1998 prelude. loaded, 5spd. 195hp model (h22 i think?)

its happened twice now. I have a work around for it, but is this a sign of future trouble?

will turn key from off to starter engage position and everything goes dead. dash lights flash for a second then nothing, no starter engage, no radio, nothing. once i could have swore i heard a click from passenger seat (this is were ecu is if im not mistaken). when this happens, headlights wont turn on, the car gets no power at all, though battery shows charge and amps with a meter.

how im solving it currently is, im pulling the negative battery cable and the 7.5 amp radio fuse from the engine comparment. wait for 15 mins or so, put battery cable back on, and pop fuse back in, and car will start and run properly.

i cant help but suspect that im somehow rushing the ecu from its normal startup. normally Ill get in turn key to run position, wait for dash lights to stop flashing, then engage starter. but if you dont give dash lights a chance to go out before trying to engage starter, will that cause this problem? or is this a sign of a failing ecu? or some other electrical problem? anyone experienced this?

 

check your battery, the earth

This happaned to me, and the earth wire, from battery to engine was cracked.

 

have you owned the car ever since it was new? and do you know if it has been recalled to the dealership to have the ignition switch changed.. the 5th gen in the early years of its production had a recall due to the fact of a faulty ignition switch. So my guess is that is the culprit.

 

Check your fuses. My friend's 97 was doing something similar when he first got it, and it was simply a fuse that was loose

 

I agree with tacticalcustoms on this fault. Your having the classic symptoms of ignition switch failure, get it to the dealer for a free recall replacement.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tacticalcustoms &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have you owned the car ever since it was new? and do you know if it has been recalled to the dealership to have the ignition switch changed.. the 5th gen in the early years of its production had a recall due to the fact of a faulty ignition switch. So my guess is that is the culprit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed! IIRC the ball joints were supposed to be replaced as well.

 

No, im not the original owner. been 2 people prior to me. Im going to call my local dealer and schedule an appointment with them to have that ignition switch changed. I will also check that ground too.

regretfully i wish i had had more time to write my original post this morning - I wouldn't have been so vague.

I will add some more details since i have some time now...

once I get "ignition failure" hehe, I get no electrics in run position - no dashlights. no power windows or locks, HOWEVER, the only hint that some power is leaking through is 2 places... the dome light flickers repeatedly very faintly, along with the illumination strip around the ignition on steering wheel which flickers as well.

at this point, if i turn ignition back to off, and pull key out, the dome light will come on full strength, no flicker, same with key ring and the power door locks work. but the headlights will not turn on with the headlight switch.

if i put key back in and turn to run position, all goes dead again.

then as i stated earlier, to resolve problem go and pull negative battery cable and radio fuse, wait 15, put it all back together and drive away.

Ill also mention that all this has just started happening with the onset of the cold weather last week and a half. I understand the concept of copper shrinking in cold weather and if theres a break in a wire, it might be slightly by the cold weather.

Thanks for the advice guys. These forums are a blessing for honda owners.
now I only hope the red learning key will not be required for replacing the ignition. I dont have mine :/. Didn't know there was such a thing and have lost touch with the previous owner. yes i know what that means if i lose my keys.... :/