Running on cylinders 1 & 2 only - Honda Prelude Forum

ScottH23 · 05-04-2003, 07:31 PM

Recently my car started running really rough below 2500rpm then taking off as soon as it got above a certain RPM. After sitting in stop and go traffic for a long time and then turning off my car it now runs even worse. After starting the engine the engine shakes pretty bad and from my inital look at things it's only running on cylinders 1 and 2. When the car is running pulling number 3 or number 4 plug wires changes nothing but pull number 1 or number 2 and the car runs noticeably worse. All injectors are clicking at equal volume and speed. All the wires are also giving a strong spark at the same intensity. No check engine lights have come on even when the car warms up. All the spark plugs are in good condition and none show signs of detonation or even of an incorrect mixture. There is definitely the smell of unburnt gas though. I swapped out my distributor a couple months ago and the timing isn't quite right but it was having no problems before and i dont believe timing being a little off could cause this. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

vtecprelude · 05-04-2003, 08:48 PM

It sounds like you're not getting a spark. I would check cap and rotor in the distributor and also try different wires. It sounds like it's most likely to be the wires.

You can't just test the plug wires while it's not connected to the spark plug inside the cylinder. It takes a lot more force to create a spark when there is pressure.
I had the same problem which appeared out of nowhere. Even though my ohm meter was telling me the wires were good but they weren't.

HOSS820822 · 02-15-2008, 04:18 PM

re: scott
bro, same problem here...2 cylinders not firing. i drove through a foot of water @ 50 mph though. my check engine code is throwing a egr valve. i changed cap, rotor, plugs, did a compression test. the only thing i havent changed are the wires. i think i am doing that next. if you find your problem let me know.

SNsLude · 02-15-2008, 05:32 PM

hehe this thread was started 5 years ago ^. At least you're searchin to find your answers though instead of waitin on your ass for ppl to respond lol.