From: bashley101@gmail.com   
      
   On 07/26/2021 05:54 PM, The Real Bev wrote:   
   > 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.   
      
   Ultimately (10 for 10 at least) the solution was replacing the coolant   
   temperature sensor.  The computer didn't see it while it was failing,   
   but ultimately it showed up.  Replaced it ($25 or so mail order) and so   
   far so good.   
      
   I'm sure there's a rational explanation, but I don't want to think about   
   this any more :-(   
      
   Life was easier with thermostats and heat risers.  Plus you could throw   
   one pretty far when you discovered the problem out in the middle of nowhere!   
      
   --   
   Cheers, Bev   
      "When I was a kid my dad once joked that the best way to   
       prevent being on a plane with someone carrying a bomb   
       would be to bring your own bomb and not detonate it.   
       Sounded convincing. What are the odds that two people   
       board, each with a bomb?"                    -- Rowdy   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)