I have a 1992 Honda Civic Si, 252,000 miles, runs great, but occasionally I have to hit under the dashboard near the fuse box in order to get the car to start, it has been starting fine without the hit for a while now, but yesterday it just wouldn't start, and now that plastic panel is broken so the hitting isn't hitting the same thing.

It has almost started a couple times, I am definitely getting fuel because it is rich coming out of the exhaust. It is cranking just fine.

I just cleaned the distributor cap, it didn't help.

The car runs just fine when it is running, never a check engine code, never stalls after running.

Occasionally it does idle high and jumpy say 1100-1300rpm.

Is there something specific under the dash there that would be bad, I took the panel off and looked at the wires and knocked things around, but nothing still.

Thanks,

Kevin

Run through the tests, outlined in Sections A and B, below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563.html

Does the CEL come on and go off? If it doesn't, be sure to run the K-Test.

Run through the tests, outlined in Sections A and B, below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563.html

Does the CEL come on and go off? If it doesn't, be sure to run the K-Test.

I ran all the tests in A and B.

The check engine light goes on an off, the fuel pump runs for 2seconds. Seems to build pressure, I replaced the fuel filter, there is plenty of fuel at the other end of the rail.

The coil checked out, there was spark. I don't have a fancy tester so I don't know if it was hot enough.

It will kick over for a second occasionally, but will not really kick over and hasn't run for more than 1.5seconds or so.

Any more ideas? I ran the K-Test as well, 5.2volts.

Thanks,

Kevin

Test/replace the Ignition Control Module. AutoZone will test ICMs for free.

My AutoZone said they couldn't test the ICM. I tested the thing according to the Haynes Manual and it checked out okay. That could be the problem even when I am getting spark? I was under the impression that if I had spark then ignition stuff probably was out, not that I have any idea why the thing isn't running at this point...

Call around and find another auto parts store that can check the ICM. O'Reilly Auto Parts should be able to test it for you. Failing ICMs can fire at the wrong time, even though they do fire. You need to rule out the ICM and coil as sources of the problem.

Did you check all under-dash fuses with a multimeter?

The ICM checked out fine at Autozone, as did the coil.
I am getting a solid spark.
The timing seems to be correct.
The exhaust smells like fuel.