I have a 92 Honda Accord EX which has a problem starting every once in a while. The motor will turn over but will not fire. Every once in a while it will catch for about a second and then turn off, almost as if you didnt hold the key long enough. What are the potential problems that are causing this?

 

Just ran into this problem.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1331637
Turned out to be the ignition coil. Check for a spark when you're haveing this problem. If you don't get one, then it's likely one of the components in the distributor.

 

If this primarily happens during very hot weather, you may be the victim of the dreaded Main Relay attack. Basically, the relay solder joints crack over age and when warm break connection; and when it cools off at the end of the day reconnects and the car will start.
There are several avenues of thought on this:
1) Break down and buy a new relay
2) take it out and resolder the board

P

 

hmm interesting I noticed this for the past 2 days after work when I went to start it I had to hold th ekey for about 4 seconds before it started, and its very hot today. what is this main replay you speak of?

 

I can tell you that it is traditionally mounted under the dash to the left of the steering wheel, in the vicinity of the fuse box. I tried scoffing a picture and discription off the Majestic Honda online catalog for you, but it's not for the faint of heart (poor discriptions; everythings' listed as "power relay") and had no luck.
You can wait a while and others will chime in with additional info. A member named DesertHonda is very knowledgeable, and I'd chase him down if he doesn't show up.

P

 

first of al P- thanks for the confidence u show in me .......i better make good now ,,,,,,,,,,,,Ok i agree with P- most likely it is the main relay to properly verify when car does not start, remove the big tube that goes into throttle body get some carb cleaner and spray it in there if car starts i would chk the main relay....
it is located under left side of dash if you have cruise control you need to remove the box 2 10mm bolts ,, once box is out of the way if you look up you will see a 7 wires plug the goes into a relay the bottom of relay is a brownish/ rusty color ,,once it is removed with a screwdriver pop the 2 little tabs on the side and examine the circuit,, there might be some cracks soderings u might need a magnifed glass sometimes cracks are really small if u see cracks resoder it put al together