Honda Car Forum

#1 (**permalink**) 28 Jan 2004, 09:00 pm

'88 Civic DX died at a redlight last night, and wouldn't start. Gas was
low, but don't think the thing ran out of gas.

Pulled it back home today, it is getting both fuel and spark, but still
won't start. No engine codes are present.

Hope this rings a bell with someone who can help. Last trouble I had was
the TDC sensor go bad, which I diagnosed and fixed usng the ECU problem
code.

Thanks!

#2 (**permalink**) 29 Jan 2004, 12:35 am

Shotgun wrote:
>
> '88 Civic DX died at a redlight last night, and wouldn't start. Gas was
> low, but don't think the thing ran out of gas.
>
> Pulled it back home today, it is getting both fuel and spark, but still
> won't start. No engine codes are present.
>
> Hope this rings a bell with someone who can help. Last trouble I had was
> the TDC sensor go bad, which I diagnosed and fixed usng the ECU problem
> code.
>
> Thanks!

==================

Shotgun,

Slip the distributor cap off to be sure the rotor is turning (although
you said it has spark). If that's OK, I'd try priming it with some
starting fluid (ether) to see if it won't fire up. Then you'll know if
your fuel line or carb is iced too much to keep it running.

All I can think of . . . it's warmed up to -30C here tonight. ;-(

'Curly'

==================

#3 (**permalink**) 29 Jan 2004, 08:09 am

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:40189B89.BF5A57F4@interbaun.com...
> Shotgun wrote:
> >
> > '88 Civic DX died at a redlight last night, and wouldn't start. Gas was
> > low, but don't think the thing ran out of gas.
> >
> > Pulled it back home today, it is getting both fuel and spark, but still
> > won't start. No engine codes are present.
> >
> > Hope this rings a bell with someone who can help. Last trouble I had
was
> > the TDC sensor go bad, which I diagnosed and fixed usng the ECU problem
> > code.
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> ==================
>
> Shotgun,
>
> Slip the distributor cap off to be sure the rotor is turning (although
> you said it has spark). If that's OK, I'd try priming it with some
> starting fluid (ether) to see if it won't fire up. Then you'll know if
> your fuel line or carb is iced too much to keep it running.
>
> All I can think of . . . it's warmed up to -30C here tonight. ;-(
>
> 'Curly'
>
> ==================

Man, that's cold! Yep the rotor button is turning, and I tried the
ether....not a single bang out of any cylinder.

The only thing I can think of is that the spark is not timed with the
compression. But, that should have come up on an engine code.

I'm starting to suspect the ECU has gone south.

Thanks for the help!

#4 (**permalink**) 31 Jan 2004, 08:20 pm

Had a similar problem with my prelude. Driving down the highway and it
just died. I was sure the timing belt broke. Got car home and removed
valve cover. Gave it a quick start and the camshaft turned. Belt was
not broken, but several teeth were torn off. Check your TDC and
crankshaft timing.

#5 (**permalink**) 01 Feb 2004, 10:52 pm

"William Burke" <WSBURKE@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:7200-401C5479-171@storefull-3298.bay.webtv.net...
> Had a similar problem with my prelude. Driving down the highway and it
> just died. I was sure the timing belt broke. Got car home and removed
> valve cover. Gave it a quick start and the camshaft turned. Belt was
> not broken, but several teeth were torn off. Check your TDC and
> crankshaft timing.
>

Thanks,

I checked the belt timing, all is well. Tomorrow I'm going to check the
pressure regulator. I actually have it running a bit; so bad tho that I
can't even leave the driveway in it. I'll pinch off the fuel return line
and see what happens.

The most confounding problems I have had are the late 80's Hondas.

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