Manager Forum

Customer was driving, heard "ticking noise". Noise went away, then started ticking again. Vehicle began to lose power, then died. Towed in, won't start.

CEL came on just before it died, no codes, and no freeze frame info.

Checked timing belt, okay (timing marks on). No problem with immobilizer key. It's getting fuel, but no spark.

Talked to Honda service department shop Foreman, and they said they've never come across this before.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Id triple check immobilizer

The ticking noise seems like a relay. I'd look at the ignition relay and test it for functionality. Could be a failed PCM. I think immobilizer will cut crank. Look for an aftermarket remote starter install and if there is check to see if the installer removed the key reader and taped a key to it.

Okay, here's where we're at (as relayed from Mark, to me, a non-tech). Found blown ignition coil fuse. Replaced fuse, but kept blowing. Found skip in cylinder 5. Checked cylinder 5, and found spark plug blew out of head, heated coil, coil shorted out (melted), and blew fuse.

Interesting never seen that before. Were the other spark plugs loose?

The only time I've seen a coil melted like that was when the pcm kept the driver on all the time and melted it down from current. But it didn't blow out the plug if I recall.

Mark says the other two front plugs are okay, he's going to check the rear ones in a bit. He also said, once the plug got blown out, it was the exhaust heat that shorted out the coil, then melted it.

MMMMMMMMMMMM, Sounds possible, seen strange things before. Hope there is enough room to install a Heli Coil.

Mark said it was tight, but there was enough room for the heli coil.

For the record, all the other plugs were good. Just waiting on the new coil, which should be here any minute, and hopefully all will be well.

Uh oh, not looking good, to be continued...

Four bent valves, cylinder 5. Vehicle had over 85K, so we replaced timing belt, water pump... Mark said, what he didn't replace he cleaned up good, sooooooo all is well!