Timing issue?
 

Finally have engine replaced in '96 Accord (VTEC), have most of the connectors hooked up except for oxygen sensor on exhaust pipe. It won't start. It only fires when spaying starting fluid, or carb cleaner into theintake manifold. Loosened fuel line going to rail, there is gas there. Timing belt timing seems to be OK, put new belts on before install. In my opinion it seems to be a timing issue, but I cannot figure out how to change the timing via the distributor. Anything I am missing? Used old distributor and wires from old engine,put in new plugs.

Thank You

RE: Timing issue?
 

are we talking about a drop of gas or 30psi?

to change the timing you loosen the distributor and rotate it.

if it starts with starting fluid. then you probably have a gas problem.

RE: Timing issue?
 

About the fuel, I was on the switch and my partner in crime was watching the loosened line, so I am not sure how much pressure we are talking. I wouldn't say it runs on starting fluid, it fires. We have an F150 with fuel delivery problems and we can keep that thing running with spraying carb cleaner into the intake. The Accord fires and won't continue running after I disengage the starer.
Thanks

RE: Timing issue?
 

Timing belt was off by one cog. Fixed that, no change at all. Fires, but will not run. Firing order is correct, plenty of fuel spraying out of banjo bolt when loosened. Loosened bolts on distributor, that thing doesn't adjust. Where do I adjust the distributor timing? This thing is driving me nuts!!!

RE: Timing issue?
 

chk the ground wire at t-stat housing , it is not a timing issue if it were it still would not work when you sprayed carb cleaner in the intakes,, Injectors not coming on ??

RE: Timing issue?
 

Since you were off on the timing belt by one cog, I would do a compression test to see if you bent any valves.

The distributor should be able to rotate a bit when the bolts are loosened. That is how you tune the timing. Go to http://www.dhost.info/accordinfo/ and you can download a shop manual for a 5th gen (94) accord. The setup should be close to your 96 although a couple of sensors were moved starting in the 96 accord.

You should turn the key to the II position and verify that you have 12V to the yel/blk wire going to the distributor. If not, then suspect electrical portion of the ignition switch.

You can also hook a test light up to the connecions going to the fuel injectors and try to start the car. The test light should flash on each one indicating the ECU is opening each injector.

RE: Timing issue?
 

if it starts ok ( according to him ) when spraying carb cleaner in the intake,, IT is NOT a timing issue, nor bent valves, nor an ign switch issue ,

get a noid lite and make sure that the injectors are working properly ..

RE: Timing issue?
 

That's where i would be looking too. Wondering if he had the injector resistors unpluged?

RE: Timing issue?
 

"chk the ground wire at t-stat housing" ; "get a noid lite and make sure that the injectors are working properly" Sorry, but these mean what in "English"? I do have one connector that I cannot find to connect to what I thought was just a temp sensor. It is between the starter and intake manifold. Also, the distributor does not move at all with the three bolts loosened, it just wiggles a little. Thanks

RE: Timing issue?
 

There's probably a bundle of ground wires at the thermostat housing (maybe not all years??) An open connection can cause all kinds of problems like interrupting power to the injectors.

A 'noid light' is a small lamp that plugs in between the injector & it's wiring plug. It's basically a test light that blinks toshow the injector is actually getting power.

If you're troubleshootingthat wiring, be aware that the injectors have one wire hot all the time. The ECU switches the ground side of the circuit to fire the injector.

RE: Timing issue?
 

Thanks, I am going out now to try to figure this wiring situation out. At least you have narrowed it down somewhat. We tried marking all of the wires before we pulled the engine, but there are soooo many and we got frustrated and finally just wanted to get the old engine out of there and now we are paying for it. Oh well....

RE: Timing issue?
 

It's running!!! Thanks I still have some issues, though. I still have a plug that is located on the intake manifold between the distributor and the intake (It is red in the attached photos). I cannot in any way find the plugin for this on any wiring harness.


Also need some wiring help for the Oxygen sensor on the exhaust pipe. Wires got pulled out of the plug, on the Oxygen sensor the wires are two black wires, one white, one green; on the engine side of the plug they are orange/ w black stripe, green/w black stripe, white/w red stripe and yellow/w black stripe.

Thank You all so very much, this thing will be on the road this weekend after sitting for a full year.

RE: Timing issue?
 

How did you get it up and running?

I can't tell which plug is missing on the first pic. Can you tell us the wire colors going to the connector and how many wires?

I see that the EGR, MAP, and the distributor are plugged in.

That sensor looks like the a coolant temperature sensor, Vtec pressure sensor, or the intake air temp sensor. That wire harness also has a bunch of plugs near the distributor has a plug that goes to the VSS on the tranny and can be difficult to see.

If a sensor is unplugged, the check engine light should come on and tell you which circuit is having a problem. Follow the CEL instructions to get any stored codes. http://www.dhost.info/accordinfo/

Good luck.

RE: Timing issue?
 

I got it up and running with your help and a lot of persistance. I found a few vaccum hoses missing, one electrical plug to a box behind the air cleaner, and a big ground wire behind the engine under the intake manifold that I bolted on.

Two of the pictures I have posted are the sensor removed from the engine, the other pic of the engine has the sensor installed. Here is another pic of the sensor that I cannot find the wiring harness that connects to this sensor. As you can see it is located in the intake manifold, just behind the distributor.

Also still need some wiring help for the Oxygen sensor on the exhaust pipe. Wires got pulled out of the plug, on the Oxygen sensor the wires are two black wires, one white, one green; on the engine side of the plug they are orange/ w black stripe, green/w black stripe, white/w red stripe and yellow/w black stripe.

Thanks

RE: Timing issue?
 

You forgot to post a pic on the last poste. Is this the location of the sensor circled in red? If it is, then that is the Vtec oil pressure sensor. Did you put a vtec engine in an accord that originally had a non Vtec engine?

Unless I get under my car, I can't tell exactly where the O2 sensor wires go.


[IMG]local://upfiles/5767/7804E2E7B85546FF9BFA62C4935146F1.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Timing issue?
 

Yes sir, that is it. It is a VTEC replacing a VTEC. I just cannot find the plug for it. Any idea where it goes, maybe I can backtrack. I'll post the oxygen sensor in a new post.

Will be getting at Honda in a little while.

Thanks

RE: Timing issue?
 

I once lost the connector end under the dash on a 94 Jeep Cherokee. I finally found it stuffed behind the carpet by tracing the wiring through theharness diagram. It's tedious but certain, if you trace the wires to the connector.

good luck

RE: Timing issue?
 

Had to take out thermostat houising due to leaking seal. Have a better view of the area around the sensor and still no sign of the electrical connector anywhere. Driving me bananas!