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Car has trouble starting
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 3:04 pm
by af_ff2008
Hello, im new with preludes but not hondas. i have a 97 Vtec. Everytime i got to start it, it doesnt turn over. after about 20-30 mintues it wil start but it sputters before it starts. Does anyone have an idea what it could be.
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 7:47 pm
by spiffyguido
Does this problem get worse or better depending on whether the engine is hot or cold?
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:08 pm
by af_ff2008
in the mornings is the worst time for it. durning the day its not as bad
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:08 pm
by af_ff2008
whens its cold its terrible
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 12:47 pm
by spiffyguido
Is the car throwing any Check Engine Light (CEL) codes?
There are directions here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=318
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:32 am
by af_ff2008
The check isnt on and that what worries me. i replaced the spark plugs but i think its the injectors
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:51 am
by spiffyguido
Did you say that it doesn't turn over? That sounds more like a problem with the starter to me.
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:38 am
by af_ff2008
no it turns over. as soon as it turns over it sputters
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:51 am
by spiffyguido
In that case, yes, the injectors could cause trouble. Have you tried running some injector cleaner through the car. That's usually a good first step.
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:50 pm
by af_ff2008
yes and it didnt do anything.
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:22 pm
by spiffyguido
Can you confirm that the spark plugs and timing are good as well?
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:12 pm
by af_ff2008
yes i replaced the spark plugs and had the timing checked
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:49 pm
by spiffyguido
Well, you have spark then.
As long as there isn't a sensory problem preventing air from getting to the engine, then the fuel system is probably to blame.
There's a lot that can go wrong, but your problems are likely caused by either the injectors or the fuel pump. You didn't mention any trouble once the car gets going, so it must just be an injector problem when starting. I believe the manual has some instructions on how to do some diagnostics on the injectors. See the manuals section.
Re: Car has trouble starting
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:26 pm
by af_ff2008
once i have it going i have no trouble with it running