I have a 1987 Accord LX 2.0 2bbl with 215,000 miles on it. Last Friday night, it ran just fine. Saturday morning it cranked just fine, but would not start. I started trouble shooting (I have the Hitachi distributor and a Haynes tech manual)...

* it IS getting gas, and the gas is fresh (also tried starting fluid).
* all coil resistance checks are in range.
* voltage is correct at all test points (and checked all wires).
* found broken magnet in distributor and replaced it.
* igniter registers open in one directon and 1.2 Mohm in the other
* replaced distributor cap and rotor.
* coil to distributor resistance is 3.4 Kohm (recent wire change)
* plugs are A-OK for gap and cleanliness
* reluctor seems to be OK.
* battery is relatively new, at full charge, and without corrosion.

There is no fire coming out of the coil (I tried arcing both from the coil to distributor and distributor to plug.) I have not yet been able to test the RFI capacitor (radio condenser)... So far, nothing I have changed out or tested for has made the slightest difference... cranks great, no start...

The local Honda dealer does not work on Hondas over 10 years old... As this is a needed vehicle, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Alex Wojcicki
Fayetteville NC

 

wassup man i am having the same prob with my 4th gen civic and although i am in the process of fixing it. i have found out that it is a common problem with these civics and thlate 80's early 90's accords. it might be the main relay but not positive

 

Is the coil's resistance OK? Sounds like the coil has possibly given up.

 

Thanks... coil resistance just fine... all primary to primary and primary to secondary meet specs... only thing I haven't been able to check yet is the RFI capacitor... dealer doesn't stock... need to order one... ignitor SEEMS to be ok, but not sure... new one is $200, and I don't want to order one without knowing for sure... Same for a new distributor ($160 from AutoZone, and $75-100 used from a junk yard [oops, make that an "auto parts recycling center" :-)... does anybody know what the correct readings should be??? I put my results in the original post... This is kicking my butt!

Wojo

 

I just replaced the RFI capacitor... still no joy... does anyone know the proper resistance across the ignitor??? Ian getting "open" in one directon and 1.2 MgeOhm the other way... dealer wants $200 for a new ignitor, but nobody will guarantee that this is really the problem...

IF the oxygen sensor has gone out,would that keep the car from starting??? Helllppp!!!! :-(