From: bashley101@gmail.com   
      
   On 07/08/2021 04:07 PM, Paul in Houston TX wrote:   
   > The Real Bev wrote:   
   >> On 07/07/2021 03:57 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:   
   >>> The Real Bev   wrote:   
   >>>> On 07/07/2021 02:15 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:   
   >>>>> When it happens, is there spark?   
   >>>>   
   >>>> Doesn't seem to be.   
   >>>   
   >>> Measure it!  Make sure!   
   >>>   
   >>>>> When it happens, is there any voltage on coil primary?   
   >>>>   
   >>>> He hasn't found the coil yet :-(   
   >>>   
   >>> While he's looking, have him locate the TDC sensor and/or crankshaft   
   >>> position   
   >>> sensors.  Those also need measuring.   
   >>>   
   >>> Maybe there's no spark, maybe there is poor spark, maybe there is   
   >>> plenty of   
   >>> spark but the timing is way off.   
   >>   
   >> It runs fine once it starts.  Tonight it started hot with no problem.   
   >> Drove home, turned it off, tried to start it again immediately.  CURSES!   
   >>   
   >> He says this is a Honda trait -- intermittent failure.  If there was a   
   >> complete failure you'd have a shot at diagnosing the problem!   
   >>   
   >> Glad I bough a Toyota.   
   >   
   > Sounds like a cam or crank sensor going bad.   
   > Pointed out by Scott, too.   
      
   I've been looking at failure symptoms at various sites.  Poor running of   
   one sort or another seems to be indicative, with intermittent starting   
   down near the bottom.  Of the two, the crank sensor seems to be closer   
   to reality.   
      
   Further tests -- Fine spark on all plugs.  Starting fluid does nothing   
   except ONCE it made the engine race when squirted directly into the   
   intake tube rather than at the air cleaner.  Except for that, no   
   reaction.  Tapping various things under the dashboard sometimes allows   
   starting, as does tapping various things under the hood.  No   
   repeatability.  Sensors are too expensive to buy on spec :-(   
      
   I wish I trusted even the GOOD mechanic, who was unable to make my 88   
   Caddy stop trying to kill me with its auto-throttle.  He said the only   
   thing left to try was a throttle/computer part that wasn't even   
   obtainable from junkyards.  Only solution was crushing, for which the   
   State of Kalifornia paid me $1K.   
      
   --   
   Cheers, Bev   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)