Honda Car Forum

My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
starter but why would it die while driving.
Please help

habecks wrote:
> My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
> longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
> work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
> starter but why would it die while driving.
> Please help

Check fuses, of course - you probably already did that.

Put a volt meter on the thinner starter connection. The thicker one has
12V on it at all times. Turn the key to start the car. If you see now
12V on the thinner lead, the problem is most likely starter related.

If you do not see 12V, it might be several things: I am not near a
schematic right now, but one leg of the main relay takes care of
ignition, I seem to remember. It could also be your ignition switch --
it has several poles. The one that takes care of your ignition may be
bad.

Perhaps report back here with your findings.

Remco

Remco wrote:
> habecks wrote:
> > My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
> > longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
> > work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
> > starter but why would it die while driving.
> > Please help
>
> Check fuses, of course - you probably already did that.
>
> Put a volt meter on the thinner starter connection. The thicker one has
> 12V on it at all times. Turn the key to start the car. If you see now
> 12V on the thinner lead, the problem is most likely starter related.
>
> If you do not see 12V, it might be several things: I am not near a
> schematic right now, but one leg of the main relay takes care of
> ignition, I seem to remember. It could also be your ignition switch --
> it has several poles. The one that takes care of your ignition may be
> bad.
>
> Perhaps report back here with your findings.
>
> Remco

Actually, thinking about it more, scratch that main relay idea. Your
starter is not turning over and your main relay does not have control
over that. I'd concentrate on your ignition switch if you don't see 12V
on the thinner starter wire.

On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 15:03:57 -0500, habecks <habecks@NOSPAMcox.net> wrote:


>My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
>longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
>work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
>starter but why would it die while driving.
>Please help


Have a pro do the troubleshooting. It's way too early to be thinking what
particular component it might be. You could spend thousands and get no closer
if you use that approach. Make *one* mistake like replace the distributor coil
.... or the starter ... when you didn't have to and you'll have wasted more than
the cost of having a pro diagnose it for you!

Step one: is it ignition, fuel, or compression? (in that order)

Remco,
Thanks for your feedback.

I have replaced the battery and the car now turns over but will not start.
All that happens is the started turns but the car will not fire. (All plugs
were checked for spark and look good)

Is there a chance this is a Cilinoid problem or fuil pump issue? I did try
starter fluid in Carb and had no change.

I also notice when checking one of the pligs for spark that gas came
flying out when I turned the key. What is this caused by this?

Thanks again!

Thanks for your help!

habecks wrote:
> Remco,
> Thanks for your feedback.
>
> I have replaced the battery and the car now turns over but will not start.
> All that happens is the started turns but the car will not fire. (All plugs
> were checked for spark and look good)
>
> Is there a chance this is a Cilinoid problem or fuil pump issue? I did try
> starter fluid in Carb and had no change.
>
> I also notice when checking one of the pligs for spark that gas came
> flying out when I turned the key. What is this caused by this?
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Thanks for your help

There are at this point many things it could be:

It might be flooded now. Try holding the accelerator pedal 1/2 way down
and starting it. It may take a while before it starts, though. It may
caugh to life with a puff of smoke and smell before it runs normally
again.
If you are getting gas in the cylinder head (where the plug is
located), most likely your problem is not your main relay. Your fuel
pressure might be bad, though, but one would think it would do
something..

So when you say that the plugs were checked for fire, were they checked
on your car? I.e. they were checked by taking them out, one by one, and
holding them close to the body while trying to start the car? Or did
you bring them someplace to be checked?

If the sparks are coming and you are getting gas and if you still can't
get it started, it could be timing related. It does happen that the
timing belt, when getting older, skips a couple of teeth and the timing
is now off where the car will not start or run at all. That will
require the timing belt to be replaced. How many miles on your car and
has the timing belt ever been replaced? (it is an expensive repair -
you'll remember if you had it done).

It is a little suspicious that your battery died to the point where you
could not get a peep out of the starter. When you do get it running,
make sure you are getting about 14.5 volts on your battery. Your
charging system (belt, alternator, etc) could have a problem (too).

How comfortable are you around working on cars? Just checking, because
I wouldn't want to steer you in a direction you don't really feel
comfortable with.
If cars are not your thing and we're getting into where it takes
special tools, techniques and fixtures, you may want to bring it to a
mechanic.

Remco

My honda concerto did that once on the motorway and it turned out to be
the timing belt had snapped! It cost me nearly £500 for an engine
re-build!
Borosteve

borosteve wrote:
> My honda concerto did that once on the motorway and it turned out to be
> the timing belt had snapped! It cost me nearly £500 for an engine
> re-build!
> Borosteve

Ouch! That is painful.
He's getting spark, though. His belt may have slipped, but couldn't
have broken.

Remco

habecks wrote:
> My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
> longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
> work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
> starter but why would it die while driving.
> Please help

habecks wrote:
> My 1987Honda Accorrd DX lost power going down the Highway. Now it will no
> longer turn over at all. When I turn the key all the lights and everything
> work fine but there is no attempt of the engine to start. I was thinking
> starter but why would it die while driving.
> Please help

check the ground wire that leads to the starter. its a small black
wire. if thats not it check all fuses. hope that helps