skifreak
05-06-2018, 05:53 PM
Help please all you Accord smarty pants types. 1988 Honda Accord LX-i won't start. Here is what happened.
My son was driving the car and for about two weeks or more, complaining of hesitation and stumbling. I rode with him and confirmed that under most throttle positions, the car would stumble. Still started and ran, but stumbling frequently.
Then, it suddenly quit while driving.
The engine will turn over easily but will not start. It occasionally coughs, but will not start.
Here is what I have checked so far.
I checked for spark by pulling the spark plugs on #2 and #3 cylinders, holding them against the valve cover while my son cranked the engine. There was blue spark on both of them. I did not check for spark on #1 and #4 cylinders since I guessed that they would likely have spark as well.
I checked for fuel pressure by hooking up a fuel pressure gauge to the banjo bolt on the fuel injection rail. Tests confirmed fuel pressure (when key was in the "on" position) of about 38-40 psi. I repeated this test by turning the key off, bleeding the pressure, then turning the key back to the "on" position. Again, multiple test revealed 38-40 psi at the fuel rail.
There is no check engine light. No trouble codes from the ECU under the driver's seat. When the key is switched to the "on" position, the ECU will flash a red light for a second, then the red light goes off with no flashing. Just on for a second, then off.
Now what? I have spark. I have fuel pressure. I am hoping this has happened to someone, somewhere, out there and they can tell me their remedy. Or, some guidance as to what to check next. I was thinking of checking the timing next, but not sure exactly how. Maybe distributor issues? Maybe crankshaft position sensor?
I have owned this car since 1995 and have kept meticulous service records up until its current mileage of 280k, so I can tell you anything from the car's history. It was my baby until I gave it to my son a couple of months ago.
I will not let it die on me this way. We have come way to far in life together.
Thanks for your help.
My son was driving the car and for about two weeks or more, complaining of hesitation and stumbling. I rode with him and confirmed that under most throttle positions, the car would stumble. Still started and ran, but stumbling frequently.
Then, it suddenly quit while driving.
The engine will turn over easily but will not start. It occasionally coughs, but will not start.
Here is what I have checked so far.
I checked for spark by pulling the spark plugs on #2 and #3 cylinders, holding them against the valve cover while my son cranked the engine. There was blue spark on both of them. I did not check for spark on #1 and #4 cylinders since I guessed that they would likely have spark as well.
I checked for fuel pressure by hooking up a fuel pressure gauge to the banjo bolt on the fuel injection rail. Tests confirmed fuel pressure (when key was in the "on" position) of about 38-40 psi. I repeated this test by turning the key off, bleeding the pressure, then turning the key back to the "on" position. Again, multiple test revealed 38-40 psi at the fuel rail.
There is no check engine light. No trouble codes from the ECU under the driver's seat. When the key is switched to the "on" position, the ECU will flash a red light for a second, then the red light goes off with no flashing. Just on for a second, then off.
Now what? I have spark. I have fuel pressure. I am hoping this has happened to someone, somewhere, out there and they can tell me their remedy. Or, some guidance as to what to check next. I was thinking of checking the timing next, but not sure exactly how. Maybe distributor issues? Maybe crankshaft position sensor?
I have owned this car since 1995 and have kept meticulous service records up until its current mileage of 280k, so I can tell you anything from the car's history. It was my baby until I gave it to my son a couple of months ago.
I will not let it die on me this way. We have come way to far in life together.
Thanks for your help.