DJ Strike It Up

I have a 1993 Honda Accord that I bought as a second car back in August...it has 207,000 miles, but she runs great and looks good too, no rust, she was properly taken care of....

Recently she would shut off once when I was reversing out of a parking spot...but when I restarted her, she fired up right away, so I thought nothing of it...

Another time as I was driving on the e-way, the rpm needle started to jump up and down..but the car never shut off and the engine never stuttered...again, I thought nothing of it.

But the other day as I was driving, the rpm needle did the same thing and this time the car did shut off, but I didnt even notice it until i realized that the engine wasnt responding to the accelerator. When I tried to fire her up again, she wouldnt crank over...the car just cranked but it wouldnt fire up. I figured that maybe I flooded the car with gas, so I held down the accelerator as I was trying get the car to start but she wouldnt fire up at all. So I decided to just park her. The next day I came to pick her up and she fired up right away!

So here is my question. What is making the car shut off as I am driving. I am assuming its something fuel related, maybe a fuel pump starting to go bad? Or maybe its time to change the fuel injectors? Fuel relay switch? Fuel filter?

I dont want to disregard this problem anymore because I dont want my wife or me to get stranded again if the car decides to shut off again while we are driving it....any ideas or suggestions on what could be causing this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

-johnny

redbull-1

Very possibly the ignition switch. See this link:

http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignitionswitch.html

redbull-1

Also, check the symptoms for a bad igniter:

http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

P_Adams

Ignition switch. It was a prevalent enough problem that Honda issued a Recall.

P

sobey

This is an excellent website.

redbull-1

I agree, the website should be posted as part of the FAQ since it covers many common Honda/Acura problems.

xhyperxshogunx

could be your fuel injector main relay. Had a problem on my 92 accord. it will crank and crank but will not start. Five minutes later it fired right up. Went to the dealer and bought a new one for 60 buck. fix the problem

DJ Strike It Up

Thanks guys for all the help and answers...

I cant find anything that says that Honda issued a recall for the ignition switch on 93 Honda Accords...all i see are 1997 recalls...

Why would the ignition switch cause the car to suddenly shut off and not let it crank over when I am trying to turn it back on but after waiting for hours the car will then turn on at a later time? If it was a bad ignition switch, wouldnt the car not turn on at all?

DJ Strike It Up

I was just reading up on the causes for a bad igniter and after reading those troubleshooting signs, that almost sounds like it can also be a strong possibility that could be the problem.

CB7Pirate

These were the exact symptoms I had when my igniter went out. The car would just randomly die and would not restart for a few minutes. If left to cool, it would start back up. I replaced the igniter and haven't had a problem since.

DJ Strike It Up

Just wanted to thank you guys for the suggestions...and I also wanted to give an update.

I replaced the igniter (ignition control module) which ran me about 50 bucks, the stall was simple and it seems to have been the issue with the car.

I drove the car for about 20 mins before I went to buy the part...and once I left the store and tried to turn it on, the car would stay on for 5 seconds and then simply die out! I tried to restart it again and I even pumped the gas pedal, but the rpm needle wouldnt move...I read in the troubleshooting signs for the igniter that this was indeed one of the signs that the igniter was going bad. Luckily the car stayed on after the it died out twice, so I was able to drive home and replace the igniter. Once this was done, I drove the car around for a while, parked it and turned it off and I restarted it after a minute or 2 with absolutely no problem. So it looks like the problem is solved!

Once again thank you to everyone! Keep up the good work!!

-johnny

DJ Strike It Up

One more thing that I noticed...when I first bought the car back in August, I noticed that she shook alot while she idled, so I figured that it was time for a tune up. I replaced the spark plugs and did an oil change and replaced the filters but she still shook a little while she idled. So I put in a fuel injector cleaner but she still shook...

Now that I replaced the igniter, she doesnt shake while she idles...

tonyasleep

Hi There,
I own a 98' Accord coupe and have been experiencing random stalling problems. I have replaced the ignition switch today and am still having random stalling with the bonus of not starting for a couple of minutes after.


