Starting problem.

[Fleetw00d]

The previous owner of the EX sedan I just bought replaced the battery and alternator chasing a slow start issue (first turn over was very slow, then it picked up). When I started the engine after washing the bay, I saw steam coming off the ground wire from the valve cover to the body. Had 14+ volts from alternator to ground, but only 12 at the battery. Problem was the main ground cable to the transmission housing. There was so much rust between the cable and transmission , and the bolt was stripped, that starting current was trying to go through any other ground path and heating the wires. Wire brushing the cable contact surfaces, a little dielectric grease, and a slightly larger self tapping screw yielded instant starter response again. Make sure your negative cable is not badly corroeded inside the sheath as well.

[HenRoc]

It ended up being the ground cable. Luckily I had purchased a brand new cable from Honda to replace the old one.

Problem solved.

[MortsAccord]

It ended up being the ground cable. Luckily I had purchased a brand new cable from Honda to replace the old one.

Problem solved.

How much was that? Lol just solder all grounds no more problems. Id love to go through my car and solder every connection one day.

[i-07]

but there is another issue

[HenRoc]

Alright..it turns out it was the bad ground wire. But now I'm faced with another problem that is seemingly just driving me more and more to just turn around and sell this car.

Now the fuel pump won't prime.

I've tested a known good Main Relay and it worked fine on another friends car.

My issue is:

- When I turn the car on to START you can't even hear the fuel pump switch on.

- It would seemingly crank but it won't start

- I can't tell if I'm getting spark or not because it's only me doing the cranking
I checked earlier and I wasn't even getting a spark so I switched out for a spare dizzy that I had in my apt. Still does the same exact problem.

- I jumped the harness (5 and 7 at the Main Relay terminal) and the pump turns right on

I've checked all my grounds and I even read the actual Honda manual over and over to figure it out..but I'm running out of ideas.

Has anyone else had this problem??

[MortsAccord]

Oh man. Bad grounds can cause a fuckin lot of electrical problems. When a good access to ground is unavailable, electricity has a rude way of getting to ground through other components on occasion. This can cause damage to other components as you may imagine.

I've seen this before in a thread but I don't remember the original problem or how they fixed it. I can only tell you to get a volt meter and start chasing your electrical issue down.

[HenRoc]

Thanks Mort

So far I have 12 volts in the following areas:

- Thermostat ground
- Battery
- Main Relay

Where I don't have 12 volts

- Fuel pump
According to the repair manual (no pun intended I swear) if I don't have 12 volts leading to that spot. I have to check the main relay and wire harness.

Last I checked it..it was reading 6 volts...where it's supposed to be at 12.

:edit:

But if you jump the harness at the main relay, the fuel pump actually turns on. Dammit I'm stumped.

[dj_ender]

Thanks Mort

So far I have 12 volts in the following areas:

- Thermostat ground
- Battery
- Main Relay

Where I don't have 12 volts

- Fuel pump
According to the repair manual (no pun intended I swear) if I don't have 12 volts leading to that spot. I have to check the main relay and wire harness.

Last I checked it..it was reading 6 volts...where it's supposed to be at 12.

:edit:

But if you jump the harness at the main relay, the fuel pump actually turns on. Dammit I'm stumped.

Wait....huh? Your getting 12v thru the ECU ground? Like your hooking the black clip to a ground and touching the red to the ECU ground and getting a 12v reading?

[HenRoc]

Wait....huh? Your getting 12v thru the ECU ground? Like your hooking the black clip to a ground and touching the red to the ECU ground and getting a 12v reading?

Multimeter lead one to the positive on the batt and one to that ground.

[oyajicool]

I would check fuse #2 under dash if pump is not coming on. But it comes on with jumping pins #5 and #7 at main relay.

[HenRoc]

It runs now. I thought it was burned out ecus but now I think it was flooded.