96 ek civic cranking but not starting

**Chriskoss** · 12-07-2015 02:43 PM

hey friends,
my old man's 96 civic sedan isn't starting
It stopped mid-drive one day and conked out.. and hasn't started again
its cranking over but not firing up
I took the distributor apart and cleaned contact points and also the spark plugs etc
attached is a video what is happening
any chance anyone knows what could be the main problems?
when i took off the distributor cap and cranked the engine, the rotor didn't seem to be turning over at all
thanks in advanced https://youtu.be/Tb8KuRNFhPc

**bennjamin** · 12-07-2015 02:48 PM

Stop trying to start it.. you might fry the distributor coil or igniter - or both.

In that context check or replace both the dizzy igniter and coil....both are prone to fail. Also look at cleaning/resoldering your main fuel relay

**ECU-MAN** · 12-07-2015 03:34 PM

sounds like a snapped timing belt

**Chriskoss** · 12-07-2015 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ECU-MAN

sounds like a snapped timing belt

Thanks for the feedback thus far Ben and ecu.
Ecu do you think that sound is different to a normal cranking sound? It does from memory sound a tad High pitch than normal.
I'll try replace the ignition coil inside the distributor then if that doesn't work the entire distributor.. And if that doesn't work do you guys think it could possibly be a snapped belt?
Thanks again

**rc_** · 12-07-2015 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Chriskoss

Thanks for the feedback thus far Ben and ecu.
Ecu do you think that sound is different to a normal cranking sound? It does from memory sound a tad High pitch than normal.
I'll try replace the ignition coil inside the distributor then if that doesn't work the entire distributor.. And if that doesn't work do you guys think it could possibly be a snapped belt?
Thanks again

Yes, cranking sounds different to normal. Doesn't sound like its igniting at all In the video which can indicate belt failure (amongst other things) or could have skipped a tooth but you normally hear some sounds from attempted ignition or compression pumping out intake/exhaust if the valves are opening at the wrong times.

Why not check the timing belt first before buying parts? Very easy, either take off the timing belt cover or take off the distributor and see if the cam is turning will tell you pretty quickly if there is a major issue.

**Spoon-Accord** · 13-07-2015 02:43 AM

Open the oil cap, get a little torch and shine into the hole, get someone to crank the engine and see if anything moves in that hole. If nothing moves in there whilst cranking, then you sir have diagnosed your car with a snapped timing belt

**Chriskoss** · 20-07-2015 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Spoon-Accord

Open the oil cap, get a little torch and shine into the hole, get someone to crank the engine and see if anything moves in that hole. If nothing moves in there whilst cranking, then you sir have diagnosed your car with a snapped timing belt

Hi guys
So I took off the rocker cover and cranked the engine, nothing moved
However I also took off the timing belt cover and the timing belt didn't look snapped?
Bit confused, or could it be snapped down the bottom where I couldn't see?
Thanks again
Chris

**bennjamin** · 12-07-2015 06:36 PM

If the rotor isnt turning but the motor is - the camshaft isnt rotating either and as ECUMAN said your timing belt has snapped. Take off your cam cover to confirm

**Spoon-Accord** · 13-07-2015 02:41 AM

Timing belt has snapped, only thing spinning is that crank
better get that car to a mechanic and get it sorted.

**rc_** · 22-07-2015 12:33 PM

Sounds like a good plan. A mechanic should be able to diagnose it pretty quickly.

**Chriskoss** · 30-07-2015 01:15 PM

Hi guys just an update on what's been done and whether or not you guys can help me would be much appreciated.
We fixed the camshaft not turning over problem as a pulley lock pin was snapped (seems whoever previously changed the timing belt did a crappy job) now there is good compression in cylinder 1.. But now cylinders 2-4 all have worsening compression (175 for first.. 75 less.. Etc) so now apparently it could be a valve problem or something. So now to clarify camshaft turns but has bad compression... Anyone else had this problem? Thankyou

**rc_** · 30-07-2015 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Chriskoss

Hi guys just an update on what's been done and whether or not you guys can help me would be much appreciated.
We fixed the camshaft not turning over problem as a pulley lock pin was snapped (seems whoever previously changed the timing belt did a crappy job) now there is good compression in cylinder 1.. But now cylinders 2-4 all have worsening compression (175 for first.. 75 less.. Etc) so now apparently it could be a valve problem or something. So now to clarify camshaft turns but has bad compression... Anyone else had this problem? Thankyou

Best case, Incorrectly set the cam timing.

More likely - Probably bent valves since it failed while you were driving and then has been cranked with a failed cam drive key.