Fugg! Car died unexpectedly?

[nate2k5]

was heading out to run some errands tonight, got in my car to go started it and drove to the end of my driveway then went back in to get a scraper cuz the window was covered in frost. came back out and while walking up to my car it just died.

got in attempted to start and it just cranks over strong but will not catch? i would guess the only two culprits are fuel or ignition. any ideas?

[h22apwrd94]

ICM or maybe timing belt (how old?). Both have probable cause.

Mike

[nate2k5]

ICM or maybe timing belt (how old?). Both have probable cause.

Mike

not sure how old either are but i didn't hear a snap or anything flopping around when i am cranking it.

[h22apwrd94]

Yeah, that's the problem with the timing belt. Doesn't flap around after it breaks, kind of just lays there. Pull the dist. cap off, see if rotor is rotating. Tell you if TB or not.

Mike

[nate2k5]

Yeah, that's the problem with the timing belt. Doesn't flap around after it breaks, kind of just lays there. Pull the dist. cap off, see if rotor is rotating. Tell you if TB or not.

Mike

try to get that done tomorrow. problem is i am the only one here and i can only be in one place at a time ha

[h22apwrd94]

take cap off, get in car with hood up, crank over, see if rotor turns. Should be able to see it from in the car.

Mike

[rocklobsta]

if you break a timing belt, you can hear it if you tried cranking it..the engine will turn over faster and you can hear that its not building compression

[nate2k5]

ok, just checked it. not timing belt, the dizzy is cranking.

[zachv365]

if you break a timing belt, you can hear it if you tried cranking it..the engine will turn over faster and you can hear that its not building compression

id have to agree to disagree on this. i broke my timing belt in my gayclipse i heard nothing just when i turned it over the car shook like a bitch:thumbsup:

[nate2k5]

id have to agree to disagree on this. i broke my timing belt in my gayclipse i heard nothing just when i turned it over the car shook like a bitch:thumbsup:

either way it would be noticeable from if it wasn't broken. it cranks normally just won't catch.

[nikt515]

either way it would be noticeable from if it wasn't broken. it cranks normally just won't catch.

i had same problem nate can you hear your fuel pump kick on before u start if not check fuse... or even possible fuel pump

[h22apwrd94]

ICM most likely then. Maybe Main Relay. Not as likely.

Mike

[zachv365]

i had same problem nate can you hear your fuel pump kick on before u start if not check fuse... or even possible fuel pump

i was just about to say that glad i looked that would be the next thing to check on my list:thumbsup:

[nate2k5]

ICM most likely then. Maybe Main Relay. Not as likely.

Mike

after a little searching this seems very likely. my idle has been very erratic and at times the car would stall out above 2k rpms. turning it off and on again it went back to normal.

by erratic i don't just mean little fluctuations while its cold, i mean its warmed up and i come to a stop light and it hops from 1k-2k over and over.

[WHOMIKEJOBES]

Possible Ignition coil?

[nate2k5]

anyone in ames have one i can test with?

[WHOMIKEJOBES]

anyone in ames have one i can test with?

Are you getting spark?

[nate2k5]

Are you getting spark?

any tips on checkin this by yourself besides removing a spark plug? ha

[WHOMIKEJOBES]

any tips on checkin this by yourself besides removing a spark plug? ha

Have a friend pull out a spark plug wire out and hold the tip up to a bolt on your VC, Then turn over the car if it sparks to the bolt you have spark.

[nate2k5]

Have a friend pull out a spark plug wire out and hold the tip up to a bolt on your VC, Then turn over the car if it sparks to the bolt you have spark.

like i said, i am home alone. the roommates went home for the weekend.

[nate2k5]

ok, i was able to check it. it is getting spark and now its even starting up, but only for like 5 seconds before it just dies. its rough starting up, then it blipped ultra quickly from 1.5-2k and stayed there idling normally for 2-3 seconds then just died again. the 2k idle is normal for it in cold weather.

[WHOMIKEJOBES]

Any CEL?

[nate2k5]

Any CEL?

nope, altho i don't know if it stays on long enough to throw one.

[nate2k5]

bump

[Dex]

Hope this helps!
http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

[IsaacEK]

Turn signal fluid low?

