I have a 94 Civic LX 1.5L 16V with about 150k miles. I let it sit in my driveway while I was out of town for almost 3 weeks. I came back to start and no luck. It just cranks and cranks with the belts making a lot of squeal. I smell gas at the tail pipe, and loosened the bolt on the outlet side of the fuel filter and gas sprayed out. I checked for spark and it seems really weak. Yellow-Orange spark, definitely doesn't seem as hot as it should. I checked the ICM according to Haynes, and all connections came back in spec. I checked the coil, and the secondary resistance was 1.2 ohms (good range 0.6 - 0.8?). Bought a new coil from Advanced and it checks out exactly the same. I put on new cap/rotor/wires/plugs about 2000 miles ago. Resistance in wires checks out too. The main relay appears good, 3 clicks. I can hear the fuel pump prime and the ECU light turns on/off with the key on. The cam is rotating when it cranks, and pulled the valve cover off for a quick check of the timing belt, but it seems good too.

I can't figure this one out. I'm two days into this, and hoofing it. Does anybody have some suggestions that I haven't tried yet? Everything was fine before I left, no problems at anytime starting all summer long. Thank you!

Did you recharge the battery? Leaving it sit will drain the battery. That could also explain the weak spark: while cranking, there just isn't enough left to fire the coil properly. The belt squeal: probably just stiff. Address the low battery first, then see if some of the other concerns aren't gone.

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Did you recharge the battery? Leaving it sit will drain the battery. That could also explain the weak spark: while cranking, there just isn't enough left to fire the coil properly. The belt squeal: probably just stiff. Address the low battery first, then see if some of the other concernsaren't gone.

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Yes, I recharged it, I even tried jump starting with my neighbor's pickup truck.

With all that cranking, you may have fouled the plugs. Pull all of them and let the engine remain open to air out. Retry later.

Also, where are you checking for spark? At the plugs themselves, I hope...

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

With all that cranking, you may have fouled the plugs. Pull all of them and let the engine remain open to air out. Retry later.

Also, where are you checking for spark? At the plugs themselves, I hope...

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I will try letting the enginer air out tonight. I pulled plugs and checked by holding it to ground with pliers. I did this for all plugs, and gave them a once over with a torch to burn off any excess fuel on them.

Replace the ICM, if it has 120,000 miles on it or it's 10 years old. They are a problematic component and most bench tests fail to test how they perform hot and under load. The sensors inside your distributor may be failing; therefore, I would install a new Honda distributor housing. If you have never replaced your distributor, you are on borrowed time. The bearing usually fails by now and takes out the sensors. Mark your old distributor and mounting bracket, prior to removal.

About a month ago, my 92 Civic sat for over 2 weeks while I was on vacation. Had the same symptoms when I got back... no start, but turns, and horrid belt squeal. Turned out to be a frozen alternator. Replaced alternator and all was well. Perhaps it was just the pulley, but I replaced the whole thing.

Hope you get it running soon... it's a frustrating thing to come home to.

KJ

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Originally Posted by hossbigs

About a month ago, my 92 Civic sat for over 2 weeks while I was on vacation. Had the same symptoms when I got back....no start, but turns, and horrid belt squeal. Turned out to be a frozen alternator. Replaced alternator and all was well. Perhaps it was just the pulley, but I replaced the whole thing.

Hope you get it running soon....it's a frustrating thing to come home to.

KJ

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So I got home last night and pulled off the belt, and you are right. My alternator pully was looking polished on the side where I've been pulling the belt over it. It's not moving at all. Not sure if there is anything I can do to un-freeze it yet, but I think this is probably most of my problem. Thanks.

Oh, you... that's bad. Try wrapping a rag or towel around the pulley so you don't damage the contact surface and grab it with large plyers.

Work it, baby, work it!

The dang thing may free up after some effort, or it may actually need replaced.