I just purchased a 91 Honda Accord and am having a strange
intermittent problem starting. While the main relay seems to be an
obvious culprit, the car not only has the problem while hot and cold,
it loses all power and you can't attempt to start until opening the
door. When the problem doesn't occur the car starts perfectly.

The Problem:

When attempting to start the car the first turn of the key lights the
ignition lights and the stereo goes on, then when you make the final
turn of the keys you hear a click, all power goes out and nothing else
happens. Turning the ignition to off and back on a second time does
absolutely nothing and there is no power whatsoever inside the car.

The only way to attempt to start the car is to open the car door where
it seems to reset something and then it allows for a try at ignition.

There is no alarm on the car so I don't believe it to be a ignition
kill issue. The battery seems to be working fine except for this
periodic issue. The only recent work to the car has been the
installation of a new car stereo. The previous owners (who are friends
of mine and will assist in anyway possible) have never had this
problem but haven't driven the car much at all since having the stereo
installed at Circuit City.

I have not ruled out the Main Relay but I've never read any postings
that involve having to open and close the door to reset the system.

ANY and ALL help is greatly appreciated!

Rob