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    jac1980's Avatar
    jac1980 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 25, 2009, 03:34 PM
    Car won't start after washing engine
    Help! My husband washed the engine of our 1997 Honda Civic. Now the engine will not start. It sounds like it is going to start up but doesn't. We purchased some wire dry and sprayed on the plug wires, distributor, etc, but it still doesn't start. What else should we do?
    nike 1's Avatar
    nike 1 Posts: 167, Reputation: 16
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    #2

    Jan 25, 2009, 03:38 PM
    It could be a case of a cracked distributer cap. The crack can be so slight you wouldn't see it. Or any vapor getting up into the cap can cause this too.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #3

    Jan 25, 2009, 04:27 PM

    Washing the engine of a modern-day car is asking for trouble, since you run the risk of shorting out the ECM (computer), alternator, or other sensors.

    . Raise the hood and allow everything to dry.

    . Remove the distributor cap and allow it to dry. Spray the inside of the cap with WD-40 and wipe it out with a soft cloth.

    . Test all underhood and underdash fuses with a test light or multimeter:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post252145

    . Perform tests in Sections A and B below, if the engine does not start:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...les-46563.html
    jac1980's Avatar
    jac1980 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Feb 12, 2009, 07:44 PM
    Follow up to my question. Here's what we did and what finally fixed it.

    1. dried engine out
    2. replaced distributor cap, plugs, and wires
    3. replaced ignition control module
    4. switched back to old ignition contol module
    5. replaced ignition coil

    Ignition Coil fixed it!!
    kitch428's Avatar
    kitch428 Posts: 1,440, Reputation: 152
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    #5

    Feb 12, 2009, 08:48 PM

    Jac, thanks for the follow up! Very rare around here.
    civic95newyork's Avatar
    civic95newyork Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 29, 2010, 02:41 PM
    I washed my 95 Honda civic's engine as well, the car turned on for about 5 sec. then it died and wouldn't turn on again. I replaced the Ignition Coil as suggested by jac1980 and it works again, thanks.
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