Intermittent Startup Problem - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

complexAF1 · 07-22-2008, 05:56 PM

Ok guys, I have searched the many other threads and nothing seems to really fit my problem exactly. I have a fully build turbocharged LS Motor. I am running a MSD 6 with an external blaster coil. I am also using a AEM standalone EMS.

I recently did the head gasket on the car because I was getting some air in the radiator system. When I took the car around the block for a test drive, on only 10 lbs of boost, the timing belt apparently got loose and the car shut off. I also thought that the distributor gear had gotten messed up. I went and ordered one used off of eBay. When it came, the car would not start after resetting the timing belt and changing the dizzy. It was not getting any spark, so the ICM (module) was swapped from the old dizzy into the one that was just installed. It then started up ok. After letting the car run for a while, I shut it off and tried to restart it up; there was only cranking but no starting…there was no spark again. It would then start up after about 20-30 mins of sitting and cooling.

As to troubleshoot, I bypassed the MSD box and ran it directly to the blaster coil. It started up and then did the same thing when it was hot. I also bought a brand new ICM (Module) to see if that was the problem…the same thing. I even put the old dizzy back in the car and it started up and did the same thing…

Any suggestions as to what else I can try.
Thanks in advance
PS: sorry for the long post

g2nickle · 07-22-2008, 06:22 PM

Are you taking the coil out of the dizzy when the msd coil is hooked up? Ive heard that will keep cooking the coil if you dont....

complexAF1 · 07-22-2008, 06:49 PM

To think of it, when i got the second dizzy, the screw for the rotor was tight to get out so I just broke off the tip to get the MSD cap on and hooked the MSD coil wires to the ICM...would the original coil still get a signal and mess things up?

But it also does the same thing when I put the original dizzy back in which was setup properly for the external coil and the intenal coil was removed...

complexAF1 · 07-23-2008, 09:32 PM

Are there any more suggestions?

complexAF1 · 08-06-2008, 08:39 AM

Ok, for those of you with a similar problem, this may help...after trying many different things to solve this issue...the problem has partially been resolved. I changed the MSD external coil, plugs, wires, temperature sensor, dizzy, cap & rotor and I even thought it was my AEM ECU or the program...
It turned out to be that after troubleshooting all of those items and changing out some...I noticed that the TPS sensor on the throttle body was unplugged. This is because I am getting an erratic idle problem and when the TPS is unplugged, the idle smoothes out but revs a little higher. All of a sudden, the motor will not start when it gets hot. All I have to do is plug it back in to start the engine, then unplug it to get the smooth idle again...

only a quick fix; I guess that I will have to replace the TPS sensor, IAC, or MAp sensor...soon to find out