Engine will not start and run?

Hello,

It sounds like you have a timing belt that has let go. To be sure can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. I need to hear the engine crank over so I can tell. Please let me know.

Downloading two videos; one is restart after shutting off, other is engine running from cold start then shutting off.

Thanks for the video. The timing belt sounds okay, I would now think the engine has no spark like the distributor has gone out. To be sure lets check the system. here is a guide to help you check for spark:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please run down this guide and report back.

I just replaced my main relay. The car started after a few cranks. I tried again and she started right up, ran for ten minutes, and stopped. no she wont start at all! she cranks but doesnt catch, just like before I replaced the relay. When the key is in the on position i hear the relay click but i dont hear the fuel pump turn on. what could be the problem?

Check and see if you have spark? When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

I actually do hear the fuel pump turn on. Yes it has spark.

Check the fuel pressure with a gauge if its within specs and also the engine compression-

i have a 93 honda accord and i had the same problem check to see if there spark in the spark plug while u crank the engine if theres not that means its your distributor

Turns over, no spark. well very little.

The nice thing about OBD1 cars (pre-1996) is that you can pull trouble codes without having a scanner. Following is a how-to guide for pulling codes from a Honda: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/honda-car-1990-1995-obd1-code-retrieval-procedure-and-definition-table

See if there are any codes and report them back here and we'll go from there. Hopefully it will narrow things down a bit.

hey guys I just got anew dist, cap . roaders .starter, harmonic balance all new belts ,thermostat ,new radioter my car still wont start it turns over theres spark the fuel pump is working it has pressure and I have a new batterie tina 1990 Honda accordnow what do I do

also it seems my spark plugs seem to grt flooded out when I try to start it why is it doing that any ideas

Have you tried pulling trouble codes yet? If not, please do so we can move past the "throw money at it" method of repair. It's clearly not working.

My 1990 Honda , on hot days, will not start. It will crank, but sounds like it isn't firing. If I cycle the ignition ket 4 or 5 times, then it will start. I have haeard two different reasons for the proble: 1) the fuel pump is bad or 2) there is a circuit board under the dash that controls the fuel pump relay that has a problem due to the thermal cycles of heating and cooling for the vehicles age. I'm wondering if the problem is the fuel pump relay itself possibly having burnt contacts due to the age and needs relpacement.

What is the correct answer? How hard is it to repair? Where would I find instructions on how to complete the repairs?

Phil

Hi Phil, The cause should be the PGM-FI main relay located under dash. Quite often the soldered contacts of the circuit board of the relay cracks causing intermittent failure. Unplug the relay from its housing and resolder the contacts.

Thank you for your response. Do you know how difficult it is to get to the relay? I probably won't get it repaired for awhile, since it is working now.

Hi Phil,

It really is not that difficutt to get to it. Just have to move the seat as far back as possible and crawl under the dash and look up.

It would only be intermittent failures most of the time but sometimes it would just fire up and then stall. Under such circumstances it might not start until you wait some time. I would advise getting it done as such electrical faults are rather unpredictable and we do not know when it is going to fail or work.

I had the same problem this summer. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump, but that did not fix the problem. He then replaced the distributor cap, and that did not fix the problem. Finally he replaced the main relay and the car has not had a problem starting ever since.

I was driving my car and while i was driving i felt a little pull and i took my foot off the gas and i went to accelerate and i noticed nothing happened. my radio and everything in my car still was on. i pulled over and tried starting my car it cranks but wont turn over. i have replaced my alternator and battery when i bought the car last April i have also replaced the timing belt and balancing belt last September my mechanic replaced my fuel pump and fuel relay thinking it was something with the fuel system neither worked. my mechanic is telling me something with the cars computer meaning i would need to take it to a dealer and hook it to their computer and see what it is, which would cost a lot of money. since having this car i have put almost $1,500.00 in repairs such as replacing parts. I do not know what it could be that is not letting my car start. if anyone might have a clue let me know. i need my car it is my only transportation and it is difficult with a family.

Hello,

I have seen this problem before, remove the distributor cap and look for rust colored dust, this is letting you the distributor is going out and needs to be replaced, it happens all the time on that car.

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

Electrical problem
1990 Honda Accord 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 80,000 miles

I want to know why my engine wont run i have checked the fuel the grounds replaced the distributer about a year ago and i am still having touble geting spark to my engine i have also had to replace the CPU and wiring harness the dam thing should run please help if u can

Hi rafe lovato,

Does the Check Engine Lamp comes on brightly for 2 seconds when ignition is turned to ON?

