[jedk]

My 98 Honda Accord DX died on the freeway last week, and won't restart. Here's the story:

- Had been starting rough on and off for about a week prior. May be important to note that weather was very damp -- tons of rain for a week straight. This is when my problem started.

- Brand new battery, distributor cap, and spark plugs.

- fuses are fine. Spark plug wires are fine.

- Engine had no spark, so we tested and replaced ignition coil. Still no spark

- finally tried replacing the ICM.

- Engine now has spark, but still will not start. It does crank over.

- There's fuel at the pressure regulator, under pressure.


That's where we're at right now. Any suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[CaptainRich]

My 98 Honda Accord DX died on the freeway last week, and won't restart. Here's the story:

- Had been starting rough on and off for about a week prior. May be important to note that weather was very damp -- tons of rain for a week straight. This is when my problem started.

- Brand new battery, distributor cap, and spark plugs.

- fuses are fine. spark plug wires are fine.

- Engine had no spark, so we tested and replaced ignition coil. still no spark

- finally tried replacing the ICM.

- Engine now has spark, but still will not start. it does crank over.

- There's fuel at the pressure regulator, under pressure.


That's where we're at right now. Any suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you've been cranking for an extended period, you may have allowed unburned fuel into the cylinders and the plugs are now fouled.
Prop open the throttle and remove the plugs to dry. Let the engine air out. Once the excess fuel has been allowed to evaporate, put it all back together and attempt restart.

Let us know how this goes.

[jedk]

Great suggestion. We tried this out, and got a rumble out of it -- better than before, of course.

Next steps taken:

- Removed and cleaned fuel injectors, still no start.

- Checked plugs again -- #4 spark plug is dry, #2 and #3 dark/burnt, #1 normal and wet with gas. Could it be a fuel regulating problem? Shorted fuel injector wires?

Thanks again!

[CaptainRich]

Great suggestion. We tried this out, and got a rumble out of it -- better than before, of course.

Next steps taken:

- Removed and cleaned fuel injectors, still no start.

- Checked plugs again -- #4 spark plug is dry, #2 and #3 dark/burnt, #1 normal and wet with gas. Could it be a fuel regulating problem? Shorted fuel injector wires?

Thanks again!

Be sure you have spark at each plug, too.

To properly clean the fuel injectors, you'd need specialized tools to run professional grade cleaner through the nozzles at a slow rate. The stuff that goes into the tank isn't adequate. The only thing a "fix-in-a-bottle" will do is clean your wallet.

What you're describing can be attributed to leaky/drizzling injectors. You should try to find a shop that can perform this for you. Yes, it'll cost you, but when done properly this will clean the nozzles to allow proper atomization of the fuel, thus allowing the spray that is desired.
Good luck and let us know!

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Run through the steps outlined in sections A and B below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...das-46563.html

[jedk]

Almost forgot to update...

Fuel injectors were just fine. The fuel pump need replacing. And in the midst of all our work, the spark plug order got mixed up -- thus the car wouldn't start again after all the other work was done. :o

But -- all is well. Runs like brand new again. Thanks to all for the help!