Honda Car Forum

I am having trouble with my '93 Accord not starting when it's cold. It
will turn over fine and repeatedly 'catch' if the weather is mild
enough. Once it finally gets going it will immediately restart with no
problem.

I have replaced the main relay, spark plugs, distributor rotor and cap,
coolant temperature sensor, fuel filter and starter.

I have checked OK on the battery, PGM-FI relay, spark, fuel to rail and
fuel pressure regulator. The check engine light is not on. I have
tried to pull codes and the CEL comes on and stays on until the jump is
removed.

If anyone has any ideas on what is causing my problem I would greatly
appreciate it!

"Megan" <megansblog@gmail.com> wrote in news:1165007912.527536.61970
@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

> I am having trouble with my '93 Accord not starting when it's cold. It
> will turn over fine and repeatedly 'catch' if the weather is mild
> enough. Once it finally gets going it will immediately restart with no
> problem.
>
> I have replaced the main relay, spark plugs, distributor rotor and cap,
> coolant temperature sensor, fuel filter and starter.
>
> I have checked OK on the battery, PGM-FI relay, spark, fuel to rail and
> fuel pressure regulator. The check engine light is not on. I have
> tried to pull codes and the CEL comes on and stays on until the jump is
> removed.
>
> If anyone has any ideas on what is causing my problem I would greatly
> appreciate it!
>
>



Conspicouously missing from your list are the plug wires, the most likely
candidate right now.

How old are the wires, and have you checked to see what the spark is like
when the engine won't fire?
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/start...tml#checkspark




--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Thanks for replying. I read your tips for testing the wires and tried
the WD-40 one. That was a no go. I can't get the car started now
(temps in the 20s) to try spraying the water on them. I have owned the
car for one year and have not replaced them in that time. I don't know
how long it had been before that. They appear in good shape... When we
tested for spark my husband saw blue sparks off all four wires.

Megan wrote:
> I am having trouble with my '93 Accord not starting when it's cold. It
> will turn over fine and repeatedly 'catch' if the weather is mild
> enough. Once it finally gets going it will immediately restart with no
> problem.
>
> I have replaced the main relay, spark plugs, distributor rotor and cap,
> coolant temperature sensor, fuel filter and starter.
>
> I have checked OK on the battery, PGM-FI relay, spark, fuel to rail and
> fuel pressure regulator. The check engine light is not on. I have
> tried to pull codes and the CEL comes on and stays on until the jump is
> removed.
>
> If anyone has any ideas on what is causing my problem I would greatly
> appreciate it!
>
==========================================

I dont' see any mention of injector cleaner, and your idea of COLD
probably isn't the same as mine (-40C = -40 F). When it tries, tries,
tries , tries to fire, you're just not firing on all cylinders. Run a
can of TECHRON through it or maybe a few tanks of gasohol to clean the
injectors.

What happens if you put the pedal half-way to the floor like the owner's
manual says? I do it all the time if it's below about -15 C.

'Curly'

"Megan" <megansblog@gmail.com> wrote in news:1165013108.880233.287570
@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> Thanks for replying. I read your tips for testing the wires and tried
> the WD-40 one. That was a no go. I can't get the car started now
> (temps in the 20s) to try spraying the water on them. I have owned the
> car for one year and have not replaced them in that time. I don't know
> how long it had been before that. They appear in good shape... When we
> tested for spark my husband saw blue sparks off all four wires.
>
>



If you're seeing a good, fat blue spark from all four wires, that brings
into question three things:
1) Do you get the same spark at the *plugs* that are currently in the
engine now? Pull 'em and see.
2) Is the ignition timing correctly set?
3) If you crank with the plugs all removed, can you smell fuel being pushed
out of the spark plug holes?

Have you considered the possibility of flooding? Press the gas pedal
*to the floor* and hold it there while you crank. Crank for up to 30
seconds, wait five minutes, then try the same thing again. No go?

More questions for you:
Do you hear the fuel pump run for two seconds when you first turn the key
to "II"? (Pump is under the trunk floor, whines when it's running)
Does the Check Engine light come on for two seconds during that same
period, then go off?

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

motsco_ <motsco_@interbaun.com> wrote in news:12n1e1s551djg15
@corp.supernews.com:

> Megan wrote:
>> I am having trouble with my '93 Accord not starting when it's cold. It
>> will turn over fine and repeatedly 'catch' if the weather is mild
>> enough. Once it finally gets going it will immediately restart with no
>> problem.
>>
>> I have replaced the main relay, spark plugs, distributor rotor and cap,
>> coolant temperature sensor, fuel filter and starter.
>>
>> I have checked OK on the battery, PGM-FI relay, spark, fuel to rail and
>> fuel pressure regulator. The check engine light is not on. I have
>> tried to pull codes and the CEL comes on and stays on until the jump is
>> removed.
>>
>> If anyone has any ideas on what is causing my problem I would greatly
>> appreciate it!
>>
> ==========================================
>
> I dont' see any mention of injector cleaner, and your idea of COLD
> probably isn't the same as mine (-40C = -40 F). When it tries, tries,
> tries , tries to fire, you're just not firing on all cylinders. Run a
> can of TECHRON through it or maybe a few tanks of gasohol to clean the
> injectors.
>
> What happens if you put the pedal half-way to the floor like the owner's
> manual says? I do it all the time if it's below about -15 C.
>



We don't get no Alberta-style forty-below around here, but even at -20F
I've never had to touch the gas and the puppy fires up just fine. A mite
slow, but fine.

