YACT: CARFIXURGENY

[Goosemaster]

UPDATE:

So, the car started about 20min ago. Unfortunately, I had to keep giving it gas as it was struggling to stay on(<500 rpm when default is 800)

After keeping it @ 2000-3000 rpm for about 10 min, and at 4000-5000 for about 5min thereafter, when I slowly let off the gas, it struggled by itself a few times, giving itself more gas, and finally settled right below the 800rpm mark. I then proceeded to leave it running.

It has been about 15minutes, and I'll give it another 15 before I try and turn it off and restart it.


As for the noise, the car seems to be struggling. When I had it at a steady 4000rpm, the needle began dancing between about 3900 and 4100. During these intermitant changes, the car seemed to be struggling. It sounded sort of like when a car isidling and you turn on the AC on. The AC was off as were other electronics when I finally left it idling.

Could it be the alternator? The car seems to stay on now, but I didn't turn on electronics with the gas pedal depressed. While the gas pedal was pressed enough to keep it @ 3500rpm, I did try both the AC and the radio, and they worked fine.

Could it be the sparkplugs? When @ 4000rpm for the first time as I stated, the car's rpm reading was variable and it seemed to be every 2 seconds and sometimes it was just random. it sounded like this although perhaps not as exaggerated: ".....dadadada....duhduhduh"
If I could tell that only 2cylinders were working etc, then that might be the problem. I'll ask my mechanic if not replace them myself just in case.

Distributor: The car sounds like it is hooked correctly at least as far as I can tell. My old mechanic once put the leads on incorrectly, so I know what it sounds like if connected incorrectly😀


The car is still running BTW...I didn't even bother to lock the damn thing. If someone steals it, I am sure they will promptly return it or at least ditch it the two blocks away from here were it will die on them anyway:evil:

Original Post


My car =1990 Honda accord. ?mint condition? whereby ?mint? is used only to bring to light its commonality with a mint on a hotel pillow?.it just sits there and does nothing?.no movement whatsoever.

1. I need to go to class.
2. CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN?


To clarify, the entire car including alternator and electronics eventually died after trying to start it for about 10min. The starter was now dead. Instead of the noise it usually makes, I heard a soft clicking noise. I then tried to jump start it using my Dad's isuzu. I left the Izuzu connected via the jumper cables for about 10minutes, and then tried to start my honda. The starter and the electronics were now working again, but it sitll would not start. The Izuzu was still connected to the honda as I tried to start it.

This has happene before, and a mechanic friend thought it was the distributor and replaced it this weekend. The car did start. The Car started once today. I left it on for only about 5minutes because I had to go somewher later and wanted to make sure it would start.

Important: After trying to turn it on again after leaving if off for about 5min with everything off, the starter somehow struggles for a second and the engine seems to turn over once. Then it will do it less the next time I try the key, and finally, it will go back to just the starter working away without resistance.

Without knowing much, what are the odds that my spark plugs are clogged? The damn thing has been burning oil for ages due to a damaged piston ring, and I have been told that burning oil can clog them up. Also, what tools will I need to replace the spark plugs? I will be using that ?H?? generic car manual.


EDIT: FIXED TITLE and Comprehensibility 😀

 

[Pepsi90919]

regardless, please change your oil. eli will be by shortly to yell at you.

 

[CrackRabbit]

sounds kinda like the starter or starter solenoid is going bad. My AMC did something similar when the starter went bad.
If you can get it off have someone take you to an Autozone and have them bench test it.

I think you mean starter instead of altenator, the altenator is the thing that charges your battery.

Also, for changing spark plugs, though i dont think thats your problem, you would need a special spark plug socket, and a torque wrench. You can do it without a torque wrench but you run the risk of stripping the spark plug hole.


CrackRabbit

 

[Electric Amish]

I would say get a new battery.

Sounds like the starter is trying, but doesn't have enough juice to crank.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
sounds kinda like the starter or starter solenoid is going bad. My AMC did something similar when the starter went bad.
If you can get it off have someone take you to an Autozone and have them bench test it.

CrackRabbit

Will do...i helped my dad replace his a short time nack, but I cannot do the ams e for a lot of stuff on my car..I can;t even shage the oilll...🙁 IT is just too low to the ground..then again his f350 is like 2Ft off the ground😀

I guess I'll read on how to take it out(shouldn;t be that hard as the f350's was pretty damn easy if I say so myself)

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
I would say get a new battery.

Sounds like the starter is trying, but doesn't have enough juice to crank.

I used my Dad's Izuzu ordeo to jump start it..or attempt to do so. I left it running with the cables still connected....nothing happened in 1 hour + of doing so...looks like the battery is bad, but i think that is not "the problem"

 

[Quixfire]

Goosemaster before I spend the time to reply to your questions with honest and direct answers please answer one question.

