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Topic
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Ok so this has been my daily distraction for about a month.
96 Honda Accord station wagon 4cyl- cranks but no start.
Backstory-
Car was diagnosed with a misfire and an oil leak a while ago, but wasn’t a huge problem so -keep driving- The oil leak was pretty slow (more on this later)
about a month ago, I saw that the rpm would drop really low at stop lights and almost shut off- quick google search came up to clean out the air intake control and intake sensor- did it and it ran great for a day, except for an obvious “skip” and I ruled it out as the misfire- keep driving-
next day the car was running ok till trying to get it to the house, for the last few blocks it was really bogged down (almost like all- of a sudden, like a sensor gave out) almost to shutting off. Then I had to make it to a meeting few minutes from the house, figured I needed to clean out the intake again and went. When I finished with the meeting I cleaned the intake again, let it dry and bolted everything back on. Started it up, but it was still running like it wasn’t getting gas, no power just a “putt putt putt” almost like it was going to shut off. (and yes the tank had gas, was almost full) Had to get home, car lost power on the way and turned off (like it ran out of gas) so I got it towed.
Here’s my diagnosis and so far fails:
1)figured- ok its fuel pump. Checked the ignition switch test- pump kicks on. checked main relay- main relay is good. Took the hose off the rail- gas comes out on ignition test. (mechanic friend of mine said they tested the power to the injectors, said they have power)
2)distributor? Checked for spark using spark plug close to ground- spark was intermittent so opened it up and tested at the coil- got spark. Some corrosion on rotor and cap so I changed them out- got spark at the wires. I also found the oil leak at the distributor, it’s a small leak- need to change the gaskets- not a dire problem though. I did notice though that the oil had come in contact with the igniter, but not soaked as the leak was light.
Pulled the plugs- plugs are black (pretty sure its burning oil) changed the plugs, no start still
3) Getting fuel, getting spark- oh no- checked the timing belt. It’s on tight- not broken (whew) and thats where I’m scratching my head. Engine isn’t seized because it was cranking before- and I can crank by hand ( had to show mechanic friend when he said it was seized)
Any ideas or clues?
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see if this helps.
https://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems
Thanks for the link, its actually the guide I followed when I was trying to diagnose the car. Went through everything except checking ecu (which would be a good idea) and flooded engine part (highly doubtful)
Went into my buddy’s shop (where the car is now) and asked his thoughts-
Shop did a leak down test- no issue with the gasket/ cyl called it a mystery and parked it to the side. Another mechanic is supposed to come and check it out.
everyone is baffled.
“everything is there- why won’t you start?”Have most of the electrical components (battery, fuses, grounds) been ruled out? My 08 accord recently had crank, but not start and tightening a loose ground at the transmission mount to the chassis seemed to cure it.
I experienced a similar problem with an Accord. The symptoms definitely seemed like a fuel related issue. However, it was the igniter in the distributor housing. It bogged down and choked out just like a fuel issue, especially after the car warmed up. Some Honda tech friends told me how to test it but to no avail. It can be difficult to detect because sometimes it will allow spark, albeit weak spark. Sometimes they intermittently act up when going bad. I’d suggest looking into this as a possibility. Best of luck
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I’ll be taking it to another shop in the AM, my mechanic buddy is friends with the owner and has free towing. I will make sure to double-check the igniter. When I was checking the distributor I kept thinking about just changing it out. So far the electrical has been ruled out as there is power. I’ll also go through to check the grounds. More to come, thanks everyone.
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