I posted a question regarding no-spark on a '91 Accord last week.
Problem solved: It was the coil. That is so strange considering the
car ran when parked. I figured a bad coil would cause a breakdown, not
a no-start.
Diagnosis went like this (steps 1-5 done before the last post):
1. Key on causes fuel pump to cycle. Thus, ECM probably okay.
2. Checked spark at a cylinder - nothing.
3. Verified cam was turning through oil filler cap: Cam turns, timing
belt must be okay.
4. Removed cap, checked spark from coil high tension post: Nothing.
5. Checked coil resistance - .7 ohms low side, 12k ohms high side
(disregard last post on this - I measured the high side incorrectly).
Note: These readings are in-spec!
6. Removed ignitor from distributor and performed bench test procedure
from tegger.com - Passed!
7. Bench tested the coil: No spark from high side to ground - BUT,
just enough to cause a mild shock from high side to _positive_ terminal
of low side. Looks like a bad coil.
8. Connected small light bulb in place of the coil and cranked the
engine: Light flashes.
Number 8 was what finally convinced me to replace the coil. Installed
a new one and the engine fired right up. I went ahead and replaced the
cap, rotor, plugs, and wires because their condition undoubtedly caused
the problem to begin with.
Thanks Elle, Jim Yanik, Thom, motsco, and Tegger!
-rev
Jim Yanik - 04 Dec 2006 16:17 GMT
> I posted a question regarding no-spark on a '91 Accord last week.
> Problem solved: It was the coil. That is so strange considering the
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> -rev
If the internal coil insulation breaks down at HV,you could get a good
resistance reading at the low volts any meter uses for measuring
ohms,(IIRC,~2volts)but when the coil pulses,the HV breaks down the
insulation and effectively shorts itself out,thus not enough voltage to
make a spark.
Good to hear your problem is solved!

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Jim Yanik
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