[nate2k5]

Turn signal fluid low?

you think you are so funny goin around here e-thuggin with your wiseass comments, well i am sick of them! FRIG OFF!

jk greg, emo-squad for life :thumbsup:

[nate2k5]

Hope this helps!
http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

thanks dex

can the main relay be taken out a new one installed without any soldering, is it just a plug in affair?

can it safely be narrowed down to either the main relay or ignition coil/module now?

[Dex]

thanks dex

can the main relay be taken out a new one installed without any soldering, is it just a plug in affair?

can it safely be narrowed down to either the main relay or ignition coil/module now?

Main relay is plug in play yes. I would test your ICM first with an ohmmeter.

[nate2k5]

Main relay is plug in play yes. I would test your ICM first with an ohmmeter.

i don't have one, i know they don't cost much but i am broke as hell now saving for a trip next week.

[Dat1BVtecN]

blabla...too lazy to read through thread.

I'm 83% that it may be the fuel pump.

[nate2k5]

blabla...too lazy to read through thread.

I'm 83% that it may be the fuel pump.

if you read through you would see it started up this morning but sputtered kind and idle fluctuated. unless the pump is just on the fritz and only sporadically pumping?

[slowvic]

I was going to say, is your fuel pump priming at every start up??

[nate2k5]

I was going to say, is your fuel pump priming at every start up??

is it supposed to go at the first key stop position or the second, i can't hear at the second because the fan starts up.

[erok]

Have you ever changed your fuel filter?

[nate2k5]

Have you ever changed your fuel filter?

i haven't but i'll go check it. i assume it will be noticeably nasty if its bad.

[erok]

i haven't but i'll go check it. i assume it will be noticeably nasty if its bad.I would just replace it if you dont know when it was changed last..

[nate2k5]

I would just replace it if you dont know when it was changed last..

i haven't been doing a whole lot of maintenance because i know its getting replaced in the near future...hopefully. i'll be going inline filter.

[slowvic]

I believe it's at the second key position. What's wrong w/ an OEM fuel filter??

Maybe try it when it's cold so the fan don't start. :neutral:

[nate2k5]

I believe it's at the second key position. What's wrong w/ an OEM fuel filter??

Maybe try it when it's cold so the fan don't start. :neutral:

its an eyesore

the car is on like its 3rd swap so it has ghosts, and one of them turns on the fan at startup ha.

i'm checking the fuel filter now, bigger pain the ass then i expected since the PO put a guage on top of it. hmm thinking of it the gauge is reading ~40psi, does that mean i can eliminate the fuel pump? of course if its just being sporadic it doesn't help.

[nate2k5]

bump, this fuel filter is being a real bitch, i'm guessing the PO tightened it to a lot higher than 16 ft/lbs :sad:

[Dat1BVtecN]

if you read through you would see it started up this morning but sputtered kind and idle fluctuated. unless the pump is just on the fritz and only sporadically pumping?

nah...was too lazy to go through each post and read some BS

Well...let us know when you find out what it is... goodluck!

[thatfastteg]

its not the main relay forsure because you are getting spark and the fuel pump is kicking on. if it was the fuel filter you should be able to let the car sit for a couple hours then go start it (cause all the shit that is clogging the filter will fall back down to the bottom)then it will dye again like you said in about 10 secs. is there Sugar in your gas tank??!! JKJK i hope not atleast:thumbsup:

[nate2k5]

its not the main relay forsure because you are getting spark and the fuel pump is kicking on. if it was the fuel filter you should be able to let the car sit for a couple hours then go start it (cause all the shit that is clogging the filter will fall back down to the bottom)then it will dye again like you said in about 10 secs. is there Sugar in your gas tank??!! JKJK i hope not atleast:thumbsup:

that really makes it sound like the fuel filter. after it died it would not start at all that night then the next morning it started up but died soon after, then later in the day it stayed running a little bit longer. well not many ppl i know know where i live and the gas tank cover is still shut and shows no sign of tampering.

edit: don't think i have much to worry about there any way...unless thats what clogged my filter :toothless

http://www.snopes.com/autos/grace/sugar.asp

[nate2k5]

ok just went out and tried to start it again, didn't really want to stay running at all, seems the warmer it gets the more it is willing to start. anyway after it died the last time it made this electrical like buuuurrrrrr sound either from under the passenger side dash or passenger side of the engine bay by the dizzy.

