Honda Car Forum

I bought 1998 honda Accord, 2.3 v-tec that was not running because it over heated. The old engine would only crank and not start, it had no compression due to the overheating. I put the used engine in the car. The anti-theft green key was on while cranking, and there was no feul or fire. Talked with the Honda dealership, they said I needed a key programmed. Towed it to the dealership got the key programmed. Attemped to start it, I now have fire, and have fuel, but the car would still only crank and not start. There are no trouble codes in the computer.

CCheck engine light is coming on and going off after 2 seconds. Main relay is clicking under the drivers dash. I hooked up a scan tool to see if there was anything that would noticable that would keep it from starting. I notuced the MAP sensor had 29.1 in of vaccum w/o the car even running. I unhooked the connector to the MAP sensor, the reading went to 50.2. Also, the TPS sensor showed 11% without my foot on the pedal. When the pedal is completely compressed it goes to 98.5%. Coolant temperature sensor is reading ambient temperature(60 F).

Also I was wondering on my 1998 honda accord 2.3 v-tec, can the distributor go in more than one way. I think so but im not sure. When I replaced the engine, I slotted the distributor in, is it possible that I have it 180 out? If it was 180 out, wouldnt it still back fire or something?

Also, I notice that there is no gas or gas smell on the plugs when I pull them out, I have power going to my injectors, gas going to the fuel rail and fuel leaving the fuel rail. Still its spinning over (with compression), but not starting, about to go crazy, please help....can any one give me some good advice as to what might be keeping the car from starting. I have new plugs, wires, dist cap, and rotor, good compression. Thanks very much