Hello - I am posting this for a friend with a 1991 honda accord. Any help is greatly appreciated.

a few weeks ago it was having trouble starting up. like it would turn over and as soon as i took my foot off the gas it would die. it would usually happen when it hadnt been driven in a few days or in extreme heat. It had been starting up fine or just on the 2nd time but today it died. the autozone guys helped us check the battery and alternator. i cleaned the terminals, and checked the ohms and voltage to the idle control vavle. they said it shouldnt be the starter, battery, alternator or ICV. so i dont know. i dont know too too much about cars.

hey guys here's an update. maybe some of you can help diagnose based on our new findings. i have an idea of what it is, but i dont wanna sway opinions.

ok so we checked a few things out in the engine, then i tried to start it again. when i turned it to on it starts and then when i let go it turns off. but here's the glitch, if i hold the key in just the right spot between full forward and accessory it idles and stays on fine. i held the key in that spot and reached over and put the car in drive and it engages and goes forward, but as soon as i let go of the key it turns off.

any ideas??

thanks in advance

 

sounds like you have a glitch in a circuit.. it obviously seems related to your starter moter circuit, which seems to have a interrelatedness to the spark circuit. seems like the relays are losing power as soon as you take your hand off the ignition, but i honestly dont know how the two circuits are related, and i dont even know where to locate any potential problem points in the circuits. try to find circuit/relay diagrams and wire locations in a helms. otherwise, just take it to a dealership to get it diagnosed and get an estimate for the labor. hope i helped

 

Master Relay. Honda's weak spot.
Traditionally screws up during hot weather and you can't avoid closing the windows (passanger compartment gets really hot)

Had both an '88 LXI and '89 LX do it.

Kicker is that it's good one day and screws up the next (usually while you're visiting someone in East Overshoe or someplace) and there's no way to really test it

 

The ignition switch is bad. You don't have to replace the whole thing. Just the electrical portion that screws to the back of the key cylinder.
Honda tech giving you a little advice.

 

cmr is right on it is the electrical part of the ignit switch i have seen many of them act up they cost around $ 50-60

 

thank you guys for the help - I'll let him know to check the electrical portion of the ignition switch and the master relay