I have a '98 Accord 4cyl. I tried to start it the other day and all it would do is turn over, but would not fire. I took it to the dealer, and they told me they think it's the cat.....THINK...they could not duplicate the problem....They also said my battery was bad. The battery in the car is 7 months old and checked out ok at the auto parts store. Since I got my car back, it has happened again twice in two weeks. I found that if I disconnect the battery and reconnect it, the car starts fine. It runs fine too, no problems with acceleration.... Should I spend the $900 the dealer is asking to replace the cat....I guess I can sell a kidney to cover the cost...

 

If your "other day" was an exceptionally hot one, I would suspect your Master Relay. They have a propensity for developing a condition sensitive to hot days (won't allow it to start).
The crazy (infuriating) part about this failure is that you can come back to it after it's cooled off; and the car will start as if nothings wrong.

Just a thought

P

Forget the kidney, find an Independent Garage in your local area that specializes on Hondas', he'll be A LOT cheaper than the local dealer.!!!!

 

they think is the cat?? well disconnect the exh pipe prior to go into cat and start it up ....if battery is dead it will not crank the engine yours turns over but wont fire .

i would be careful about this shop you went to ...
when it does not start chk to see if it is fuel or spark related

 

The cat won't cause the car not to start. run, don't walk, to another shop. that one is trying to cheat you.

 

if the cat is completely plugged the car will not start or it will start and then die quickly. I have been told my battery is bad by the dealer but that was 8 months ago and they have not told me it was bad since. Check your main relay or your starter and starter relays