Are you for real? I could barely understand what you wrote and how that has anything to do with a car not starting. Please excuse my directness but I starting to think your pulling everybody leg on this one.

 

[loup garou]

LLICOI OSAIJOI OIWNML OICOAPIRETCIX LKMOCISXZ.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Push start it. Put it in neutral and get some buddies to push it as fast as they can with the key in "ON" position, then drop it into first with the gas pedal held down partway, or into drive if it is an automatic.

Its loads of fun.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Goosemaster before I spend the time to reply to your questions with honest and direct answers please answer one question.

Are you for real? I could barely understand what you wrote and how that has anything to do with a car not starting. Please excuse my directness but I starting to think your pulling everybody leg on this one.

not pulling anyone's leg. Read my back posts...my car is a POS and has been for quite a while🙁
I am not mechanically inclined since I haven't spent time getting to know it.

what woud you like me to ellaborate on?

 

[Electric Amish]

I used my Dad's Izuzu ordeo to jump start it..or attempt to do so. I left it running with the cables still connected....nothing happened in 1 hour + of doing so...looks like the battery is bad, but i think that is not "the problem"

If it will start when jumped, but not on it's own it's either the battery or the alternator.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Push start it. Put it in neutral and get some buddies to push it as fast as they can with the key in "ON" position, then drop it into first with the gas pedal held down partway, or into drive if it is an automatic.

Its loads of fun.

I've tried that about twice with no luck. No one else is here so i can't try that now because:
1) the road slopes down so I will not be able to get it back up
2) the car is facing uphill, and there are other cars near it preventing a rolling turn.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Goosemaster before I spend the time to reply to your questions with honest and direct answers please answer one question.

Are you for real? I could barely understand what you wrote and how that has anything to do with a car not starting. Please excuse my directness but I starting to think your pulling everybody leg on this one.

not pulling anyone's leg. Read my back posts...my car is a POS and has been for quite a while🙁
I am not mechanically inclined since I haven't spent time getting to know it.

what woud you like me to ellaborate on?

Thanks for clearing that up, I can determine what you are trying to say and will post some answers in a min.

 

[woowoo]

Sounds like you need a new battery.....
Then you can troubleshoot your "No start " condition.

BTW:
It's the STARTER that cranks the engine not the alternator .........

I would have it towed back to the same mechanic.
He may feel sorry for you and reduce your next repair bill.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

I used my Dad's Izuzu ordeo to jump start it..or attempt to do so. I left it running with the cables still connected....nothing happened in 1 hour + of doing so...looks like the battery is bad, but i think that is not "the problem"

If it will start when jumped, but not on it's own it's either the battery or the alternator.

To clarify, the entire car including alternator and electronics eventually died after trying to start it for about 10min.The starter was now dead. Instead of the noise it usually makes, I heard a soft clicking noise.I then tried to jump start it using my Dad's isuzu. I left the Izuzu connected via the jumper cables for about 10minutes, and then tried to start my honda. The starter and the electronics were now working again, but it sitll would not start

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Sounds like you need a new battery.....
Then you can troubleshoot your "No start " condition.

BTW:
It's the STARTER that cranks the engine not the alternator .........

I would have it towed back to the same mechanic.
He may feel sorry for you and reduce your next repair bill.

WHOOPS😱

Shows you how much I know. I actually know the difference, and it WAS the starter that I replaced, but I guess I got my terminology mixed up.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Goosemaster before I spend the time to reply to your questions with honest and direct answers please answer one question.

Are you for real? I could barely understand what you wrote and how that has anything to do with a car not starting. Please excuse my directness but I starting to think your pulling everybody leg on this one.

not pulling anyone's leg. Read my back posts...my car is a POS and has been for quite a while🙁
I am not mechanically inclined since I haven't spent time getting to know it.

what woud you like me to ellaborate on?

Thanks for clearing that up, I can determine what you are trying to say and will post some answers in a min.

Goosemaster to English Dictionary

Alternator: Starter Motor (alternate definitions: Alternator, Engine)
Willing: making a lot of noise
Chug: noone knows

 

[desertdweller]

Throw some chicken bones on the hood and do a start dance.

Ok, seriously, cylinder pressure is very important for the engine to start so make sure the condenser
is condensing.


DD

 

[Goosemaster]

I edited the original message to make it a tad more comprehensible

 

[Quixfire]

First off your spark plugs are not clogged. Based on your description of the problem I would have to say your battery or battery connections are bad. I?m ruling out the starter at this point because you stated it has been replaced.

