> I have a 95 Integra with 89k miles which has a problem
> starting up and would like to know if it's something other than water
> in my gas. This usually occurs initially when the car has been sitting
> for about 3hrs or more. When I try to start it, all of the dash lights
> come on, the car turns and the engine begins to start, but then stops.
> When it does this all of the lights go out on the dash, but if I start
> the engine again without resetting the key, the lights come on and the
> problem happens again. If I do this about 5 times and press the peddle
> a bit, the car eventually starts. While it starts I get a few stutters
> from the engine initially for about 10 seconds and then there is no
> problem for the rest of the drive. I was thinking that this was
> nothing more than bad gas and have purchased a bottle of STP that
> prevents gas freeze, but have not fully emptied the tank yet.
> The battery was purchased from Acura about 2 years ago but we
> only had one day of 50+ degree weather this past week (which this
> problem didn't happen) so I'm waiting for another warm day to see if
> this doesn't happen to see if the problem lies with the battery.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Nick

When you start the car and it stops and all the lights go off, does it sound
like the starter is bearing down (ie working hard, eventually stopping but
not starting the car)?
I wonder if the starter is just too large of an electric load.

Your battery or something power related could be the cause. It could be a
bad major ground or power connection from the battery. Perhaps clean all
your connections (battery terminals and terminals to the starter).
It could also be because the starter is bad or is on its way out.

Perhaps put a voltmeter across the battery to see if it drops below 10V when
you start the car. If it does, your battery is a likely suspect.

Hope you find it soon.
Remco