[woodroeb20]

yeah like everyone else says it does sound like fuel filter or if it made some type of electrical sound from the passenger side maybe check your ecu see if it smells like its burnt maybe fried a few resistors or something in that nature...i dunno if the G3 tegs are the same as G2 tegs when it comes to firewalls...i had to my ecu wrapped in a garbage bag cuz every now and then water would leak through. guy that owned the car before me had to replace the ecu becuz of it

[nate2k5]

yeah like everyone else says it does sound like fuel filter or if it made some type of electrical sound from the passenger side maybe check your ecu see if it smells like its burnt maybe fried a few resistors or something in that nature...i dunno if the G3 tegs are the same as G2 tegs when it comes to firewalls...i had to my ecu wrapped in a garbage bag cuz every now and then water would leak through. guy that owned the car before me had to replace the ecu becuz of it

well its made the sound a few times so it wasn't something frying.

[woodroeb20]

any luck with the fuel filter coming off yet

[nate2k5]

any luck with the fuel filter coming off yet

no, the goddamn banjo bolt is on so tight, its a weird size, like 11/16 and i don't have any SAE 1/2" sockets

[woodroeb20]

i think i have an extra one ill jus let u have it. its not a name brand but ill get it to ya when you get the hids in

[CaseBone]

To get your hopes up, my fuel filter in my DA was bad and I replaced it since the car almost got kind of boggy at times and it fixed the problem. Good luck and I'm pretty sure the fitting was like 17 or 19 maybe....its been a while since I looked at it. But don't worry Nate, my car started acting up too like a week after it started getting cold. Fuckin BS but I think I know what's wrong with it......I hope. :spoiled:

[jdmtimdc2]

your car is telling you to finish up your motor and drop it in!!!

[nate2k5]

your car is telling you to finish up your motor and drop it in!!!

the engine is completely built but its still a long road ahead

[nate2k5]

god fucking dammit, this fuel filter is a real cunt! 17mm is too small, 19mm is too big. 11/16 fits perfect but all i have is a wrench in that size. when using the single wrench the bracket and firewall flex and it won't budge. when using two wrenches to keep is from flexing i can't get enough leverage. this fucking bolt is supposed to be 16 ft/lbs not 80! :explode:

[Timmyflys]

spray some lube on that bitch let it sit for a while

an isn't there another nut below it so you could use two wrenches one for leverage?

[nate2k5]

spray some lube on that bitch let it sit for a while

an isn't there another nut below it so you could use two wrenches one for leverage?

i coated it in PB Blaster yesterday

yah there is but i can't get any leverage on the top wrench like that because its not very long and too close to the other one.

[nate2k5]

ok i found a 11/16 socket. the top bolt was that size because it was aftermarket to mount the fuel pressure guage. got the top bolt off but i can't get any leverage on the bottom where the fuel line comes into the filter :explode:

[nate2k5]

what way are you supposed to turn the bottom fuel line bolt? it won't budge either way. :hithead:

[nate2k5]

ok, got it and the fuel filter replaced, no help. i can hear the fuel pump turn on also and the psi on the fuel guage never dips below 40psi. i am guessing its no longer a fuel issue and instead ignition.

[blakkda]

ok, got it and the fuel filter replaced, no help. i can hear the fuel pump turn on also and the psi on the fuel guage never dips below 40psi. i am guessing its no longer a fuel issue and instead ignition.

Still could be fuel related/ Do you have Noid lights?- Power signal to the Injectors?

[nate2k5]

Still could be fuel related/ Do you have Noid lights?- Power signal to the Injectors?

noid lights? if its a power signal issue to the injectors then it would be ignition.

[woodroeb20]

hey nate i just remembered my teg did this too. was your tach kinda jumpy before it died on you? if so then it is the dizzy. the coil went out in mine but i had an extra dizzy laying there so i jus switched them out and presto it ran like a champ again

[blakkda]

noid lights? if its a power signal issue to the injectors then it would be ignition.

Noid lights test to see if you have injector pulse, by pluging into the injector clip. And it would not be and Ignition problem. If you had no signal to the injector, you would have no fuel, hense a fuel problem.

Injectors drive of of the computer, but does not mean it is in anyway ignition.

See if you have power to the injectors, use a test light to the power side of the clip if you don't have noid lights.

Alway start with three thing on a no start problem

Fuel pressure-ok
Spark-?
Injector pulse-?

Leads you straight to the section you need to pursue further.

Slow your role while I try to help you then you can be tuff guy again...

[h22apwrd94]

Still saying ICM. Do you have your vtec distributor laying around? For your new setup? If so, swap ICM out.

