Car wont start

Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I turned on my honda and added antifreeze I dont know why my smartass pulled a spark plug wire and I put it back it keep running then it died out of now where. I tried turning it on and it didnt start. It turns over but no start. Someone told me its a bad fuel pump? Its not getting gas. I dont know how it would be those things if I drove it fine last night. Im assuming it has to do with me pulling the plug.
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 5:25 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
I did some research and it said that if I run my engine and I pull a spark plug I can blow the coils inside the distributer? Is this the solution?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
It is possible and makes more sense than the pump. I would have it checked first to verify. When you crank it, does it spark at the plug?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Ok the check if it sparks can I take the plug out with the spark plug then crank it? Someone had toold me to ground then? How would you do that? How would you suggest for the following procedures
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Remove the wire and put a screw driver in the wire and hold it close to the valve cover and have someone crank the motor

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Which wire the one that leads to the distributor
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Any of the spark plug wires would do.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Thank god! You can to my question KHLow2008! Ok so ima unplug the wire from the distributor and place it near the valve cover and crank it? Do it for each one and if one doesnt crank than its my wiress? I dont get why it would be them but someone else had told me that it was my ignition coil?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When testing for sparks, the best is to get get a spark plug tester. The next best is to get a spark plug and plug it into the plug wire and hold it to any part of the engine. DO NOT attempt to the ground it at the battery negative termnals.

Get a helper to crank the engine and note if there are sparks. It should be bright instead of dull orange.

If you don't get any sparks, it most probably is the ignition coil.

What you did does not affect a good ignition coil but it would kill a failing one.

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

Whatever test you have done so far, let me know the complete details the above link explains how to go about.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 4:18 AM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
I tried it like ASEMaster6371 and I got no spark from the plugs so I took out the distri. Coil and replaced it. Turns on but chokes a little still when turning it on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Did you check the ignition timing?
Are the wires installed according to the firing order?
Are you able to rev up the engine?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
How would I check that? And yes I rev it up and goes fine from then but it does this since I changed the distrib. Coil
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Yes wires correspond to firing order
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:30 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You need a timing light to do that. Ig nition has to be within a certain range and removal/installation of the distributor would affect the ignition timing.
Check the holding bolts. Get them back to as original position as possible and retest. If the idling is too low, check the throttle body and clean if necessary.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
HONDADX
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
What holding bolts? To the distrib?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Yes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 9:23 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have identified the top problems that are easily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE