NSX wont start??

Zishan · 17 January 2003

Hey guys, I have a serious problem. I decided to bring my car to work, and when I was going to lunch, the car wouldn't start. I tried having it jump started but, the engine still wont catch. The battery shows charged, so I dont know what else it could be. The gas is full, and its a 93 manuel with 45k miles. Any ideas? I'm in the process of having it towed to my mechanic.
Also, this is what was wrong with it before: http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/007449.html

I checked all the fuses too.
Thanks
Z

Lud · 17 January 2003

Did you ever resolve the previous problem?

Do you have an aftermarket alarm installed?

Zishan · 17 January 2003

I pulled the TCS fuse and the car was running normal. Then when I was taking it to work, the engine bogged down again. But the car was starting just fine. I'm thinking it's some sort of electrical problem because when the car bogs and the RPM's drop, the needle drops and going back up very fast. Maybe a loose ground to the engine?
No aftermarket alarm or electrical components besides an Alpine CD player.

Larry Bastanza · 17 January 2003

This is a pretty tough diagnosis from the forum!! It can be many things. Have you tried to pull the codes?

If electrical, I would take a WAG it may be the crank position sensor, but this is pure speculation without any trouble codes as a guide. I only mention this since I have heard this unit can be problematic.

Sounds like your plan is right, to get it to a qualified shop.

Good Luck,
LarryB

Zishan · 17 January 2003

Thanks for the diagnosis. So far, my friends have said it could be:
1) Ignition Related
2) Fuel Pump
3) Loose Engine Ground
4) And now Crank Position Sensor

Any thing else my mechnic should look at? I'm not very mechanical at all, that's why I ask!
And again, thanks
Z

Biaggi · 17 January 2003

I don't think it would be a loose engine groundwire.. Because my wife's Accord had a loose engine groundwire and it started but ran rough plus when applying the brakes, all the engine check lights in the console stayed on....

Good luck, though....

------------------
Biaggi
92 NSX #483
94 CBR900RR

flaminio · 17 January 2003

I had this happen to my car once. I tried everything -- even got AAA out to take a stab at it. The thing would not start.

So, I called a local flat-bed towing company, and hauled it over to Los Gatos Acura. We unloaded it, and ...

... turned the key ...

VROOM!!! It fired right up. The techs did a once-over on the usual suspects, and found nothing wrong at all. That was about a year and a half ago, and it hasn't failed me since. I still have no idea what was wrong, but I figure bouncing around on the flat-bed must've fixed it.

Good luck with yours...

-Bob ('94 #496)

Lud · 17 January 2003

Assuming you haven't changed anything recently and this is an all-of-a-sudden problem, my money is on either ignition or fuel pump, in that order.

Zishan · 17 January 2003

My friend thinks it the fuel pump. He had me turn the key while he tried listening for the fuel pump, but he said he didn't hear anything. Still waiting on the flat bed so we can get it to the mechanics.

Lud · 17 January 2003

You should be able to hear the fuel pump as soon as you turn the key to the "on" position - before you turn it all the way to "start". You can hear it from inside the car. If you don't, then you may indeed have isolated it.

Larry Bastanza · 17 January 2003

Make sure they check the fuel pump relay, before changing the pump. This has also been a problem I have heard about. It is behind the seats about center if I recall.

HTH,
LarryB

kpond · 18 January 2003

It is your ignition switch. I'll bet money on it. Any takers? (Seriously, from your description, I'm virtually certain that's what it is... )

Eliminate this before looking elsewhere... and I don't think you'll have to.

nsx2000 · 18 January 2003

did you get cracking sound from the starter?

[This message has been edited by nsx2000 (edited 17 January 2003).]

pok8rok8 · 18 January 2003

I think its your ignitor....and with that problem with the needle going up and then down then back to normal....could be alternator....get it checked....looks like electrical....I have a honda accord with a system in it....when ever my alternator goes or the component inside the alternator i forgot the name....anyway....the electrical will screw up....and as for the car not starting....it might be the MAIN RELAY....very common on the civics to go down.....or the ignitor.....if you roll the car and get in and start it.....if it starts....i think it might be the relay.....MAIN relay.....