Mike

[nate2k5]

Still saying ICM. Do you have your vtec distributor laying around? For your new setup? If so, swap ICM out.

Mike

its at my parents house two hours away :sad:

[h22apwrd94]

That doesn't work. Ok, test light. Grab a turn signal bulb, two short leads of wire, and hook it up so you can test an unhooked injector plug. Mark timing position on distributor, then remove from engine. Turn car to ON (do not crank over) and go under hood and hand turn distributor key CCW to trigger injector pulse. Easy tool-less way to troubleshoot injector signal.

Mike

[nate2k5]

That doesn't work. Ok, test light. Grab a turn signal bulb, two short leads of wire, and hook it up so you can test an unhooked injector plug. Mark timing position on distributor, then remove from engine. Turn car to ON (do not crank over) and go under hood and hand turn distributor key CCW to trigger injector pulse. Easy tool-less way to troubleshoot injector signal.

Mike

do i have to test all of them or just one? the bold parts i'm not understanding fully

[h22apwrd94]

Just have to test one. Before unbolting distributor, make a mark across the distributor flange, and the place on the head it bolts to, so that you can line timing back up properly. The back side of the distributor is keyed to insert into the cam end, turn that CCW to follow the engines rotation.

Mike

[nate2k5]

well i checked out the dizzy and took it off to get tested. it was only held on by one bolt :eek:

guess i found my oil leak :sad:

could this be relevant to the current problems i am having?

[Kazuya]

fuel pump relay?......i reconize this problem with my crx....but never experience it with my dc2?........good luck bro :eek:

[h22apwrd94]

well i checked out the dizzy and took it off to get tested. it was only held on by one bolt :eek:

guess i found my oil leak :sad:

could this be relevant to the current problems i am having?

Not the one bolt issue. Replace your distributor o-ring while you have it off. Just somebody was lazy when putting it on. So you have fuel pressure, spark or no spark, and were the injectors firing?

Mike

[nate2k5]

Not the one bolt issue. Replace your distributor o-ring while you have it off. Just somebody was lazy when putting it on. So you have fuel pressure, spark or no spark, and were the injectors firing?

Mike

had fuel pressure, had spark, never got the injector pulse checked.

i had chas test the dizzy for me and it tested bad so hopefully that's the only culprit.

[nate2k5]

well i got the new dizzy put on but its no better than before, it seems to act the same whether i have my fuel pump kill switch engaged or not. i can hear it turn on and i have fuel pressure though...

[woodroeb20]

hey nate how is everything coming anything new???

[nate2k5]

not yet, i installed the new dizzy and timed it last night and made sure i had spark. i'm gonna pull the vc today to see if theres any damage or if the timing belt skipped some teeth.

[woodroeb20]

have you checked the injectors yet???

[nate2k5]

have you checked the injectors yet???

nah i need to get a spark plug socket so i can check if the fuel is getting sprayed into the cylinder.

[woodroeb20]

ill bring one up tomorrow i got one u can use

[woodroeb20]

ITS ALIVE!!! LOL sorry i jus had to nate

[nate2k5]

ITS ALIVE!!! LOL sorry i jus had to nate

and its dead :sad:. i drove it last night to a friends house and it died like i said. the starter was loose so i went back today and tightened it up and it will not start, it's not even barely catching like before. i checked for spark and saw none.

i am very wary of the ECU being good at this point, sporadic bogging and seemingly injector/spark trouble lead me there. last night when driving the rpm guage was also going nuts above 2k rpms, the engine rpm's were normal but the guage was going nuts, hopping and not being smooth at all.

[woodroeb20]

was that the gsr dizzy on that??? my old da did that too. the tach would jump around alot and then finally the dizzy jus went out

[nate2k5]

was that the gsr dizzy on that??? my old da did that too. the tach would jump around alot and then finally the dizzy jus went out

yah, its brand new

[woodroeb20]

i thought that gsr dizzys didnt work very well on non vtec

[rysbrnr]

Did you ever get a chance to look at the main relay? It's easy to remove and inspect and is a very common failure. Mine went bad in my GSR this summer and had the exact symptoms you have. Engine cranks over fine but won't run. The main relay supplies power to the fuel pump and ECU basically. There's two high current relays in there and the soldering is crap on them. They crack easily and become intermittent. I have an extra main relay also if you need one.