Accord1980

I have a 1980 Accord Auto and every day on the way home from work (about 1 minute from home OR 30kms) the car cuts out and stalls.
It wont restart initially BUT after a couple of minutes it will start again. I have tried a second (used) coil and fitted a new distributor lead between coil and dizzy cap BUT had no success. Fuel Pump maybe BUT problem only occurs intermitently.
I have been advised it could possibly be a "vapor lock" in the fuel tank as a result of a faulty Petrol Cap. What is the Fuel Pump Cut Off Relay function - could this be the problem.
I am at a loss and would apprecaite any feedback or experinces of similar problems.

Stew Pidasso

WOW a 1980 Accord!! Anyway it would either be spark or fuel pump. The same thing happened when my fuel pump went on my 87. It would run perfect and then just stall out for no apparent reason. It would restart after awhile and run fine again until finally it just wouldn't restart. Maybe you could get a fuel pressure guage and when it stalls, check the guage. Or you could just replace the fuel pump and be done with it. Before you do that, have a sparkplug wrench handy for when it stalls again. When it does, pull the plug and see if it is sparking when you crank it over. If you have a spark, then it's most likely your fuel pump. If your having problems with vapor lock just buy a new cap, they're pretty cheap (at least in the US).

Desslok

Taking a stab in the darK:
Seeing that it won't restart when hot, could be main relay?

Stew Pidasso

Hmmm, good possibility. I'm not even sure if those cars have main relays. They might have done it different 23 years ago.

Desslok

Have you checked for spark. Seeing that thing is probably carb'd I would also suspect a fuel problem, namely a bad float in the carb.

Accord1980

Thanks for th feedback. I take your point on the Fuel Pump and will test for spark next time it stalls. You wouldn't beleive it I drove home yesterday (only have e-mail at work) and the car never cut out. With regards to the Main Relay I do not beleive there is one fitted. I have referred to a book and cant find a reference to Main Relay. Vapor Lock is a bit of a long shot and this was raised by a Honda Service Technician in AUS whom said to remove cap after stall and listen for a hissing sound. The Fuel Pressure Gauge is a good idea and I will possibly look at this option- depending on what price I can get for a Fuel Pump in AUS. Thanks again and any further thoughts most welcome.