Sorry to sound a bit dumb, but would my 98' model have an igniter (ignition control module) ? and should I be looking in this direction for correct diagnosis?

Thanks in advance

Tony

CB7Pirate

I believe the 98's still use a distributor with an igniter, so it may very well be the cause of your issue.

dave.wilkes@blu

OK- I'm having the same problem with a 98 V6 Accord Coupe EX (J30A1); totally random cutout, followed by 'cooling off' for a minute, then a perfect restart. May not happen for days, then happens a dozen times in the same journey. Absolutely infuriating.

I have changed/cleaned/diagnosed just about everything I can see on the Workshop Manual circuit diagram, including:
- the Ignition Control Module (new)
- the EGR valve (cleaned to within an inch of it's life)
- the 'notorious' ignition switch (new)
- the petrol pump (checked and OK)
- the PGM FI main relay
- fuel pressure

I have run out of logical ideas now. I would willingly change religion and worship whoever can provide a successful (and logical) solution: i.e. if you say "change the wiper blades" then I might think you're guessing...!

Cheers

Dave

dave.wilkes@blu

Oh - and another thing: there are no DTC's set ....

tonyasleep

Hi Dave,

Wow...my Accord coupe went to the big M25 in the sky 4 years ago but here's what I did....

I changed the ignition switch to no avail.....then traced it to a sticking main relay...... I gently removed the relay from its housing, re-soldered every joint on the pcb just incase of dry-joints and doused the relay mechanism in WD40, making sure to manually move the both relay switches a few times. That solved my problem and it never re-occured until it's dying day.

regards

Tony

dave.wilkes@blu

Hello Tony - good to see a UK based hondatechie !

I must admit to not being absolutely sure which relay I have looked at - the Manual does not match the wiring loom colours exactly. Where exactly was the relay you serviced, did it have any distinguishing marks / letters on it ?

The one I thought was the PGM FI main relay is on a bracket, under the dash, just to the left of the steering column...(RHD car of course...)


Dave

fcm

PGM-FI Main Relay problems and fixes most are easily repairable. 94

dave.wilkes@blu

FCM - thanks ! What a superb website: this is exactly the kind of info that I needed. All I have to do now is lose 100 pounds, put on a spandex suit and bend myself under the dash to see if I can find the relay. If you don't hear from me, please call an ambulance.

holmesnmanny

The main relay can't really be tested. I mean, it can be tested but what happens is it tests good but when it heats up while the car is running the solder joints expand apart and it dies.

dave.wilkes@blu

Yes understood. I had not quite appreciated how hot this thing can run: I'm not used to relays running hot,i.e. dissapating lots of power themselves (why bother with a relay ?!), but then I hadn't considered the foot well heating - and I like warm feet.

Cheers

PS Still haven't found it. I can hear it, but not see it...

tonyasleep

Hi Dave,
From what i remember it was in a light grey housing..the location sounds about right, I know it was a bitch to get to!! Did you replace the relay or have you tried to remove the relay from the housing? genlty push tabs in on the small sides of the housing. There are two relay circuit inside..1 for electrics and 1 for fuel.





This deffo looks like the one.

Tony

dave.wilkes@blu

Hello Tony,

Many thanks for the photo. I finally found it - a grey box well up inside the dash. After much contortion I was able to unbolt the bracket and drop the whole thing out.

I soldered all the joints again, re-coated it with electronic sealant spray and then put it all back. As well as put my back out.

Everything is back to normal. I guess only time will tell if this has cured it. But, if it hasn't then quite honestly I will live with the anticipation of the random stop every time I go out - I love the car so much !

Once again- many thanks for all the advice. One thing has struck me though, why did Honda not identify this as the most likely culprit - rather than spend a fortune on a recall ?!


Dave

tonyasleep

Hey Dave,
Glad you found it and hope it solves your problem.
yeah...they are a great car to own/drive. I had mine 8 yrs.
Honda?? think of all that money they would miss out if they told you the problem in the first place....CHuffin capitalists!!

happy motoring

T :D