So here is the deal. My honda accord has been running fine for over a

year with 140,000 miles. I slightly sprayed the engine down...a week later

it would crank but not turn over. Then I had it towed to the local mechanic

and he called me saying that I got something wet it cranks right up. So I

pick the car up and drive it home parking it on the street because it's even

pavement versus when I park it on my sloped driveway it chokes when

starting. But on even pavement it fires right up. I have been driving the

car with no problems for two weeks until its been thunderstorming here

in houston for the past couple of days & now the car wont start AGAIN.

What is going on? I checked all the spark plugs and everything was fine.

 

Turn the key to on/pos II, does the CEL come on for a few seconds then go off.

on a limb.....pull the dist cap, dry it and the rotor....check the o-ring gasket while the cap if off....re-install....what happens

 

what do you mean by turn the key to on/pos II? When I try to crank it up

all the lights come on and it throttles with full power but wont turn over.

 

There are four positions of the key....

Off= pull the key out
Accesory= Pos I
On=Pos II/Like the car is running and you are driving down the road
Start=Well just that, starter comes on

 

Yes it does exactly that!!! When I put it in Poss II, the check engine light stays on for

a couple of secs then shuts off

 

With all the moisture we've been getting in Houston area last few days, its possible your spark plug leads and coil lead (external coil?) are cracked allowing moisture to penetrate. When you attempt to start, the spark is shorted to ground preventing start.

You can confirm defective wires by spraying wires w/ fine mist of water and attempting to start at night. If you see sparks jumping to ground, you've found the problem.

Also suggest listening carefully for fuel pump (in fuel tank) to run for 2-3 secs when you turn keyswitch to ON (Pos II, not Start) and cut off. If you don't hear the fuel pump, then no-start is likely due to no fuel delivery; main fuel relay or fuel pump.


I think slope affecting start may be simply a coincidence.

good luck

 

Got your PM, sorry was outside.

The CEL coming on and going off "half way" confirm fuel.....sorry, I'm still with water getting under the cap.

 

I got your PM too; been away from the computer for a couple days...

The connection with thunderstorms makes me suspect your plug wires or distributor cap are beginning to deteriorate & allow spark leakage. That typically gets worse with moisture.

When the car is completely cold and it's completely dark outside (4am?) try this.
- Open the hood & turn off all the lights.
- Start the engine & go out to look for arcing around the plug wires or distrb.cap.
- Visible arcing or a dull blue glow indicates places where spark is leaking through cracked or damaged insulation.
- Spray water from a windex bottle to make it more visible.
- Don't get yourself caught up in the spinning belts...