turn key, engine cranks and start to turn over, but will not start

Asked by strike5223 Nov 28, 2015 at 02:54 PM about the 1997 Honda Civic del Sol 2 Dr S Coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

115k miles, was fine yesterday

3 Answers

20

Mine did that, turns out rain leaked down from windshield cowl into passenger side, so minor never noticed but got into computer that is mounted inside car on passenger side under right side, pulled computer out and checked, board was fried. Replaced with used one from ebay, still would not start. Finally after reading so much I could be a mechanic now, learned if distributor was sending signal to computer when water fried that distributor probably fried as well. Ordered complete distributor assembly (came with everything, got on Amazon for $100, autozone wanted over $300) after put new distributor assembly in, cranked right up. Leak was so small carpet was barely wet so I never noticed. I had just moved from CA where it hardly ever rains, and never had problem till moved to PA, first time it rained car shut off while driving and would not restart. Replaced so many parts before realizing computer fried. Took cover off computer and it smelled like burnt electrical wires plus there was a hole in the green board with black burnt marks. Could not smell till took cover off computer. Computer is very easy to replace, just unplug old one and plug in new one. Have to make sure you get exact one for replacement and model numbers are written on it, you must match numbers identically and make sure its for correct transmission type. When getting new distributor assembly, a lot don't come with coil and the igniter so make sure to get one that does plus rotor and cap, but I tried replacing rotor and cap first and did not work. So if your Honda del sol ever just cuts out while driving in rain, or wont start after rain, check computer first. Depending on if signal was sent from computer to distributor when fried, sometimes distributor will still be ok. I would try computer replacement first, then if no start replace entire distributor assembly with coil and ignitor and housing etc. My spark plug wires and spark plugs were ok.

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