1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

I have a 1996 Accord LX (192000 miles) that I am having problems with. On the way home from Tenn to NY the car died numerous times on the highway. The car would be running perfectly fine and then the engine would just shut off, as if the ignitions switch was turned off. I would get the care over to the side, put it in Park and it would start right up and run fine. This happened numerous times until it began happening more and more frequently and sometimes the car wouldn't start right up in the end. Sometimes it would run for hours and sometimes for only minutes. We brought the car to a Honda dealer because it was becoming too dangerous to drive, but they could not duplicate the problem. They suggested several new parts that they thought might be failing. They recommended replacing the ignition switch, main relay, coil and ignition module. We didn't do this because the cost was crazy. We had a friend tow the car to NY and now I am trying to diagnose the problem. I tested the ignition switch and it seems fine to me. I looked at the main relay and it looks fine too. No bad solder joints. I swapped it out anyway because I had a spare. I opened the distributor, checked wiring to the coil and module and that looks fine too. I am looking for any expert advise I can get. Going to take the car out tomorrow and see if it dies again ? Thanks for the help.

Mark

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

Start the car up and start wiggling wires until you can repeat the problem. Start with the battery cables. If that didn't do anything then check grounds.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

Try wiggling the key as well. If the ignition switch is worn and you have a heavy key chain it can cause the switch to make/break while driving. The metal contacts may not show wear, but the plastic holding the bits together may become a bit sloppy.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

I have checked the battery cables and grounds, all looks fine. I also moved the key every way while the car was running and it didn't cut out. I really thought that would be it because the mech at the dealer initially thought that was the problem, based on similar problems he has seen with other cars, but that doesn't appear to be it. I should have also mentioned that when this happens all the dash lights stay on along with accessories. There is no check engine light, and the tach immediately goes to zero. Thanks again for the help.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

Normally in a situation like this I would immediately suspect the main relay. To test you can get a fuel pressure tester for $20 at Harbor Freight and hook it up. Lay the hood gently on it so the gauge faces you in the window. Drive around and when the car tries to die see if the gauge is dropping off.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

I thought the main relay was the problem too, but I opened it and it looked perfectly fine. I swapped it anyway with a new spare one I had anyway. Problem still continues.

Mark

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

You're certain when the car dies, the dash lights don't go out ?

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

also check the fuel pump....
it looks like the ignition switch is bad. my dad's aerodeck did that once and it was the ignition switch. when you pass trough a bump/hole in the road it makes some movement in the ignition switch and it makes the car shuts down...

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

The ignition switch provides power to the main relay as well as for the dash lights. If the ignition switch is bad, it will also cause the dash lights to go out, which normally they would turn back on when the car dies.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

when you're driving, the car shuts down and stays like that or doest it shuts down and turns on right away?

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

Yes, I am certain the dash lights don't go out when this happens. The car usually starts right back up and operates perfectly until it happens again. The tach does go right to zero though. This has been very hard to diagnose since the car starts right up afterwards.

Mark

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

Due to the tach immediately going to zero; but, dash lights, etc. staying on, I would be focusing on a possible ignition control module (ICM) issue.

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

what tech8 said

Re: 1996 Accord engine shuts down
 

I was thinking that too. I have ordered a new one and will let the forum know if that solves the problem when I get it in. I bought a Hitachi ignitor. Any other recommendations ? Thank you for all the help.

Mark