Honda Repair: Car wont start., honda accord lx, flood mode

Question
I just bought a 96 honda accord lx. and when I try and start it, it doesn't start. It turns over and everything and I smell gas, which usually means, "It's flooded" right?
So that was my first thought, so I let it sit for about an hour or two and tried it again, and again, and again, and still....didn't start. I just purchased this thing as my first car and I'm hoping that i just need to give it more time and it wont be anything major.

Answer
Hi Zach,

Usually these cars only flood if move them a short distance than shut them off. If it is flooded holding the gas pedal down while cranking usually clears them out. This tells the ECU to go into clear flood mode. However I would start by checking for spark. take off a spark plug wire from the distributor. Hold it close and have someone crank the engine. Be careful not to hold the wire close to the end as you will get zapped! If no spark is seen than you have an issue in the ignition system. Usually with this vehicle it is the ignitor or ICM (ignition control module). Honda calls it an ignitor some aftermarket company call it an ICM. You can test it by putting a test light across the positive and negative terminals of the coil and crank the engine. If the bulb in the test light flashes than the ignitor is good and the coil is at fault. If the bulb does not flash than the ignitor is not sending the signal to the coil to fire so it is faulty and warrants replacement. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me. Have a great day!

Nolan