starting problems - Honda Prelude Forum

ShadowLude · 04-03-2006, 06:14 PM

Okay...so the car I just got. I know it was cheap but I knew it needed some work. Before I bring it to a shop and have them diagnose someting for a lot of money, i wanna check if someone has any idea what could be wrong.

So the previous owner said that one day they drove the car out of the driveway and down the street. Then the car died on them. So they got it back to the house and tried to start it but no go. So this was a year ago and they just had it sit in the driveway for a year until I got it.

its a 1988 2.0s. Dual side draft carb. I checked the work done on it and in 2001 they had the fuel pump, and fuel filter replaced. I could still hear the pump work when i turn the key so I think its good still. I check the spark plugs. They look pretty good like those were also replaced. The air filter looked good as well. Anyone know what could be wrong. The starter is fine because in turns when I start it and it has a new battery in it.

Any ideas?

merlindavis · 04-03-2006, 11:37 PM

main relay tended to be a pretty big problem on the 3g's... can't remember if the S model has the check engine light, as it's a wonderful indicator of whether or not the main relay is working on the Si...

if you're hearing the fuel pump, though, then chances are that the main relay is in good shape...

would be helpful to know if just the motor died, or the entire car shut off...

ShadowLude · 04-04-2006, 06:41 AM

They said that the motor just died while driving it and never wanted to start up again.

merlindavis · 04-04-2006, 12:16 PM

possible that the timing belt is dead... when i broke the belt on an old Si, the same thing happened... engine simply died, would turn over all day long, but would never catch...

o1ambre1o · 04-27-2006, 04:45 PM

I have an 88 si and both the main relay went and my timing belt. If it's the main relay, turn the ignition and use your left hand to hit the steering column (underneath) and off to the left while the iginition is turned. If that doesnt do anything it's probably NOT the main relay. If it does fix it, it will only be temporarily, I suggest getting another one. They're cheap and look like little brown boxes with plugs on them. If your timing belt went, you'd know it. My water pump ceized and my timing belt snapped on the way to work one morning. The motor died but everything in my car was still on. You wouldn't have been able to restart the car, and you'll do more damage by trying to start it over and over again if it is the timing belt. Good luck!!!!