[Mike Diaz]

I'm having a starting problem in my Legend too. It cranks over just fine but it just won't start. My dad seems to think that it's not getting any spark. I'm not sure what to do

Possible reasons:

Main relay
igniter
engine grounds
injectors
timing belt
fuel pump/filter
air filter
Cam/crank position sensor
Ignition switch

With all that, you really should have somebody who knows how to properly diagnose a "crank but no start" problem, but I'll try to guide you through it.

Step 1. Visually inspect all battery, ground, and vacuum lines all around the engine compartment. Pay special attention to the ground on the thermostat housing (under the throttle body), the ground under the passenger side fuel rail cover, the battery connections, and visually check all the fuses in the fuse box under the hood and in the driver side kick panel. Pull the air filter and make sure it isn't clogged. Also, make sure the check engine light appears on the dash as soon as you turn the ignition key to the on position.

Step 2. Pop the two small rubber caps of the front of the upper timing belt covers (or remove the upper timing belt covers completely) and use a long 19mm socket and a ratchet to manually turn the crankshaft pulley. Are the cam gears moving? Yes (go to step 2) No (replace timing belt and pray you didn't bend the valves)

Step 3. You need an in-line spark tester ($15-20 from Matco, or a good parts store), Remove a coil pack, hook one end to the bottom of the coil pack, and feed the other end down to the spark plug (make sure you have everything connected good). Crank the engine over with the key and watch for the light to illuminate. If you don't have spark coming from the coil packs, you should test (in order) the main relay, the igniter, the ignition switch, and the cam/crank position sensor (see below for testing procedures). If you do have spark, remove the spark plugs and see if they are covered in gas or oil and replace them if necessary. If the spark plugs are covered in oil, you should replace the valve cover gaskets and o-rings.

Main relay testing procedure:

1. Remove the main relay.
2. Attach the battery positive to the No. 4 terminal and the battery negative to the No. 8 terminal of the main relay. Then check for continuity between the No. 5 terminal and No. 7 terminal of the main relay.

o If there is continuity, go on to step 3.
o If there is no continuity, replace the relay and retest.

3. Attach the battery positive terminal to the No. 6 terminal and the battery negative terminal to the No. 2 terminal of the main relay. Then check that there is continuity between the No. 1 terminal and No. 3 terminal of the main relay.

o If there is continuity, go on to step 4.
o If there is no continuity, replace the relay and retest.

4. Attach the battery positive terminal to the No. 3 terminal and battery negative terminal to the No. 8 terminal of the main relay. Then check that there is continuity of the main relay. Then check that there is continuity between the No. 5 terminal and No. 7 terminal of the main relay.

o If there is continuity, the relay is OK. If the fuel pump still does not work, go to Main Relay Harness Test.
o If there is no continuity, replace the relay and retest.

Main Relay schematics

Igniter testing procedure
See online service manual: http://www.arnach.net/service/index.php?x=0000&y=1047&z=2690&r=0934

Cam/crank sensor testing procedure (also known as CKY/CYP sensor)

Ignition switch testing procedure
See online service manual: http://www.arnach.net/service/index.php?x=0&y=1019&z=2690&r=0934

Step 4. You need an in-line fuel pressure tester ($100-200 depending on the brand and type of fittings you need). You'll need to make sure the fittings that come with the kit will work with Honda's banjo style fuel fittings. You can test it directly off the top of the fuel filter.

Here's the service procedure from Alldata:

1. Relieve fuel pressure.
2. Remove the service bolt on the fuel filter while holding the banjo bolt with another wrench. Attach the fuel pressure gauge.
3. Start the engine. Measure the fuel pressure with the engine idling and vacuum hose of the pressure regulator disconnected. If the engine will not start turn the ignition switch on, wait for two seconds, turn it off then back on again and read the fuel pressure. Pressure should be: 265 - 314 kPa (2.7 - 3.2 kg/cm2, 38 - 46 psi)
4. Reconnect vacuum hose to the pressure regulator. Pressure should be: 206 - 255 kPa (2.1 - 2.6 kg/cm2, 31 - 37 psi) If the fuel pressure is not as specified, first check the fuel pump. If the pump is OK, check the following:

o If the pressure is higher than specified, inspect for:
o Pinched or clogged fuel return hose or piping.
o Faulty pressure regulator .
o If the pressure is lower than specified, inspect for:
o Clogged fuel filter.
o Faulty pressure regulator.
o Leakage in the fuel line.

Here's the picture

Step 5. If you have fuel and spark, it's time to test the fuel injectors. Here's the testing procedure from Alldata.

Step 6. You missed something, start over again.

 

[Mike Diaz]

If anybody has anything to add to the diy, please post it in here, and I will add it.

 

[Mike Diaz]

UPDATE:
added ignition switch as a possible problem.
Added direct links to online service manual pages for the igniter and ignition switch.

 

[sr5guy]

Here's the best main relay repair info I've seen so far.

http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm

-Matt

 

[Insomniac119]

good stuff my friend

 

[PHILLz..91..L3G3ND]

I NEED A MAP SENSER ANY WAY TO TELL IF THAT THE PROB........

 

[Mike Diaz]

Retrieve the code from the ECU.

