Quick answer. This 1998 Honda Accord EX was running earlier that day. Then it would crank and act like it wanted to start, but it would not. Our tech tested it and found low compression on all cylinders. An engine needs compression to run. The diagnosis was one hour, $125.
Key Points
- The Accord was running earlier the same day.
- It cranked and wanted to start, but would not.
- Our tech found low compression on all cylinders.
- Low compression on every cylinder points inside the engine, not at a sensor.
- The diagnosis was $125 for one hour.
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Running in the Morning, Dead at Night
The owner said the car was running earlier that day. Now it would crank and try to catch, but it would not start.
That is a frustrating kind of no start. The battery is fine. The starter works. The engine turns over. It just will not fire.
What Our Tech Found
Our tech hooked a jump pack to the battery. Weak cranking can throw off a test, so the battery side was covered.
Then our tech tested compression. Every cylinder was low.
An engine works by squeezing air and fuel before it lights it. If the cylinders cannot hold that squeeze, there is nothing to light. It cranks, it tries, and it does not run.
One low cylinder points at that one cylinder. Low on all of them points at something they share. That is a bigger question, and it is inside the engine.
The Job on One Card
1998 Honda Accord EX, October 3
Came in with: no start. Was running earlier that day. Wants to start but won't.
Tech found: low compression on all cylinders.
Work done: one hour of no start diagnosis.
Cost: $125.
We are not going to guess at the cause on a blog. The record says low compression on all cylinders, and that is where it stops.
Why This Test Saves Money
Without the compression test, the next step is easy to guess. New plugs. A fuel pump. A crank sensor. All of those are cheaper than engine work, and none of them would fix low compression.
A $125 test told the owner where the real problem was before they spent money on parts that would not help.
It also gives them what they need for the hard question. On a car this old, is it worth fixing? That is the owner's call, and now they can make it with a real number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my car crank but not start?
It needs spark, fuel and compression. On this Accord, compression was low on all cylinders, so the engine could not fire.
What does low compression on all cylinders mean?
Something all the cylinders share is not sealing. It points inside the engine. A mechanic should test further before quoting a repair.
How much is a no start diagnosis?
This one was one hour, $125. You get the finding before you pay for parts.
Is a 1998 Accord worth fixing with low compression?
It depends on the repair cost and the car. Get the real number first, then decide. Our post on whether a car is worth fixing can help.
Supercanic tip: If your car cranks fine but will not start, do not keep cranking it. Long cranking drains the battery and can flood the engine. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Cranks But Won't Start?
We test spark, fuel and compression before anybody names a part.