What I need to know is the voltage your battery is putting out right know. If you have a voltage meter you can check the voltage across the posts. A good battery will have a voltage range of 12.3-12.8, and weak or discharged battery would be in the range of 10.8 to 12.2, and bad battery would be below 10.7 volts. If the battery has less than 9.6 volts it won?t even turn over the starter because a starter needs a minimum of 9.6 volts to operate. If the battery is discharged then you will need to recharge it. If it is bad you can try to recharge it or just replace it.

If your voltage is good clean the battery terminals. Corroded terminal ends can rob voltage and cause a hard to start condition.

Battery Cleaning

Please let me know the results of these tests.

P.S. I?m sorry about questioning your OP.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
First off your spark plugs are not clogged. Based on your description of the problem I would have to say your battery or battery connections are bad. I?m ruling out the starter at this point because you stated it has been replaced.

What I need to know is the voltage your battery is putting out right know. If you have a voltage meter you can check the voltage across the posts. A good battery will have a voltage range of 12.3-12.8, and weak or discharged battery would be in the range of 10.8 to 12.2, and bad battery would be below 10.7 volts. If the battery has less than 9.6 volts it won?t even turn over the starter because a starter needs a minimum of 9.6 volts to operate. If the battery is discharged then you will need to recharge it. If it is bad you can try to recharge it or just replace it.

If your voltage is good clean the battery terminals. Corroded terminal ends can rob voltage and cause a hard to start condition.

Battery Cleaning

Please let me know the results of these tests.

P.S. I?m sorry about questioning your OP.

Thanks

Actually, I wrote that the distributor had been replaced which I accidentally erased. As for the battery, I agree 100% that it is faulty and has to be replaced ASAP. However, I had My Dad's Izuzu connected to honda for about half and hour during which the electronics recovered and appearantly the battery charged itself. I did clean the terminals as I wasn't getting anything to the honda via the jumper cables. It eventually began charging itself as the dash lights brightened up to normal strength.

Even with the Izuzu turned on and conencted to my Honda, the Honda would not start.

 

[rezinn]

The #1 thing you need to do when your car won't start is remove the battery and alternator and have them tested, and check the wiring between them and the starter. If your battery is more than 5 years old, it's likely the problem. Alternators can last quite a while, although remanufactured ones have a habit of living a short life.

You should really only jumpstart your car if you have to get somewhere and you know your battery is dead from leaving something inside the car on. Otherwise you put too much stress on your alternator to recharge the dead battery, and you now have the chance that you're going to get stranded elsewhere. Jumping it to drive to get a new battery is fine.

One thing you should worry about now is if your new distributor is installed correctly. I'm not too familiar with a 90 honda, but if the distributor has any control over the timing, it may be advanced too far so now the engine isn't able to start even though it will turn over. You can pull your spark plugs to see if they're fouled, which might give you a good idea if you're getting strong enough spark. A dead distributor could have caused them to foul. As could burning oil, though.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

sometimes a dead battery just cant be jumped.

 

[Vic]

A dead battery can ALWAYS be jumped. If dead enough to provide infinite resistance, then it will just get bypassed in the circuit, but then it depends on the strength of the battery doing the jumping, which in this case probably wasn't powerful enough to run both cars from the sounds of it.
Still, the fact that the battery eventually recharged after being jumped for only half an hour tells me that it is probably healthy. However, you may have damaged it by running it dry. Charge it a little more and then crank it the first time with a voltmeter across the terminals. It should read at least 10v.

Do not push start a car that has a catylitic converter, you could damage it. If it won't start after cranking over and over long enough to drain the battery, it won't start from a couple revolutions from attempting to push start it.

Here is the #1 rule in auto repair: if your car cranks over normally and cranks and cranks and won't start and finally the battery goes dead, then the problem is NOT the battery. Do NOT replace it. It was fine and did its job until it ran out of juice, the same way a used up Duracell stops working after being used long enough, except that a car battery can be recharged. And technically, you shouldn't crank an engine over for more than 15 seconds at a time anyway as you risk overheating the starter.

When investigating why an engine won't start, you only need check 5 basic things and in this order ONLY:
1. Battery which in this case sounds fine. It cranks the engine.
2. Gas. Do you have gas in the tank? Is it being delivered to the engine? Pull the fuel hose closest to the firewall and turn the key to ON. Gas should come out.
3. Spark. Plugs don't all go out at once and a 4 cyl can run off only 2 cyls. When it cranks, if there some firing here and there, or does it just keep turning over with nothing happening? If the latter, this suspect your distributor or coil.
4. Compression.
5. Proper fuel/air mixture delivery.

 

[Goosemaster]

Thanks Vic. I'll check the distrib and the fuel.