Mike

Larry Bastanza · 18 January 2003

Mike,

Good point......

LarryB

Zishan · 18 January 2003

Ok, got the NSX towed yesterday and I'm going to go play with it this afternoon with my mechanic.

I didn't hear a cracking sound? I'm not sure what you mean by that? It is turning over like it will start, but it just wont catch. ??

I also believe it's some sort of electrical problem because the RPM needle, when the car bogs, drops and goes back up extremely fast, almost like it has an electrical glitch.

How could it be the alternator? The battery shows fully charged with plenty of juice.

Again, thanks for everyones support......
Regards
Z

pok8rok8 · 18 January 2003

The alternator has three things inside it....the coils....the rectifier I believe and a internal regulator. This regulator might be the problem. The alternator will charge...often times not....but the regulator is what the problem is when it gets hot....see most components are better if its separated..keeps the coils cool along with rectifier and regulator. My system needs that because of the 2000 watts i have in my car. I believe that you might have two things going wrong. Ignitor or Main relay......and your regulator. I could be wrong since I dont have an NSX yet...but soon.....heheheh....all my parts on my alternator are separated, and i have no problem now.....maybe your alternator is just getting old or is problematic.....doesnt hurt to get it checked.

How could it be the alternator? The battery shows fully charged with plenty of juice.

Again, thanks for everyones support......
Regards
Z[/B][/QUOTE]

kpond · 18 January 2003

Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch. Ignition switch.

matteni · 18 January 2003

I had this exact thing happen to me on a 76' 930 Turbo I purchased. I was taking it to see a friend for the first time and pulled into a church parking lot for a little last min. detailing. I couldn't get it to crank afterwards for the life of me and ended up having it flat bedded home.

My mechanic had to bring an electrical specialist and literally had the entire electrical system exposed.

After MANY hours of working - they found a well hidden micro switch under the dash that cut off ignition. Basically a security system I didn't know of.

Don't think this is your problem per say but maybe someone reading this some day may have this problem.

------------------
Nick M

91' Red/Black with Many Mods
99' Honda Odyssey with Many Kids

[This message has been edited by matteni (edited 18 January 2003).]

Jonathan · 18 January 2003

Does this sound familiar?

http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000804.html

Zishan · 18 January 2003

The alternator has three things inside it....the coils....the rectifier I believe and a internal regulator. This regulator might be the problem. The alternator will charge...often times not....but the regulator is what the problem is when it gets hot....see most components are better if its separated..keeps the coils cool along with rectifier and regulator. My system needs that because of the 2000 watts i have in my car. I believe that you might have two things going wrong. Ignitor or Main relay......and your regulator. I could be wrong since I dont have an NSX yet...but soon.....heheheh....all my parts on my alternator are separated, and i have no problem now.....maybe your alternator is just getting old or is problematic.....doesnt hurt to get it checked.

- Thanks for breaking it down for me. I will let my mechanic know so we can check these things first.

After MANY hours of working - they found a well hidden micro switch under the dash that cut off ignition. Basically a security system I didn't know of.

You scared me with that first line.

Does this sound familiar? http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000804.html

Mine doesn't seem to change. Everytime I turn the key, the starter turns but the engine wont catch.

pok8rok8 · 18 January 2003

also check timing belt if you havent changed in a while

coz if its broken it will crank but wont catch.....

lets hope its not that

PettittsAuto · 18 January 2003

I would check for a bad electrical portion of the ignition switch. If it tries to start when cranking and the dies when you let the key return from crank to on then that is your problem. Very easy to fix and the part is not that much, around $65.00. Just a thought.

Bruce

Zishan · 21 January 2003

Thanks to all those that helped. I finally got the NSX back home. The problem turned out to be a bad main pump relay. I couldn't get one from the dealership, so I borrowed one from Brad's shop, AutoLogic. Great guys btw! Anyways, plugged it in and VRROOM!!

The relay is only about $60-$70 bucks!!
Thanks again all for the support!!
Z

Kirthasa · 21 January 2003

Exact same thing happened to me a few months ago. I'm sorry I didn't see your post in time - I might have been able to save you some time. BTW, I've heard of this happenening several times lately, so it's something that all owners of the early NSX should know about.

NSX wont start??

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