# Why my car won't start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** prelude, honda\
**Created:** [September 10, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412 "2009-09-10T17:55:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![calvinharris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@calvinharris5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/calvinharris5)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412/1 "2009-09-10T17:55:12Z")

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Right now my Honda will not start. I took it to a shop specialize in Honda repairs. When it gets there, they said that it was nothing wrong with it because it cranked every time. I picked it up and droved it home. After letting it sit for three or four days, I tried to crank it and it would not start again. I primed it with gas and it still did not start. I installed a new rotary cap and button.There was no spark coming from the plugs . THat was the same way it was acting before i took it to the Honda shop. I am puzzled. What is wrong? My battery is new

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412/2 "2009-09-10T19:01:09Z")

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What year is this Honda?  
How many miles are on it?  
How’s the maintenance history?

Unfortunately there are a list of possible causes for no spark. A bad coil, a bad ignition wire (coil to distributor), a toasted wire end, a bad cam position sensor. Someone has to look at this hands-on.

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412/3 "2009-09-10T19:32:03Z")

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Check to see if the ignition system is getting power to it using a test light probe. If that is ok then you need to see if the crank sensor is working like should be. If I remember correctly Hondas have a common problem with a relay that may tie to the ignition area or the ECU power so that may be a problem if that is correct.

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**Author:** ![calvinharris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@calvinharris5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/calvinharris5)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-my-car-wont-start/36412/4 "2009-09-10T20:50:49Z")

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the Honda Prelude is a 1988 model. I recently changed engine. I believe it had about 100k miles when purchased. Thanks, I will follow those leads.