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Ej8 no start so confused.?

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:16 pm
by xjm92x
Ok so i have a 1996 Honda civic ex and its cranking, air is good i checked the bolt on the fuel filter and there was fuel.I checked the spark plugs(by taking each plug out and touching it to a ground and giving it power) and the spark on each plug seems to be weak what could be wrong? Is there any troubleshooting steps that im missing?
-Put in New spark plugs 8:15pm last night , still no start they are sparking and wet with fuel tested the same way (stuck plug into wire socket and touched it to a bolt on the valve cover and got spark)
idk what it could be

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:15 pm
by JohnRM
Check the the distributor rotor.

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:29 pm
by xjm92x
Okay what am i looking for on the rotor, and the spark i am getting is an orange color is that normal or should it be blue?

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:08 pm
by JohnRM
Check to see if the distributor rotor is worn down. It should look something like this
http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img ... rminal.jpg

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:05 pm
by xjm92x
Okay i got the rotor off this it what it looks like
Yeah so im On my way! To the autoparts

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:33 pm
by xjm92x
Changed rotor and its still not starting what next i used a test light on the coil and the spark at the coil was orange

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:07 pm
by JohnRM
Wait...that doesn't look bad though, lol. Have you checked your fuses or relays?

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:51 pm
by xjm92x
Ahhh man no what fuses and releys should i check, i have no cels and im getting fuel but just the spark is sketchy

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:12 pm
by JohnRM
check the main relay. it's under the steering column. kindve a PITA to take it out though

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:14 pm
by JohnRM
Before you start replacing stuff, can you give us more detail on what you did before you started having problems?

Posted:
Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:53 pm
by xjm92x
I last used the car yesterday at 3pm NY time with no issues. and then at around 430 i went to start it, it turned on then off and did not turn on again the only other issue i ever had was sometimes after putting gas i would drive away from the gass station and she would sort of sputter and turn off but she would start right back up. I have let the car get very low on gas before if that could be a possible issue. Other then that nothing else

Posted:
Sat Aug 31, 2013 1:01 am
by JohnRM
How did you check for fuel? Is your fuel pump priming?

Posted:
Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:08 am
by xjm92x
Priming? I smell fuel under the hood and the spark plugs are wet and smell like fuel i also checked at the fuel filter and there is fuel there too

Posted:
Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:55 am
by JohnRM
When at the on position, right before you start the car, you should hear the fuel pump priming. It's kind've like a buzzing sound that lasts around 2-3 seconds.

Posted:
Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:45 pm
by xjm92x
The fuel pump is priming.