Is power supply present at distributor Black/Yellow wire at ignition switch on and while cranking?

If yes to both questions above, then the distributor is faulty, either the ignition coil or ICM.

Engine Mechanical problem
1990 Honda Accord 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Ok heres the problem,car starts and run goes down the road get to destination turn the car off try to restart it does start sit for just a minute try resart does not start just spin over,spray stating fluid in throttle body its starts and run.Previous owner says it would stalll while driving but if he would let it sit for while it starts back everytime says never left him stranded because always would restart.What do you think the problem is?

Hi sdragracer, Symptoms indicates fuel supply is the fault. I would suggest checking the PGM-FI main relay, known to cause such symptoms. Remove the relay and resolder the joints and it should be good again.

Engine Mechanical problem
1990 Honda Accord 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 28486 miles

engine will start if the check engine light goes off when starting the car. If the check engine light stay on the engine will turn over normal but won't start. Wait a few minute and try and it may start right up and run properly. May start up two or three time and them back to check engine staying on and not start. Wait awhile and start up.

Have you tried checking out the code is? With the key on RUNII the light on the ECU should flash a code at you. This will help reveal what the problem is.

If there is no code stored, try testing for fuel and spark when the vehicle doesn't start, then get back to me.

Change fuel pump car started and shut down how do you know if the coil is bad.

Thank for your time.

Hi there,

There is a set procedure for testing coils with a multi meter, but if you have a good spark at crank thats a good sign. I would do a scan as well to check for any set fault codes, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)

car not starting from time to time, no obvious reason,
if left for an hour or a day or two it starts

Hi maroon7,

When it does not start, you need to test and find out what is missing, fuel or ignition sparks.

Click the " First Things To Check " link at bottom of post to get an idea what to look for.

If ti si fuel that is not present, the most likely cause would be an intermittently failing PGM-FI main relay. Resoldering the circuit board works.

1990 Honda Accord 4 cyl Automatic

We drove the car into a street that was flooded and the car got wet inside now the car won't start. what could be the problem? Besides it being wet...What could not be functioning right?

Does it crank or not crank?

If it cranks, check for moisture build-up inside the distributor cap.

If it doesn't crank, ensure that all the starter and ground wires are still intact.

The car will not start. It is is turning over but will not start. The spark plugs, wire and rotor cap and ignition coil has been replaced, and it still will not start.

Hi mfbunnie2007,

Check the following link to see if it is of any help.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/car_cranks_but_wont_start.htm

My Alternator Caught Fire today while I was at a drive thru. I didn't notice it at first, then I saw smoke coming out from under the hood and the car quit. The alternator was really on fire, but I managed to extinguish it by unhooking both terminals on the battery and flapping at it with my hat. I unhooked the alternator and it wouldn't start, so I knew that replacing it probably wouldn't fix the problem since the battery was fully charged and the car should have started, but I put an new alternator on anyway. There is no visible damage to any components or wiring,not even at the alternator connectors or wires, all body grounds are good. My headlights and all electrical features work. Engine cranks but I am not getting spark. Checked timing belt rotation via the distributor rotor and that checks out fine. Everything visible looks fine. The red light on the ecu is not lit up or blinking with ignition in on position. All of the fuses in the box under the hood including ignition fuse is good. What is wrong here?

Look at the tachometer in the dash while you are cranking the engine. If the needle doesn't jump slightly and it just lays at the stop, replace the igniter(inside of the distributor).

I am interested to know if the reply about the tach also applies to other vehicles, or just that model accord. I actually found out I made a mistake by looking at a wiring diagram on Autozone that there is a second fuse panel that I didn't find before ( I just got the car). I found a blown fuse to the ecu replaced it, and it has run fine. Thanks for your answer and if you could answer my question about why that would make the tach move and whether that goes for other vehicles I would be interested to know for future reference.

Generally for most cars the above are true as the tachometer is activated by signals from the ICM and coil but sometimes if the cranking speed in not fast enough, it might not register.

You need to check for power supply to the distributor and test the coils condition before coming to the above mentioned test.

This car starts, but then immediately shuts down within a 2-3 seconds. As background info, the engine light is on and was reported as being due to the speed control sensor. The car ran ok for many weeks in that condition. Can you make any recommendations as what may be at fault?

Hi Errington,

I suspect the main relay is not working well. After starting and stalling, it is difficult to restart? Wait and you can start again later?