I just bought a 98 GX which was not running. The previous owner said that the fuel pressure regulator had a ripped diaphragm, which I verified. I replaced the FPR with a new one from Honda ($1500
), but it still won't start. It sounds like it tries to start, but never quite does.
I filled the fuel tank so that is not the problem.
I checked for error codes from the PCM, but there are none (although the computer may have been reset when I disconnected the battery). Still, I checked them again after many attempts to start it, and there are no codes.
I can hear the solenoid valve shuttle in the tank when I turn the ignition on, and some clicks from under the hood. However, the solenoid valve must shut off while I'm trying to start it, because it doesn't make any noise when I turn the key off. What I mean is that I turn the key on and it clicks. I try to crank it and then release the key back to the run position. Then I turn the key off and there is no click. Then I turn the key back to run and it clicks again. Is this normal?
I disconnected the outlet fitting from the FPR, and verified that there is fuel pressure at that point after cranking. The car sat for a couple of years, but I can't believe that all four injectors could have gone bad.
I haven't checked yet for spark at the plugs, but since it tries to start, it seems like it must be getting a spark.
It seems to me like the PCM gets unhappy while the car is trying to start and closes a valve or disables the injectors to prevent it from starting. But, you would think that this would result in an error code.
Does anyone have some suggestions about how to further troubleshoot this with a scan tool and ordinary mechanics tools? I want to do everything I can before I take it to a Honda dealer.
Thank you,
Jay

I filled the fuel tank so that is not the problem.
I checked for error codes from the PCM, but there are none (although the computer may have been reset when I disconnected the battery). Still, I checked them again after many attempts to start it, and there are no codes.
I can hear the solenoid valve shuttle in the tank when I turn the ignition on, and some clicks from under the hood. However, the solenoid valve must shut off while I'm trying to start it, because it doesn't make any noise when I turn the key off. What I mean is that I turn the key on and it clicks. I try to crank it and then release the key back to the run position. Then I turn the key off and there is no click. Then I turn the key back to run and it clicks again. Is this normal?
I disconnected the outlet fitting from the FPR, and verified that there is fuel pressure at that point after cranking. The car sat for a couple of years, but I can't believe that all four injectors could have gone bad.
I haven't checked yet for spark at the plugs, but since it tries to start, it seems like it must be getting a spark.
It seems to me like the PCM gets unhappy while the car is trying to start and closes a valve or disables the injectors to prevent it from starting. But, you would think that this would result in an error code.
Does anyone have some suggestions about how to further troubleshoot this with a scan tool and ordinary mechanics tools? I want to do everything I can before I take it to a Honda dealer.

Thank you,
Jay
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