starting issue

[Honda_Lady]

I tried searching and could only find threads that mentioned cars with a 5 speed. I have an automatic.

Today about 12:30pm I went out to go run errands and my car wouldn't start. I had a slight problem with it starting once before about a week ago but it did end up starting that time. All it would do is keep turning but wouldn't "catch." I could hear the fuel pump running. the battery is only about 6 months old but I checked it anyway. I tried starting it in neutral to see if it was the neutral safety switch, I checked fuses. I tried to check spark unplugging a spark plug and putting a screwdriver in the end to see if I saw any spark and I didn't see any spark. The plugs are new, the distributor is relatively new. I don't know what else to check and what else could keep it from starting....

Any advice would be great. Thank you guys in advance.

[Raf99]

I tried searching and could only find threads that mentioned cars with a 5 speed. I have an automatic.

Today about 12:30pm I went out to go run errands and my car wouldn't start. I had a slight problem with it starting once before about a week ago but it did end up starting that time. All it would do is keep turning but wouldn't "catch." I could hear the fuel pump running. the battery is only about 6 months old but I checked it anyway. I tried starting it in neutral to see if it was the neutral safety switch, I checked fuses. I tried to check spark unplugging a spark plug and putting a screwdriver in the end to see if I saw any spark and I didn't see any spark. The plugs are new, the distributor is relatively new. I don't know what else to check and what else could keep it from starting....

Any advice would be great. Thank you guys in advance.

I had this issue recently and it was the ignitor. My issue was:

- fuel pump worked, had voltage and could hear it turning on
- no sparks to the plugs even with a new distributor
- no check engine light
- no other issues
- main relay looked good
- quit cold turnkey when it died

So your issue is going to be the ignitor most likely. There is no way to test it but to try another ignitor. This could also be your main relay, be sure to check that too. And make sure the engine is getting fuel. Check your manual on how todo these things.

[Honda_Lady]

Thank you. I do have a code 15 when I checked it. Within the last 2 years I have replaced the distributor with a new ignitor, I have never replaced the main relay, could that cause an issue?

[Honda_Lady]

so that is what it was but damn who ever built that remanned distributor put those screws in too tight to where I was starting to strip that shit out!! then my dumb ass forgot to put the damn rotor back in..........but once it was back together properly.....it started right up.

[SilverShadow]

So it was the ignitor? Happy for you Jessica

[Raf99]

so that is what it was but damn who ever built that remanned distributor put those screws in too tight to where I was starting to strip that shit out!! then my dumb ass forgot to put the damn rotor back in..........but once it was back together properly.....it started right up.

[Honda_Lady]

well that was only a temporary fix it seems. today I went out again and it wouldn't start, I heard something from behind the dash like it was the Main Relay but when I checked to see if fuel was getting to the fuel rail, there was fuel when I loosened a fuel line. I did finally get it started and I don't want to keep throwing parts at it because I can't afford that.

[Raf99]

well that was only a temporary fix it seems. today I went out again and it wouldn't start, I heard something from behind the dash like it was the Main Relay but when I checked to see if fuel was getting to the fuel rail, there was fuel when I loosened a fuel line. I did finally get it started and I don't want to keep throwing parts at it because I can't afford that.

Sounds like the ignitor again. Main relay is down by your feet, not really behind the dash. And as you mentioned since the fuel pump is working = main relay working.

I know when my ignitor went there were some periods where the car wouldn't start or cut out while running, then came back to life.

And you also didn't tell us what type of no start this was (won't turn over, won't do anything, won't stay running, etc)

[Honda_Lady]

it turns and tries to start but doesn't. The engine just keeps turning but won't finish turning over. so you think I got a defective ignitor? I did take out the main relay and it is higher then I expected it to be. Since I knew where it was now, it sounded like it was very close to where the Main relay was. I had never heard it click before.

[Jking72]

When I was troubleshooting my buddies car, it sounds like you guys had the same problem (even the AT) I resoldered the main Relay because it had a couple cracked terminals... So I started swapping parts from my car to get it to start and it was the Ignitor that finally started it.

[Honda_Lady]

Thanks JKing, I guess I will be taking my receipt and ignitor back for an exchange since I guess I got a defective one.

[Stoner51]

This happened to me about 2 months ago. I did a tune up. Plugs rotor cap and ignitor(since I had a 25% off coupon from advance). Started up fine ran great. Two weeks later, go to start nothing. WTF. So I put the old ignitor back in and bam it started.

steve

[Honda_Lady]

Thank you Stoner51, I did spark plugs a couple months ago but it has been a while since I did cap and rotor.

I am part of a Autism/Asperger's page and a couple guys there work on their own cars though they don't have Honda's.

That sounds like a starter motor solenoid to engage the teeth. There a means to pull or push the gear to engage it with the fly wheel

One guy says it could be the solenoid, how likely is that. the starter in there is a junkyard starter that I got a few months ago.

Is the motor turning over slowly or just a click. I worked part time at a garage and do myown maintanance. It sounds as if voltage related, it could also be a solonoid

it is not turning slowly, it is turning as it usually would just not catching.

Thank you all for the information that you have given me so far and Thank you in advance for any more information that you can give to me until I figure this out.

[Stoner51]

I have had this happen with my car recently. It was the ignitor. If you have the receipt I would take it back and tell them it failed they will replace it. If that fixes it great. If not you aren't out any money.
When my starter went, All I got was a turn the key and click, turn the key and click.
My bet is if its turning over it is either fuel or spark.

steve

[reklipz]

it is not turning slowly, it is turning as it usually would just not catching..

Can you clarify what you mean by "catching?" You mean the engine just simply isn't starting, yeah? In that case, I would say the starter is not the culprit: if it turns the engine over when you try to start just like it did before, seems fine.

I think you're on point with the igniter and ignition system. I do want to mention, though, that the main relay actually contains two relays: one for the fuel pump, and one for the ECU. It's possible that the fuel pump will work while the ECU won't. I'm not certain that that would cause ignition issues (e.g. cutting power to the distributor/igniter), but it will cause your injectors to not work, as they're controlled by the ECU. Looking at the electrical diagram (sections C11 and D11), makes me think that the igniter might be ECU controlled as well.