Honda Car Forum

I have a '96 honda accord LX with about 180,000miles on it. It has had only minor problems but now its doing something new. sometimes when its cold (about 20dF or colder), my car will not start right. when i try to start it, the engine just chugs and wont start. if I pump the gas pedal, it will eventually start (after about 10 good pumps). after that, it runs fine. it wont do it again until 1 or 2 mornings later. Someone (a science major on campus) suggested a battery problem (cold temps= slower chem reaction in the battery), but the battery is only about 1-2 yrs old. any OTHER suggestions would be wonderful

check the choke

the battery is probably not your problem if it turns over, then it might be in your fuel injectors are partially defective in the cold.

There are two valves in the throttle body that affect cold weather starting. The start valve opens to increase the amount of air and fuel when starting whether warm or cold and is electrically operated - look for it on the end of the throttle body nearest the driver. The thermolift valve opens when the coolant is cold to increase the idle speed when cold and is operated by the coolant hoses attached to it - look for it on the front side of the throttle body, to the right of the electrically operated Idle Air Control valve.































My guess is the thermolift valve is not opening. If that is true the idle will be abnormally low when you do get it started, at least at first - it should be around 1700 rpm when cold. I haven't had either valve off, but they look like they come off easily. Carburetor cleaner would be an obvious first approach with either one.

It could be your fuel line is loosing pressure, Have a good Honda mechanic check your fuel accumulator. Hope this helps!