Honda Car Forum

"MLD" <MLD@verizon.net> wrote in message news:km6ff.312$Db.67@trndny01...
>
> <Hemingway@pete-sue.fslife.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1132081224.784207.308560@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
>> Thanks a lot,was the failure instant no warning whatsoever?
>>
> Yes--The engine would start to cut out without any warning. Nerve
> wracking
> when in the passing lane with an 18 wheeler right on your tail.
> MLD
>
>
Assuming your Accord has a tachometer, a lot of info depends on the tach's
behavior. If it drops like a stone when the engine cuts out, the ignition is
dying. The top suspect is the ignitor, although there are other suspects. If
the tach takes a second or two to fall, the ignition is still doing
*something* and the suspicion turns to the fuel delivery (like the main
relay). It is possible to have good signal to the tach and no juice to the
coil, though, so the chance taking the wrong direction on that is there.

Mike

Michael Pardee wrote:

> Assuming your Accord has a tachometer, a lot of info depends on the tach's
> behavior. If it drops like a stone when the engine cuts out, the ignition is
> dying. The top suspect is the ignitor, although there are other suspects. If
> the tach takes a second or two to fall, the ignition is still doing
> *something* and the suspicion turns to the fuel delivery (like the main
> relay). It is possible to have good signal to the tach and no juice to the
> coil, though, so the chance taking the wrong direction on that is there.

Wouldn't a bad main relay be evident only when attempting to start the car?

High Tech Misfit wrote:
>
> Michael Pardee wrote:
>
> > Assuming your Accord has a tachometer, a lot of info depends on the tach's
> > behavior. If it drops like a stone when the engine cuts out, the ignition is
> > dying. The top suspect is the ignitor, although there are other suspects. If
> > the tach takes a second or two to fall, the ignition is still doing
> > *something* and the suspicion turns to the fuel delivery (like the main
> > relay). It is possible to have good signal to the tach and no juice to the
> > coil, though, so the chance taking the wrong direction on that is there.
>
> Wouldn't a bad main relay be evident only when attempting to start the car?


-----------------------------------

I'd say 99% yes, since the vibration of the vehicle is what keeps the
flaky solder joints 'sparkin'. That's why the owner shuts it off, buys
cigarettes, and it won't start unless he smacks the dash.

Another thought: When the bad ignition switch on our '97 CR-V
manifested, I was on the highway going 100Km / hr when the cruise
suddenly disengaged itself . . . We'd only had the car a while so I
reset it and kept going. Three minutes later the tach (and speedo, I
think) dropped to Zero, and the engine died. Car restarted after a quick
look under the hood with a flashlight. Next manifestation happened in
city traffic, while trying to get out of an intersection.

'Curly'

"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
newsan.2005.11.19.22.51.48.499836@hightech.misfi t...
> Wouldn't a bad main relay be evident only when attempting to start the
> car?
>
Good point - yes, the main relay (and fuel pump relays in other cars, like
my old Volvo) usually show up bad while trying to start the car. I don't
know why.

Mike