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Sue W · Sep 26, 2009, 11:44 PM

Hi I hope you can help me. I bought my CRV new and it has been an excellent car. A couple of weeks ago I went somewhere and when I was done I got in & little old Betsy wouldn't start, It wanted to but it was like there was no spark. Jumped it, didn't help. Battery seemed to be OK.
Friend -mechanic thought it was distributor. He replaced that, tried to start it & it did the same thing-wants to put no spark. So he says "it needs a jump" the battery is low. Jumped it and it started!
Has been fine until today. I returned to my CRV, same thing, wants to start. I know my battery is old, probably just a jump. Nope, I'm already out $400. What else could it be ?

Thank you Sue

TxGreaseMonkey · Sep 27, 2009, 05:37 AM

Replace the old battery and clean the battery cables with a battery terminal brush or abrasive cloth. You don't want to jump a modern-day car--there's too much risk that a voltage spike will damage the ECM (computer), alternator, or sensors. It has happened to a number of people on this site and the damage was extensive.

Hopefully, your mechanic installed a genuine Honda distributor. We have had many problems with new aftermarket distributors not working in Hondas. Did the distributor come with a new Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil?

Your problem definitely sounds distributor-related. I would've recommended replacing the ICM and coil in your original Honda distributor housing:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896

If the problem persisted, then I would have recommended installing a genuine Honda distributor housing and using the ICM and coil that you just bought.

Sue W · Sep 27, 2009, 11:22 AM

Dear TXGreasemonkey, thanks for responding, the 4 parts I bought originally(they weren't Honda)I think one was a module & one was a coil. Then, he talked to his co-workers & they told him you could buy it all in one piece, so he got that & put it in. he's my friends husband & I didn't even ask him for the receipt... I just got hold of him & he's coming over to get me. I'm going to buy a new battery & try that. I'll let you know what happened.

Sue W · Sep 27, 2009, 11:44 AM

Dear TX Greasemonkey, he just called me back & said since the car wouldn't jump & it still had power it wouldn't help to get a new battery. Since its Sunday he says he can't help me today. He says the distributor he put in may have been defective so he'll get another one tomorrow & replace it. And no it was not a Honda part. He says if we get the Honda part it will cost me a lot more then the 198.00 I paid for the one he put in.

What do you think?? Help Sue

TxGreaseMonkey · Sep 27, 2009, 12:53 PM

Before you do anything else, turn the ignition switch to ON (Position II) and tell me if the Check Engine Light comes on for 2 seconds and then goes out. If it does, and you can hear the fuel pump run during that 2 second interval, the odds are extremely high the problem is with the distributor. If you still have your original Honda distributor, have your friend install an aftermarket ICM and coil in it. That takes care of the problem in most cases. Otherwise, for reliability, I would only use a new genuine Honda distributor housing and save money by installing an aftermarket Ignition Control Module and coil. Aftermarket distributors for Hondas will likely let you down at an inopportune time in the future. Shop online for a deal on a genuine Honda distributor, if you must--you'll be glad you did.

Sue W · Sep 27, 2009, 02:05 PM

Thanks for your help. I had to leave my car in the parking lot where it wouldn't start. So he's picking me up after he gets off work tomorrow to replace the part. He says the part already has the coil & that other thing in it. He also said he threw away the original Honda distributor. I do know for sure that the CEL went off after 2 seconds when I put the key in yesterday but I don't think I've ever heard the fuel pump before. If I have I just didn't know what it was. I wish you were here to fix it for me!! Thank you again, Sue

TxGreaseMonkey · Sep 27, 2009, 02:18 PM

If the CEL stays on, there will not be any spark from the distributor nor will the fuel pump run. It's imperative that the CEL goes out after 2 seconds or something else is wrong. I specialize in these type of problems with Hondas.

Remember, don't let him jump the car--it's asking for BIG trouble. Remove and fully charge the battery, which most auto parts stores will do for free, or replace it. This shouldn't be a big deal to get your CRV running again.

Sue W · Sep 27, 2009, 02:38 PM

OK I understand, thank you again & I will let you know what happens tomorrow. Sue W

TxGreaseMonkey · Sep 27, 2009, 02:41 PM

Great.

Sue W · Sep 29, 2009, 04:25 AM

Dear TX Greasemonkey,

My friend thought he had to replace the distributor he put in because it must be defective. (how often does that happen.. but he says it happens all the time.) Well, I guess he was right because my car started right up. I told him what you said about the CEL on for 2 seconds & listening for the fuel pump & he said there was no way you could hear the fuel pump, my husband said the same thing. Well, when I got home I turned it off then I turned the key to the position you said & sure enough it did exactly what you said & I DID hear the fuel pump. Thanks ever so much for your help. Sue W.

TxGreaseMonkey · Sep 29, 2009, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the update and glad to see you got your car running. Your experience, and what I've observed, is that at least half of all new aftermarket distributors for Hondas fail out of the box. Of those that initially work, many will die prematurely. Distributors are a weak link on Hondas.

Here are some recommended maintenance items to help your CRV last a long time:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post219991