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1996 Honda Civic won't start


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mrc55
User

Oct 13, 2012, 2:06 PM

Post #1 of 14 (5322 views)
1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

My car was running perfect with no problems at all. While the car was running I did something stupid. I pulled out one of the spark plugs cables from the spark plug and it started running rough and then it died as soon as I put the plug cable back in. When I held up the plug cable I saw spark. Just the wire came out, the connector to the top of the plug stayed on the plug. I was able to put this wire back in. I pulled it out because it was loose and I wanted to see if there was spark getting to that plug. The car has not started since. It will turn over but not catch. Is it possible that I grounded the plug wire and fried something. Not really sure where to begin looking. I turned it over for a fairly long time and drained the battery and then my dad looked at it and thought I might have flooded it and fouled out the plugs. So I replaced all the plugs and the distributor cap. This did not help. I really appreciate any thoughts you might have! Thanks! Morgan (son of MrC55)


Hammer Time
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Oct 13, 2012, 2:14 PM

Post #2 of 14 (5308 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

You broke the plug wire and now you need to put a new set of plug wires on it. If the spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor haven't been changed recently, change them also.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



nickwarner
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Oct 13, 2012, 2:15 PM

Post #3 of 14 (5303 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

The wire pulled apart when you did that. They don't snap back together. You need to replace the wires and see if you have spark with a spark tester. Make sure you fully charge the battery before you try to start it again. You don't want your alternator to get maxed out trying to charge something marginal. Easy way to fry one out.


Discretesignals
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Oct 13, 2012, 2:39 PM

Post #4 of 14 (5287 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

Just to add:

If you pull a plug wire off to check for spark while the engine is running, there is no place for the spark to go if your holding the plug wire away, so spark can't find ground. When that happens the coil output it going to be at it's max KV. If the coil is tired, it will finish it off. If there is another place the spark can find ground, it will look for it. Such as through the coil housing to the inside of the distributor. Anytime you check for spark it is a good idea to use a spark tester or some type of way so spark can find ground through the terminal in the end of the cable without overloading the coil.

Grounding the plug wire won't hurt the coil. In fact grounding the plug wire to disable the cylinder is the preferred method next to unplugging the injector.





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mrc55
User

Oct 13, 2012, 4:31 PM

Post #5 of 14 (5269 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

Thank you for your suggestions. We have replaced the plug wires, the plugs, the distributor cap and the rotor looked fine. It still won't start


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 13, 2012, 4:50 PM

Post #6 of 14 (5265 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In


Quote
the distributor cap and the rotor


Who's trained opinion was that?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



mrc55
User

Oct 13, 2012, 4:57 PM

Post #7 of 14 (5259 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

dad


mrc55
User

Oct 13, 2012, 5:01 PM

Post #8 of 14 (5254 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

there were absolutely no problems with it until i did this.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Oct 13, 2012, 7:14 PM

Post #9 of 14 (5238 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

the cap and rotor are cheap and would be a good idea to change now to avoid problems later. You're looking at a full tuneup anyhow to see if you did fry the coil which you likely have. The parts are cheap.


mrc55
User

Oct 13, 2012, 7:59 PM

Post #10 of 14 (5235 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

Thanks everyone! I will replace the cap and rotor and check out the coil. What you said makes sense to me. I will let you know how it turns out. I appreciate the help! Morgan


mrc55
User

Oct 19, 2012, 3:07 PM

Post #11 of 14 (5193 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

Thank you for all the help...I ended up replacing the coil and that fixed it! Guess I won't make that stupid mistake again! Morgan


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Oct 19, 2012, 4:31 PM

Post #12 of 14 (5188 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

All of us learned some of the things we know about cars by doing something really dumb and having to correct that mistake. You've got it fixed and learned some new information. Glad to hear it wasn't a bank breaking deal. If you're ever not sure of something you can always ask us before you proceed and we will guide you in the right direction.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 19, 2012, 5:01 PM

Post #13 of 14 (5181 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

  

Quote
If you're ever not sure of something you can always ask us before you proceed and we will guide you in the right direction.


That's right. We got yer back! (Dont get excited Tom....LOL)







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 19, 2012, 5:03 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 19, 2012, 11:50 PM

Post #14 of 14 (5170 views)
Re: 1996 Honda Civic won't start Sign In

DS - they'd make a nice couple..............




That pic is so old I'm surprised it's in color!

Tom

(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Oct 20, 2012, 12:14 AM)






 
 
 






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