need serious help! car wont start - Honda Prelude Forum

95PreludeNAed · 12-22-2011, 06:58 PM

I was driving my 95 lude and it started bogging when I'd step on the gas pedal. Then 10 minutes after I thought everything was fine it sputteres and then died on me. I restarted it and it stayed running for only a minute or so. Now it doesn't start. I checked fuel by loosening the fuel line to the filter and with key on it sprayed gas. then later Ireplaced the igniter cause it was bad and now it still won't start!

preludatic · 12-22-2011, 08:35 PM

check this?

Bad ignition switch? Video included

95PreludeNAed · 12-22-2011, 10:14 PM

I took a look at the video but I dont that same problem. My dash lights stay on and my car does crank. I disconnected the fuel line from the fuel filter and fuel shot out as I turned the key on. So I'm ruling out a bad fuel pump. The main relay clicks when I turn the key also...and the car does crank.

I checked the spark but removing a spark plug with the wire still plugged in and grounded it to see if itll spark and it did but the spark was white with a hint of blue. Initially, it didn't spark because as I tested the igniter was bad so I replaced that and now it sparks.

I just have no clue on what else to check. Compression sounds perfect but I think I should use a compression gauge, still.

Kick me in the balls if its something so stupid that I overlooked.

indylude18 · 12-23-2011, 12:39 AM

Did the check engine light come on?

95PreludeNAed · 12-23-2011, 01:24 AM

No, I've never seen the check engine light come on for this situation.

horatiomaximus · 12-23-2011, 06:39 PM

If you know the chambers are getting gas, and the spark plugs are all firing, then the other component I would check is air. If your not getting the required air, car wont fire. I know you said there is no check engine light, but if the problem was abrupt, the ecu may not have recognized the problem yet. Also, you said you disconnected the fuel line at the filter and it sprayed. Was this before, or after the filter? If it was before, you could still have fuel filter issues. If it is getting fuel after the filter, you could still have injector issues, or fuel rail blockage. Until you know for sure that all three components; fuel, air, and spark are reaching your combustion chambers, I'd continue to troubleshoot those things. If all three are present, then compression may be an issue. I had a timing belt fray, but not break. It grabbed the crank position sensor and snapped the wires on it. My car turned over hard, both because there was added tension with the frayed timing belt, and because the sensor was not "sensing" due to it being destroyed. If all else fails, it may be something to check.

95PreludeNAed · 12-23-2011, 08:27 PM

Air is fine. I don't have any obstructions leading up to the intake manifold. I did a compression test and all cylinders are within specs -- the cranking rhythm is even. Initially I disconnected inlet line at the fuel filter but i loosened the bolt at the end of the fuel rail and gas is coming out of there.

I thought USDM 95 vtecs didnt come with crank position sensors. I don't see and sensors next to or near the crank gear when I removed the belt cover from below nor do i see it on the rear side of the belt components. But from what I found, do you think it could possibly be my camshaft position sensor (cylinder identification sensor)? I hear that that may be the case since its located inside the distributor and the igniter, which is next to the cam position sensor, happened to fail also. But i got that replaced and still nothing.

So far I have compression, spark (but its white not blue), timing belt and components are aligned, and fuel into the chamber. I'm thinking it may be the distributor as a whole (including the components within). What do you guys think?