Help, please! Engine just stopped ... and won't start again.

[judderod]

So it turns over but does not fire?

Most likely immobiliser fault, you might have to go through some sort of reset procedure after disconnecting the battery. Is it an aftermarket alarm? As above try locking and unlocking the car a few times, and also use the touch-key fob if there is one.

If you can smell petrol out the exhaust, it could also be the coil. Mine just stopped dead when the coil went, but that was my own fault for melting a spark plug

[Sailor]

Thanks for the suggestions, chaps.

It's a Honda alarm/immobiliser system, possibly fitted by the main dealer when the car was new.

The car still won't start. The spare and main keys give the correct immobiliser displays when switching on and off. The remote fob is broken but still works. It even managed to solve the hazard light issue - at least until the battery was next disconnected and reconnected. The dash lights all work as they should and I'm pretty sure the fuel pump is priming.

I tried the jump leads, too. But I can't find my multimeter so haven't checked for alternator charge. I also haven't checked the dizzy or coil yet, but will give them a go tomorrow.

Just to finish off the day, I've now got an ABS code 51 ....

[4thgenphil]

Ignition switch? Seems to cause a lot of issues on 5ths atm

[paul bristol uk]

Ignition switch? Seems to cause a lot of issues on 5ths atm

Wasn't that such a problem that there was a Honda recall once upon a time?

good thought on the switch Phil.

[h10ndr]

So you've got rid of the hazard lights flashing (unless you disconnect the battery again)...I'm thinking coil then now... check your spark plug firing colour (bright blue is what you need - white or yellow no good)

[Sailor]

I'm beginning to suspect that the immobiliser issue is a separate problem.
There's no spark at healthy plugs. Perhaps, as suggested, it is the distributor or coil pack after all.

Old school coils used to break down, but there'd often be a bit of warning. Do the more recent ones just fail? (ie: either work or not).

[h10ndr]

Seems so...I've had 2 new replacement coils so far. Both just stopped no warning. I'm running a coil from an ATR at the moment (at least its genuine Honda part) - but that is getting quite old now - so expecting it to fail any time soon. (I have a new spare waiting)