I need some suggestions on what this problem could be. There is an '88 Accord for sale for $500 with a clean body and interior. I want to know if its worth buying and fixing.
The only problem is that it wont stay running. It cranks fine and runs for a few seconds then just dies. There is gas! I dont know if the problem goes away when its warm because it never gets warm.
Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!
Gary I.

 

I had that happen a couple different times with my '88 LX... The first time I had to rebuild the carb. The second time it was just a cracked vacuum line. When it first starts, can you give it a little gas to keep it running? If so, my bet is the carb.

I miss my '88... The motor took all the abuse I could throw at it (was still running strong at 280,000 miles), and still got great gas mileage. The only thing I didn't like was all the damn vacuum lines, but I solved that problem with a Weber carb...

If I could find an '88 or '89 with a clean body and interior, I'd buy it.

 

could also be your fuel cutoff relay (carbed car) or your main relay (EFI car)

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill check out the car again and see if it will run when i gas it. It is a solid car and would be great if i can pick it up for that price and put a few bucks into it.
Thanks again.
Gary I.

 

If it runs perfect for 4 seconds, sounds like crap in the gas tank. Check for rags and/or fish scales.

Might have to replace the gastank if fishscales (hard-to-get-out).

 

Hmmm sounds like something that could be wrong. Upon start up the fuel pick up is getting clogged and then just dies. Then settles again and runs for another 4 seconds then dies again.
Thanks!