dntran

First I'd like to say hello to everyone - Hi -since I am a noobie here.

Now, to the problem:

I have a 2003 Honda Accord V6. Today, when I was driving home, my car suddenly drops rpm while stopping at a red light. The rpm went to like 300-400. The car feels like it is going to die. However, when I step on the gas, the car jerks and drives off like everything is normal. At the next red light, it happened again! So i pulled over and turned off the engine. Now the car won't start!

Note:
When I turn the key, it cranks over but doesn't start. I just replaced the battery about 2 months ago.

What is the problem and how do I troubleshoot it? Please help if you can.

Thank you very much in advance.

Lost Again

Welcome......

Any recent work done to the car?

Ok, a few things to start with. Did the CEL come on at any point when the car was running and about to die?

We will then have to figure out is this a spark or fuel issue?

Turn the key to on/Pos II, the cel should come one for a few seconds (~3) and go off, during which you should be ble to hear the fule pump prime? Or, pull the intake tube. Open the butterfly in the TB and give is a good spray of carb cleaner (~5 seconds)....try starting the car....does it run for a few seconds?

The 03 v6 is COP so checking for spark is going to be a bit fun....do you have a voltmeter?

dntran

Thank you for the reply.

Update: today I started the car and it starts! However, it seemed really weak - like it's struggling. I popped the hood to look around and notice a clicking sound - maybe like a sparking sound coming from the head near the throttle body.

I don't remember if a CEL came on when it dropped rpm. I do have a voltmeter.

Thanks.

AlisonCoco

better to take it to a good service station for getting a better solution related to this query

dntran

Update 2:
Today I replaced the spark plugs and everything seems to be back to normal. The car starts and runs. The clicking sound is gone and the engine sounds like normal.

Since I am not 100% sure the problem is fixed , what can I test to be sure that the car is in good health?

Or should I wait until it happens again for further testing?

Please advise and thank you very much for your help.

Lost Again

For giggles, stop by almost any parts store and ask them to scan for codes (they store until cleared). If there are any, get the actual code from them - not their description, the code should begin with "P" and then four digits (P0304 for example). Post the code and we can go from there.

If not, pretty much going to have to wait and see if it happens again. If it does, try the key to "on" thing and listen for the fuel pump.

dntran

Lost Again: Got the vehicle scanned: "No codes read".

Guess we'll have to wait...

Thank you very much for your help, Lost Again.

dan_g

For a 10 year old car, it looks like you have high mileage.
If all is well, I would suggest add some fuel treatment ( something like 3 -5 oz for a 20 gal tank). I add lucas fuel treatment every 5k.
You could also clean the throttle body.

If you are not handy you could get some good shop using their cuopons to do the fuel treatment and throttle body clean up.

Good luck


Dan