Tom Servo

I have a 1990 Honda Accord and now when I start the car, it starts up as normal, then immeadiatly turns off. Any idea what this could be?

awdgsx96

Your not holding the key long enough?

How long does it run before it shuts off?

Tom Servo

I hold the key the normal length (I drive this car everyday). It turns on only for about a second or two. I turn the key it turns on, then when I start to move my hand to put it in reverse it turns off.

AccordInTheMaking

Well it could be a number of problems but I know for sure the accords do have this problem:

All 90-93 accords seem to have a problem with the "Main Relay" which just so happens to control the fuel pump. So you will go to start your car, it starts, and as soon as that residual fuel pressure drops away it dies out, and its like the lottery because you never know when its going to work again. However it seems to happen more on a hot day, or when the heat is on in the car.

To check whether this is it or not, pay close attention to the noise in the rear of your car when you switch the key to the on position. If you hear an engaging sound, and then a quiet high pitched wine- thats the fuel pump priming. If you notice the car dies out every time you dont hear that when you turn the key on, then the main relay could be a good place to start.

Its happened to mine and my friends accord.. both '91's.

It could be alot of problems other than that, but at least to check for that you dont need any tools and you dont have to get dirty, so try it first.

ryancachilli

Actually, you will need tools, and patience, mine went out same problem, 1990 accord, and to get to it you have to pull apart half of the stuff from under the drivers-side dash, new relay was about $75 where Im at in ny, and tools needed are socket wrench with extension, 10mm socket. and possibly a philips head. cant remember if there were any screws...

Tom Servo

Well, I fixed it (I think). I went back out my car starts up fine, but as soon as I let go of the key, that's when it turns off. Normally, you turn the key it turns on, and when I let go of the key it moves back slightly alsmost nothing, this is when it turns off. So I tried turning the key, and held it there, the car didn't turn off. With my free hand I put the car in reverse, and moved back, then in drive and moved back up. Car was working fine up until I let go of the key, then it shuts off.

I then figured it was something inside the key mechanism that was messed up. Next, I put the key in again this time pushing in as much as possible and while turning the key continuing to push in. As I slowly turned the key while maintaining pressure I felt like a click or something, and this time when I let go of the key, the car stayed on. After this, I turned the car off and turned it on a couple of times turning the key the usual way, and now it stayed on. So I guess when I turned it while applying pressure towards the inside, it must have fixed it somehow.

It's gotta be something inside the key mechanism that was off, any idea what it might be.?

Tom Servo

Well, it happened again. Anyone point me in the right direction as to what I need to do next?

AccordEX1991

Need a new ignition switch.

CD5 Jeebies!

not your main relay...your car would not start at all...because it will have no fule!!! I dont know what the issue is but I just wanted to save you wasting time trying to fix something that doesn't seem to be broken