Car cranks over but won't start

Tiny
ZEPEDA
  • MEMBER
  • HONDA ACCORD
1988 honda accord, 4 cylinders with 150,000 miles. One of the sparks plugs I replaced pop off the heads and the car stop running after a few miles. I rethreaded the sparkplug hole and tried to start the car but it only cranks over. I check the fuses and the spark plugs have a spark. Any ideas?
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 AT 2:57 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
May seem like a crazy idea but make sure the plug wires are in the right firing order. Did you pull the wires off the distributor?
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
ZEPEDA
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Yes, I did check the firing order and they are correct. I think the spark plug ground and may have damaged an electrical ignition component or relay. What do you think?
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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Is the spark a yellow and not a blue arc? Failed electrical components such as the crankshaft sensor will allow the plugs to spark but the timing is so far off that the plugs have nothing to ignite because the fuel mixture was sucked out with the exhaust stroke.
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Wednesday, June 21st, 2006 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
ZEPEDA
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  • 9 POSTS
Yes, the spark does appear to be yellowish. Where would I locate the crankshaft sensor? Is there a way to test it or should I go ahead and install a new one.
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Wednesday, June 21st, 2006 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
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Have you gotten a check engine light to come on?
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Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
ZEPEDA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
No. I went ahead and replaced the ignition coil, sparkplug wires, and the car cranks over but still won't start. I did notice an odd sound inside the block something like a winding sound, maybe. I can't figure out sound. I also tried using starting fluid on the carburator to see if it was a fuel issue. Still nothing. If I an not mistaken the car should have continued to run on three valves when the sparkplug pop out. I don't understand?
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Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
The crankshaft position sensor should kick on a check engine light. The EFI relay. That is what a friend name losone might tell you and he is a wise mechanic.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2006 AT 10:17 PM

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