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Hi all. I am brand new to this forum (1st post). I am sorry to bust right in with my problems like this, but I am posting this kind of as a last resort. Also, note that I am not much of a mechanic or even "car guy", and what is described below is even a bit of a stretch for me...

I have a 2005 Civic EX coupe that, about a year and a half ago had overheating problems. Took it to a mechanic and they found indications of coolant in the exhaust. Said it was a bad head gasket. At that point I made the really bad decision (in retrospect) of trying to fix it myself.

Over the course of the last year (or more) the car has been in my garage. I have been tinkering with it on and off (off more than on) in my free time. FINALLY, after over a year of the car being out of commission, I completed the entire head gasket replacement process. The car cranked but wouldn't start. I second-guessed myself on whether or not I got the timing right, so I carefully went back through that process again - timing belt off, cam sprocket lined up, crank pulley lined up, belt on, turned the crank two full turns back to starting position while checking for compression in cylinder 1 and realignment with cam at TDC. Put it back together a second time.

Still cranked but didn't fire.

Believing that I got the timing right this time, I began some diagnostics. Here is what I know (or at least think I know)...

- Charged battery, seems to hold the charge. Engine cranks normally, just no start.
- CEL comes on when key is put in but then goes off after a while. Pocketscan reader detects no codes.
- Looked back over all of the connectors that I could visually see and don't see anything disconnected... think I got them all.
- Compression is there in all 4 cylinders (maybe ~140 psi when cranking)
- Used a spark plug indicator light thingy to check spark. Light didn't come on for cylinder 1. Saw clear signal for cylinders 2 and 3, and cylinder 4 was iffy (light might have flickered once over multiple attempts).
- Main woven ground wire that goes from left side of block area to frame in front was secure and shows electrical continuity with the rest of the frame.
- Pulled fuel line from intake and fuel pulses out everywhere when cranking (so I have fuel at least to there).

Some sketchy things (maybe)...

- Couldn't visually see sparks in any of the spark plugs when pulling out one at a time (but it was kind of daylight and I don't knowhow obvious it should be)
- Fuel dampness/wetness was not apparent visually or to my sense of smell when looking at the spark plugs after some cranking. Again not sure if it should be.
- Green immobilizer key-shaped indicator comes on when I put the key in, blinks, and then goes off (which I think is usual). However, when I crank the engine, the light flickers on along with the cranking (which I am not sure is usual).
- Neither banging my head against the wall and swearing nor asking my car very politely to start seem to help.

Basically I'm out of ideas. I am looking for any advice, things I can try, or something maybe that jumps out at you from my description above. Sorry the post is so long... But thanks to all in advance for any info you can provide!!

 
Rep Power: 284

Is your crank shaft position sensor installed and functioning properly, if it's not functioning the engine will turn over but not start despite having good fuel and air because the ecu won't time the spark properly. It's kind of like having your timing off, without bending valves.

 
Rep Power: 811

do an idiot check and make sure all the sensors are plugged in (injectors, coils, throttle body sensors, crank and cam sensors, etc). is there an engine light that you can get a code from? the other problem is it sat for so long without being started. did you drain all the old gas out? new spark plugs? the immobilizer is also a problem but shouldnt flicker (only blink) if there was a problem reading the key. if key is not recognized, the car will crank forever without starting because fuel and ignition are cut off. as far as i know, the green key light should come on when you turn the car to ON position and then go off. after turning the car off, it should flash 5 times.

 
Rep Power: 312

It's very possible that your injectors plugged up or got dirty from sitting for a long period of time. You probably should get them cleaned. Is the fuel pump turning on? The spark from testing the plugs should be pretty obvious even in daylight because it makes noise when sparking. Umm.... Idiot check as gearbox mentioned. You need to find out if your missing spark or fuel to continue on with the advice to be honest. TDC and crank sensors should be in place... tensioner grenade pin out... there really isnt much that should be preventing the car from starting, especially if it's cranking.

 
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Thanks. I remember plugging this thing back in. Also, wouldn't a code show up if this was the problem? (Don't know... just asking).

 
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Thanks for the reply!

Did a basic look over of all of the connectors I could see. No codes from the engine light.

I didn't drain the gas or change the spark plugs. Those are two fairly cheap/easy things I should probably try. Is it a common thing for spark plugs go bad after 1.5 years of no use?

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the advice tbohar... The last sentence was encouraging

(Noob alert) how could I check to see if the fuel pump is on? I did pull a fuel line from the intake region and had gasoline pulse out of it when I crank. So I think that means the pump is working.

The fact that you say I should be able to see/hear an obvious spark when looking at the plugs makes me think that this could be the issue. I wasn't able to see or hear a spark for any of them. Could be a new set of plugs in my near future.

I believe the sensors are connected and situated properly, the time belt has tension, etc.

Thanks to everyone so far for all the advice. I have some things to chew on here...

 
Rep Power: 312

I guess it's a small chance but the cylinder walls could be full of coolant from removing the head but it shoudl start after cranking a bunch of times... how did you check for spark? Just to make sure you did it correctly. Your supposed to remove the spark plug put it back on the boot hold it close to a piece of metal and crank the car.

 
Rep Power: 0

lol check over the ground wires that are connected to the cylonder head and manifold. put a little oil in each cylinder to help create pressure then open throttle wide open and start cranking. its hasnt ran for awhile

 
Rep Power: 0

First thing I would is spray the crank sensors and cam connector with electronic spray and put some electronic grease on it. and try to start it.
If no dice I would go to like your local orileys auto parts store and rent a code reader unless you have one. Because when you unhook the battery you wipe it clean and your car has not started to trigger the check light . One other thing did you remove the relay or any fuses to relief the fuel pressure?

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok... I'm not getting any spark. Tried placing the plugs on the frame, and then putting a screw driver into the spark plug wire tube and cranking while holding it close to a ground. No spark.

Obviously it's not worth debugging anything else until I at least figure the spark issue out. Any suggestions on the next step?

 
Rep Power: 0

Like I said try to spray the crank shaft sensor and make sure everything looks right. IF no spark then its the crank shaft sensor