My 1990 Honda Accord Lx wont start

Asked by julia Oct 13, 2017 at 08:14 PM about the 1990 Honda Accord LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The car was working just fine and then when it was idling just died. It would
crank but not turn over, and im not hearing any unusual sounds while it cranks.
It did it about a week ago but started when i jiggled the spark plug wires on the
disturbitor. I can also smell fuel when it tries to crank over. Now it just wont start
but cranks. Any ideas?

10 Answers

58,955

May need a igniter in the distributor if no spark. But it could also be one of the 5 sensors in the distributor too. I would also check spark plugs & wires for age and other problems, signs of arching, burned, ect and replace if needed as-well as the cap & rotor. Cap could be bad/cracked ect. and rotor could be bad.

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58,955

Was the check engine light on before this? If so have the codes scanned.

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58,955

Fastest way to check for no fuel is to spray either or carb/choke cleaner in the intake while trying to crank it up if it tries to crank or does for a few seconds it is not getting fuel either to injectors or injectors are not opening. If it does nothing it may not have spark but also still may not have either if computer is not sending out the signals too. You can use a spark tester tool, you put the spark plug in it with the plug wire from engine attached and see if its sparking or not. Does not mean there is no reason not to do a full tune up on the ignition system tho if it does have a spark. If fuel is the issue the pump will primp at the turn of the key yes but if its not been a while since last time key was turned then you may not hear it until a few hours pass. But you can hear a hum.

58,955

Starter fluid aka ether is the first choice to test for if it will crank on it to see if no fuel, or dirty injectors ect. At its age it may need fuel filter/ injectors & throttle body cleaned, a air filter if its dirty, And all maintenance not yet done that has been overlooked. Timing belt ect. May need to make sure the timing belt did not break, if your oil filler cap ids on top of valve cover open it and turn it over and use a flashlight to gaze inside there to see if the parts are moving or remove the timing belt cover upper and see if its broke.

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58,955

Check all you electrical conections and look over you wires to see if any are bad or need fixed or connected tighter, and check all your fuses under dash & hood and there is likely a fuse on or near the computer (passenger side kick panel under carpet below glove box or just behind glove box.)

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