Crank no start and very sluggish on crank?

Tiny
DB123
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,100 MILES
I've changed the battery, alternator, put a new radiator, new Serpentine belt, there no codes no check engine light, all fuses and relays are good, fuel pump is good have fuel going to injectors, and even with jumper cables car barely turns over to crank, about every third or fourth revolution it wants to try and crank but never does. I do not know what else to do.


P.S. Spark plugs and coil packs are good and getting fire.
Monday, April 14th, 2025 AT 3:57 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Is it possible for you to record it cranking and upload it for us to hear? Also, has the starter motor been checked to make sure it isn't failing?

If you have fuel and an ignition spark, the engine should run. However, things can prevent it from starting, such as low or excessive fuel pressure, low engine compression, a plugged exhaust system, and ignition/engine timing.

On the other hand, if it sounds sluggish when cranking, that leads me to believe it has something to do with the starter circuit.

If you remove a spark plug, are they wet? If not, try starting fluid to see if it makes a difference. We may have an injector issue, and fuel isn't entering the combustion chamber.

Do me a favor. Each fuel injector will have two wires. One of them at each injector is yellow with a black tracer. That is the power supply. With the key in the run position, confirm they are getting power. The other wire at each is a different color. The PCM provides a ground path via that wire to complete the circuit. If you do have power, confirm there is a signal ground while cranking.

I attached a schematic of the injectors below as a reference. I circled the power supply wires to each.

Let me know what you find. Also, if you could upload a video of it cranking for us to hear, it may be helpful. You could have a timing issue.

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
DB123
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  • 28 POSTS
It has a cracked engine block, they drove it for about 30 minutes without any coolant in it no compression at all, starter was changed also forgot to mention.
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 AT 2:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
So the engine does not have any compression? it sounds like the engine is no good. Please go over this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, April 19th, 2025 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
DB123
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
None at all hoping it could be a head gasket but I don't think so warped cylinder head maybe or complete block is shot.
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 AT 3:35 AM
Tiny
DB123
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  • 28 POSTS
Yes per the video I did do the exact same test that was performed only mine isn't cranking fast jus sluggish enough to barely turn the pulleys and belt.
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 AT 3:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It sounds like the battery might be bad, I would take it into the auto parts store for testing. Can you upload a short video of the engine cranking so I can see?
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
DB123
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Way more than that, I have a shop I mechanic out of, changed the battery, alternator, starter, belt, radiator, flush and fill with the coolant, changed oil, tested all fuses, relays and cleaned ground wires, diagnostic scan tool showed no codes and all live data readings were good. But finally after 5 or 10 trys cranking it you could see the oil on the dipstick changing to a more milky look and the radiator was shooting coolant with puffs of gas that smelled like smoke outta the radiator fill neck, bad head gasket I'm hoping or worse hope not.
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, that doesn't sound good.

This guide can help confirm the blown head gasket:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

and this guide as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/recognizing-the-symptoms-understanding-a-blown-head-gasket-in-your-vehicle

These will help us see if the engine needs repairs.
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Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
DB123
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
In the process of taking the head off now would have been easier to pull the entire motor out almost got to dismantle it all anyway just to get the cylinder head off.
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Friday, April 25th, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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I don't think so, most mechanics leave the engine in the car when doing a head gasket. Can you upload images of the problem you are having?
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Sunday, April 27th, 2025 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
DB123
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
I've got it out, yes I usually leave it in also it's just a pain to get it out which the head looks good, the timing chain cover and the timing chain guide closest to the front of the car were broke and sheared the bearings on the crank, so got to pull motor anyway, that's what I told the customer at the beginning.
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Monday, April 28th, 2025 AT 3:26 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Nice work, sometimes the engine can come apart when they have high miles and something goes wrong, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Monday, April 28th, 2025 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
DB123
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  • 28 POSTS
Thanks you sir, you guys are the best needs some 2 car pros merch to rep in my shop for you guys! Thanks again.
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Monday, April 28th, 2025 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
You are welcome, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 AT 10:13 AM

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