter and it cranks up fine. Although I swear it did fail to start one time after getting the new starter, but it was a while ago, and I have had no problems since.

 

Plugs are OEM spec copper NGK. I dont want to spend on the iridium when the only benefit is longer life. Not worth the $$ IMO. Wires are ACCEL 8mm and are only 3 months old. I measured their resistance as compared to the OEM sumitomo wires and the difference was significant on my meter.

I will try the spark test with my tester this weekend. The starter dosent always turn over the car with the plug wires or coil wire attatched but when I detatch the plug wires or the coil wire, it turns the engine over every time. This Is why I think its prob. not the starter. What i am confused about is why the starter would work with the wires disconnected, and not work normally when they are connected.