Bill B. Johnson

In article <PTp6b.375143$o%2.169458@sccrnsc02>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> My 1991 Accord, driven by my daughter, suddenly quit running. Just like the
> key being turned off, with no warning, no dash lights came on, no odd
> noises, nothing. It will not start, but cranks normally. I had it towed
> home. I looked through the oil filler cap hole and saw where the camshaft
> sat by way of a mark on the cam casting. I cranked the engine just enough
> to reposition the crank, and checked the cam again. It had obviously
> turned. But I suppose, a few teeth could have sheared off on the belt
> allowing it to slip, so still not sure if the timing belt is the problem.
> When I turn the key on, I hear a hissing noise near the fuel injection unit,
> for a few seconds, and then it stops. As an aside, my daughter hit
> something on the freeway which dented and depressed the plastic rocker panel
> on the passenger side. Is there any fuel line that runs through there?
>
> What next steps can I take to determine why the car will not start (and quit
> so suddenly)?
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I agree that the igniter could be the source of the problem. I also advise
replacing the distributor cap unles you have done it recently. I also
advise replacing all of the easily replac. parts inside the distributor.
It's also possible that the timing belt or chain is broken. You can check
this by taking the distributor cap off. While your daughter cranks the
engine--see if everything is turning normally and operating normally
inside the distributor.

Bill B. Johnson

In article <PTp6b.375143$o%2.169458@sccrnsc02>, "Phil"
<p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote:

> My 1991 Accord, driven by my daughter, suddenly quit running. Just like the
> key being turned off, with no warning, no dash lights came on, no odd
> noises, nothing. It will not start, but cranks normally. I had it towed
> home. I looked through the oil filler cap hole and saw where the camshaft
> sat by way of a mark on the cam casting. I cranked the engine just enough
> to reposition the crank, and checked the cam again. It had obviously
> turned. But I suppose, a few teeth could have sheared off on the belt
> allowing it to slip, so still not sure if the timing belt is the problem.
> When I turn the key on, I hear a hissing noise near the fuel injection unit,
> for a few seconds, and then it stops. As an aside, my daughter hit
> something on the freeway which dented and depressed the plastic rocker panel
> on the passenger side. Is there any fuel line that runs through there?
>
> What next steps can I take to determine why the car will not start (and quit
> so suddenly)?
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Phil

Phil,
I agree that the igniter could be the source of the problem. I also advise
replacing the distributor cap unles you have done it recently. I also
advise replacing all of the easily replac. parts inside the distributor.
It's also possible that the timing belt or chain is broken. You can check
this by taking the distributor cap off. While your daughter cranks the
engine--see if everything is turning normally and operating normally
inside the distributor.