If the computer shows code 3, here is the diagnosis

If the computer shows code 5, here is the diagnosis

 

[Telion]

Very nice.

 

[91sedan]

I figured out my problem, there was no compression in the driver side cylinder head, bent intake and exhaust valves and the car wasn't timed properly it's gonna cost me $1500 to fix it :thumbsdow

 

[Blackeagle229]

Mike,

Thanks for the DIY.

I'm trying to run down a crank-not start problem, so I'm finding your info helpful.

After re-reading your procedure and going out to my car and trying to put it to use, I noticed that my check engine light DOES NOT come on when I try and start the car.

What's that telling me?

Thanks for the help/knowledge.
Henry

 

[Mike Diaz]

Mike,

Thanks for the DIY.

I'm trying to run down a crank-not start problem, so I'm finding your info helpful.

After re-reading your procedure and going out to my car and trying to put it to use, I noticed that my check engine light DOES NOT come on when I try and start the car.

What's that telling me?

Thanks for the help/knowledge.
Henry

It happened to me once. I had replaced head gaskets and pulled the wiring harness from the engine compartment. When I reinstalled it, 2 of the main plugs by the abs pump are interchangeable and I had them swapped, which was causing no check engine light upon start up.

It's either that, or somebody may have pulled the bulb previously. Did you try extracting codes? If you used a jumper wire, and you still don't get a check engine light, the bulb is gone. Otherwise, you may have an actual computer problem.

 

[Neil4Speed]

In the case that someones main relay is going (common problem in this situation), this was a very good price for a new MR

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...tegoryZ33553QQihZ003QQitemZ130127934236QQrdZ1

 

[Alperovich]

great write up mike!!!

Here's the best main relay repair info I've seen so far.

http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm

-Matt

2nd best write up on main relay repair

http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=106246

 

[94legendcpe]

My 94 LS crapped out on me last night in a parking lot. It's fired up flawlessly up until last night. I haven't made any changes under the hood, and I've checked all the vacuum lines and ground wires mentioned in the thread.

If it were the main relay, I wouldn't hear any noise (clicking) when I tried to fire it up, would I?

I haven't tried to listen for the fuel pump, but with the abrupt crapping out, I'm really hoping its something simple.

Is there anything else I should be looking for here? I just picked up the car about a month ago, and its purred like a kitten since I got it.

 

[Mike Diaz]

My 94 LS crapped out on me last night in a parking lot. It's fired up flawlessly up until last night. I haven't made any changes under the hood, and I've checked all the vacuum lines and ground wires mentioned in the thread.

If it were the main relay, I wouldn't hear any noise (clicking) when I tried to fire it up, would I?

I haven't tried to listen for the fuel pump, but with the abrupt crapping out, I'm really hoping its something simple.

Is there anything else I should be looking for here? I just picked up the car about a month ago, and its purred like a kitten since I got it.

Or you could read the thread. It explains almost every common problem with the Legend.

 

[Mike Diaz]

hey, thanks! i've been suffering some problems with my Legend..

Did you get her fixed up? What's it doing?

 

[92Akura]

Ok everyone, today is one of those days... Earlier I found this site because I was looking for an ignition switch problem that just happened to me earlier today. My Legend was working fine this morning and at lunch, but when I went to crank it after work the ignition started acting funny. basically the car wont turn any dash lights (batt., srs, etc. on) the on position but if I crank it all the way with the clutch off the dash comes on! if I push the clutch in the car starts, but when I let go of the key, off again!?? can you all help.

 

[Mike Diaz]

Ok everyone, today is one of those days... Earlier I found this site because I was looking for an ignition switch problem that just happened to me earlier today. My Legend was working fine this morning and at lunch, but when I went to crank it after work the ignition started acting funny. basically the car wont turn any dash lights (batt., srs, etc. on) the on position but if I crank it all the way with the clutch off the dash comes on! if I push the clutch in the car starts, but when I let go of the key, off again!?? can you all help.

That sounds like the electrical part of the ignition switch.

You do not have to replace the part of the ignition switch that is keyed. You only replace the electrical part that is held on the back by two screws.

The replacement procedure can be found in the Online Service Manual which is in this forum. Access the manual and go to page 23-86 for test and install procedures.

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/

Go to the above URL: for Acura Carland, put in the correct car/model info and select combination switch. That will take you to a diagrahm with a number of switches. I believe that item 11 is what you want. Part number 351390-SP0-305. List for $65.85 & their price $52.68 (plus shipping). It is not called an "ignition switch", but the position and appearance looks right. Maybe someone can verify the part number. I no longer have the receipt for the one that I bought.

Howard

 

[mmmchickenboy]

That sounds like the electrical part of the ignition switch.

A quick way to ensure it's the ign switch is to jumper +12v to the starter solenoid fuse terminal in the drivers kick panel. Assuming the ign key is in the ON position and the dash lights are illuminated, it should fire right up.

 

[VDM GS]

I noticed you advised checking the fuses under the hood Mike, but I just wanted to add that today I had an engine-will-rotate-but-will-not-start problem and it turned out to be the fuel pump fuse under the dash! Easily fixed, thank goodness..