Jim Grant's Tech Tips
‘91 Honda,
Starts When It Feels Like It.
Q: I have a ‘91 Honda Accord that about
once a week decides it doesn't want to start. It usually doesn't start
when I really need it to.....almost as if it knows. My boyfriend said
it's because it needs a car wash....that's why I don't let him work on
it. At first I thought it was because the battery was bad, we found the
cable very loose. We tightened it and it worked fine ... for about a week.
Usually when it doesn't start, it will turn over. Sometimes it will start
after letting it sit for about 10 minutes; sometimes it takes a couple
of hours. It's those couple of hour spans that get me. Any ideas what
could be causing it?
A: The
fix is a car wash? Keep a close eye on that guy, I don’t think anyone
could ever know what’s really on his mind. Double check the connectors
at the battery and starter. There are additional wires that provide electrical
power to the main fuse block and accessories; be sure their connection
is clean and tight. You need to determine if the ignition system is providing
spark to the spark plugs when the no start problem occurs. Have your boy
friend hold the spark plug end of the plug wire while you crank the engine.
If there is spark you’ll know what’s on his mind. If there is no spark
he’ll want to wash the car again and you’ll know that the ignition system
is probably responsible for your no start condition. All joking aside-use
a spark tester (not your boyfriend) to see if the ignition system is working
when the no start problem occurs.
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