turn key, engine cranks and start to turn over, but will not start

Asked by strike5223 Nov 28, 2015 at 02:54 PM about the 1997 Honda Civic del Sol 2 Dr S Coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

115k miles, was fine yesterday

3 Answers

20

Mine did that, turns out rain leaked down from windshield cowl into passenger side, so minor never noticed but got into computer that is mounted inside car on passenger side under right side, pulled computer out and checked, board was fried. Replaced with used one from ebay, still would not start. Finally after reading so much I could be a mechanic now, learned if distributor was sending signal to computer when water fried that distributor probably fried as well. Ordered complete distributor assembly (came with everything, got on Amazon for $100, autozone wanted over $300) after put new distributor assembly in, cranked right up. Leak was so small carpet was barely wet so I never noticed. I had just moved from CA where it hardly ever rains, and never had problem till moved to PA, first time it rained car shut off while driving and would not restart. Replaced so many parts before realizing computer fried. Took cover off computer and it smelled like burnt electrical wires plus there was a hole in the green board with black burnt marks. Could not smell till took cover off computer. Computer is very easy to replace, just unplug old one and plug in new one. Have to make sure you get exact one for replacement and model numbers are written on it, you must match numbers identically and make sure its for correct transmission type. When getting new distributor assembly, a lot don't come with coil and the igniter so make sure to get one that does plus rotor and cap, but I tried replacing rotor and cap first and did not work. So if your Honda del sol ever just cuts out while driving in rain, or wont start after rain, check computer first. Depending on if signal was sent from computer to distributor when fried, sometimes distributor will still be ok. I would try computer replacement first, then if no start replace entire distributor assembly with coil and ignitor and housing etc. My spark plug wires and spark plugs were ok.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Civic del Sol

Looking for a Used Civic del Sol in your area?

CarGurus has thousands of nationwide listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Nick Mullins
    Reputation
    110
  • #2
    Joel Mashburn
    Reputation
    80
  • #3
    GuruB6C64
    Reputation
    60
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Mazda MX-5 Miata
7 Great Deals out of 59 listings starting at $8,500
Used Honda Civic
198 Great Deals out of 4,043 listings starting at $1,900
Used Honda Prelude
3 listings
Used Chevrolet Corvette
22 Great Deals out of 1,076 listings starting at $15,000
Used Honda Civic Coupe
14 Great Deals out of 286 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Celica
4 listings
Used Toyota Tacoma
50 Great Deals out of 1,081 listings starting at $9,998
Used Ford Mustang
57 Great Deals out of 1,352 listings starting at $4,995
Used Toyota Supra
3 Great Deals out of 73 listings starting at $49,777

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.