Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

'93 4cyln. not starting when wet...

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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 01:27 AM
  #1  
Comitizer's Avatar
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Default '93 4cyln. not starting when wet...

Hello,

I am brand new to the forums and I really need some help.

I am a very poor student with a '93 Accord. In recent months, whenever it is misty and rainy out my car will not start.

I spoke with some people at my local auto parts shop and they thought it could be the spark plug wires. I have replaced the wires and my car still fails to start. Normally, I can wait 'till it gets sunny out and the car will start again right away but it has been raining for days.

When I try to start it, the car just turns over. Sometimes it almost starts. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? I already had to borrow money from my parents to get the wires and the car still won't run.

Please, any help any one could offer would be fantastic.


Comitizer
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 03:00 AM
  #2  
1998hondaaccord's Avatar
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

my nissan truck does the same thing i still cant figure out what is wrong, it takes a few minutes of rough idling to get it to run right.
I keep thinking water is getting into the system somewhere.
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 04:04 AM
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From: Filthadelphia City of Brothers and Love, PA, USA
Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

Replace the distributor cap and rotor.
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 10:50 AM
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Comitizer's Avatar
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Hondaman56)

Do you think it is that?

I have done some reading on these forums and I was wondering if it could be the main relay?

Is it hard to change the cap?

Thanks for all your help

Comitizer
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
Monkey Fing a Coconut's Avatar
 
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Comitizer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think it is that?

I have done some reading on these forums and I was wondering if it could be the main relay?

Is it hard to change the cap?

Thanks for all your help

Comitizer
</TD></TR></TABLE>

if it is the relay try kicking the fuse box under the dash while trying to start the car, sometimes it works...if it does work then u know it is prolly the relay
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 05:21 PM
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From: Hillsboro, oh, usa
Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

I had the same problem w/ my 94 accord and untill I purchased a new disributor cap. I was removing the plug on the cap and putting a hair dryer on it for a couple minutes I basically had little crack in the rubber ring on the cap.
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 06:49 PM
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93CivicDxer's Avatar
 
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From: Abbeville, La, 70510
Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (jasonmmyers)

yep, I bet anything that water is getting in the distributor cap. Just a little moisture

will do that to it
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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94hondaaccordlx's Avatar
 
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From: Westfield, MA, United States
Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (AcCoRdInGtO_91)

my 94 accord will not start when it is very hot and/or humid. The distributor cap was broken so i replaced it. It helped a little but i still have trouble starting on warm days, especially between noon and 4, any other ideas?
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 05:19 AM
  #9  
JimBlake's Avatar
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (94hondaaccordlx)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94hondaaccordlx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... not start when it is very hot and/or humid...</TD></TR></TABLE>That sounds a little different than the cap&wires issue...

For you other guys, the material of the distributor cap or the insulation of the plug wires can break down, letting it short. Let the engine get completely cold, wait till after dark. Start the engine & turn off all the lights. Look for any arcing, probably like a dull blue glow around the cap or wires. Maybe Comitizer shoulda replaced the distributor cap instead of replacing the wires??

The wires were a good guess, but if you can't afford to keep throwing parts at it, you can check stuff before replacing it.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 07:39 AM
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

No, its very easy to change the cap, and fairly inexpensive. The hardest part of the whole job is getting the set screw out of the rotor. Have had this trouble many times, especially with older cars.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 11:19 PM
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Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Hondaman56)

OK cool, I'll give that a shot. Thanks for the help everyone.

I didn't think to try it while it was dark to look for sparks, that is a great idea.

Thanks again,

Comitizer
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:42 AM
  #12  
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From: Jet City
Default Re: '93 4cyln. not starting when wet... (Comitizer)

If Accord distributor caps are like Civic's the cap has a rubber O ring seal....yours may be missing or ill fitted. Get a new seal and take your time putting the cap on to be sure the seal seats correctly all the way around. A new cap should come with the seal.
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