Honda Car Forum

Hi All, I just bought a 90 Accord, automatic with 128K miles, one owner and
clean history. The first 2 days no problem and the third day it would not
start. I could hear a pause and then a click in the key turn position
(looks like the fuel pump works). After seven or 8 attempts it started.
The motor would turn each time and the car would start but then
immediately die. This happens several times before the car would start.
This problem happens once in two days and I live in Texas so its not
weather related. Like I said it happens not very often but often enough to
bother me. Again, the car starts but then dies immediately. If I keep
trying, it starts after several attempts and then starts normally for a
couple of days before doing the same. Any help is highly appreciated.
Thanks ...

http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM
http://mustardcat.brinkster.net/prel.../mainrelay.htm

"rdak" <rdakhan@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:306e259aae95a3e65979e5ba95f254a0@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> Hi All, I just bought a 90 Accord, automatic with 128K miles, one owner
and
> clean history. The first 2 days no problem and the third day it would not
> start. I could hear a pause and then a click in the key turn position
> (looks like the fuel pump works). After seven or 8 attempts it started.
> The motor would turn each time and the car would start but then
> immediately die. This happens several times before the car would start.
> This problem happens once in two days and I live in Texas so its not
> weather related. Like I said it happens not very often but often enough to
> bother me. Again, the car starts but then dies immediately. If I keep
> trying, it starts after several attempts and then starts normally for a
> couple of days before doing the same. Any help is highly appreciated.
> Thanks ...
>

rdak wrote:
> Hi All, I just bought a 90 Accord, automatic with 128K miles, one owner and
> clean history. The first 2 days no problem and the third day it would not
> start. I could hear a pause and then a click in the key turn position
> (looks like the fuel pump works). After seven or 8 attempts it started.
> The motor would turn each time and the car would start but then
> immediately die. This happens several times before the car would start.
> This problem happens once in two days and I live in Texas so its not
> weather related. Like I said it happens not very often but often enough to
> bother me. Again, the car starts but then dies immediately. If I keep
> trying, it starts after several attempts and then starts normally for a
> couple of days before doing the same. Any help is highly appreciated.
> Thanks ...
>
=================

rdak,
At that mileage it's probably the ignition switch. Do a google search to
find out the other interesting symptoms. Many handy people take the
switch apart and fix them . . If you're not handy, just buy a new one.
The dealer will know the number by heart :-)

'Curly'

which is probably why the car was for sale.

> http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM
> http://mustardcat.brinkster.net/prel.../mainrelay.htm
>
> "rdak" <rdakhan@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:306e259aae95a3e65979e5ba95f254a0@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
>
>>Hi All, I just bought a 90 Accord, automatic with 128K miles, one owner
>
> and
>
>>clean history. The first 2 days no problem and the third day it would not
>>start. I could hear a pause and then a click in the key turn position
>>(looks like the fuel pump works). After seven or 8 attempts it started.
>>The motor would turn each time and the car would start but then
>>immediately die. This happens several times before the car would start.
>>This problem happens once in two days and I live in Texas so its not
>>weather related. Like I said it happens not very often but often enough to
>>bother me. Again, the car starts but then dies immediately. If I keep
>>trying, it starts after several attempts and then starts normally for a
>>couple of days before doing the same. Any help is highly appreciated.
>>Thanks ...

so replace the relay, and/ or ignition switch, and enjoy a sweet car for
another 128k miles.

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 22:59:46 -0600, "motsco_ _" <"motsco_
_"@interbaun.com> wrote:

>rdak wrote:
>> Hi All, I just bought a 90 Accord, automatic with 128K miles, one owner and
>> clean history. The first 2 days no problem and the third day it would not
>> start. I could hear a pause and then a click in the key turn position
>> (looks like the fuel pump works). After seven or 8 attempts it started.
>> The motor would turn each time and the car would start but then
>> immediately die. This happens several times before the car would start.
>> This problem happens once in two days and I live in Texas so its not
>> weather related. Like I said it happens not very often but often enough to
>> bother me. Again, the car starts but then dies immediately. If I keep
>> trying, it starts after several attempts and then starts normally for a
>> couple of days before doing the same. Any help is highly appreciated.
>> Thanks ...
>>
>=================
>
>rdak,
>At that mileage it's probably the ignition switch.

Could well be. I had a CRX with exactly those symptoms though, and it
was loose ground connections up near the thermostat housing on the
engine. It seems that that's where the ground side of the fuel pump
relay coil is!

I replaced the main relay and the car still has the same problem. Like I
said, the car starts and then dies immediately. Could it be just some
loose wiring somewhere? Your help is highly appreciated.