Wowwwww-WOwwwwww-WOOwwwww-WOOOWwrrrrrrrrrmmMMMMMM.............

Really makes you think of molasses, doesn't it?

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

I don't have answers to all of your questions yet but I will do some
work tomorrow and get back to you.

What I can tell you:

We went ahead and replaced the spark plug wires (since it should have
been done with the other stuff... I know, I know) and that's not the
trick.

I have not tried injector cleaner. I will be sure to once I can get
the dang thing going again! (I'm trying to sweet talk my way into a
heated garage, so we'll see.)

If I push the pedal half-way or all of the way down it doesn't seem to
make a difference. I can smell exhaust if I do press the pedal down.
I have not tried it for 30 seconds and then waited 5 min. yet.

I do hear the fuel pump run when the key is in II.

Yes, the CEL comes on for two seconds and then goes off.

We have tried Tegger's suggestion of letting the fuel pump run it's 2
sec cycle 10-12 times in a row and that didn't work either. Can I
assume that the rail is keeping adequate pressure since this trick
didn't work?

Untold riches await whoever can figure this *stuff* out!

"Megan" <megansblog@gmail.com> wrote in news:1165022942.896273.134020
@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:

> I don't have answers to all of your questions yet but I will do some
> work tomorrow and get back to you.
>
> What I can tell you:
>
> We went ahead and replaced the spark plug wires (since it should have
> been done with the other stuff... I know, I know) and that's not the
> trick.
>
> I have not tried injector cleaner. I will be sure to once I can get
> the dang thing going again! (I'm trying to sweet talk my way into a
> heated garage, so we'll see.)
>
> If I push the pedal half-way or all of the way down it doesn't seem to
> make a difference. I can smell exhaust if I do press the pedal down.
> I have not tried it for 30 seconds and then waited 5 min. yet.
>
> I do hear the fuel pump run when the key is in II.
>
> Yes, the CEL comes on for two seconds and then goes off.
>
> We have tried Tegger's suggestion of letting the fuel pump run it's 2
> sec cycle 10-12 times in a row and that didn't work either. Can I
> assume that the rail is keeping adequate pressure since this trick
> didn't work?
>
> Untold riches await whoever can figure this *stuff* out!
>



Do it all! Not just *some* of the suggestions!

I repeat:

If you're seeing a good, fat blue spark from all four wires, that brings
into question three things:

1) Do you get the same spark at the *plugs* that are currently in the
engine *now*? Pull 'em and check.

2) Is the ignition timing correctly set? Have you checked?

3) If you crank with the plugs all removed, can you smell fuel being
pushed out of the spark plug holes? GROUND THE PLUG WIRES WHILE
CRANKING!!!!!!!!

Have you considered the possibility of flooding? Press the gas pedal
*to the floor* and hold it there while you crank. Crank for up to 30
seconds, wait five minutes, then try the same thing again. No go?

Read carefully and post again. A car needs very few things to get going.
you need to make sure those few things are there.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Tegger,

We are working through your questions as fast as possible!

All 4 sparks had a blue spark but my husband thought that they looked a
little small. This is the first time he's seen spark on a Honda so
that may be relative. The plugs were wet with fuel, even up around the
threads. Is this normal?

We have not taken all four out at once and checked for fuel smell but
we could certainly smell it on the plugs and in the holes individually.

We have not had the timing checked.

"Megan" <megansblog@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1165079743.718350.141270@j72g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> Tegger,
>
> We are working through your questions as fast as possible!
>
> All 4 sparks had a blue spark but my husband thought that they looked
> a little small. This is the first time he's seen spark on a Honda so
> that may be relative.



If it's blue, it *should* be OK.

If you have a second car, see what that car's spark looks like under the
SAME lighting conditions. If the Honda's looks the same as the other
car's it's fine.

Are you using an aftermarket coil? Aftermarket wires?



> The plugs are wet with fuel, even up around the
> threads. Is this normal?


No!!!



>
> We have not taken all four out at once and checked for fuel smell but
> we could certainly smell it on the plugs and in the holes
> individually.
>
> We have not had the timing checked.
>


If the plugs are wet, you're flooded. In other words, the mixture in the
cylinders is far too rich to be able to fire.

Pull all the plugs and leave the engine overnight to allow the plugs to
dry and some of the fuel to evaporate from the cylinders. Next day, put
the plugs back (check their gaps first), then HOLD THE PEDAL TO THE
FLOOR while you crank.

Now, why are you flooded? Without seeing the car, I'm not sure. It might
just be from numerous unsuccessful attempts at starting. Try the above
first.

Have you ascertained the plug wires are connected the right way around,
with each wire going to the correct cylinder?

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/