Im at my wit's end... I have had my car to the local Honda dealership now, four times.. my accord refuses to start. It is turning over, but doesnt get spark. It usually happens first thing in the morning, weather doesnt have any affect (I was once told it was because the interior was hot), low gas or high gas, it just doesnt start. First, all the relays were changed. Then, the ignition ignitor and starter brushes, next the fuel pump.. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for it not starting!! Honda is getting fed up and this last time (today) they said they figured it was the injectors. Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? My accord is a 1990 LX. I asked them if they had looked at the fuel pump and they assured me they had. Thanks!

 

Ok, from what you have described you have a Cranks, but Won't start situation. The car runs fine sometimes, so we can eliminate mechanical problems like a broken timing belt or no compression. You are looking for two thing, spark and fuel. No fuel will definitly cause a no start. A failed fuel pump could cause this, Can you hear the pump run for a few seconds when the key is turned ON?
You could check for fuel pressure, or pull out a spark plug and see it it is wet with fuel.

Spark is usually the moajor cause for a no start. Ignitors fail pretty often, but you stated that your was replaced. The second most common spark related part is the ignition coil itself. I have seen these fail time and time again, and it's easy to assume that it is good because it works sometimes. Coils are electric devices like most anything else, and are affected by heat, cold vibration, rust, etc. I would still take it back to the Honda dealer.... you have paid them to fix it and it's not fixed. As for the injectors, I don't think so. I can see one or maybe two failing, but the engine would probabaly run on the remaining two good ones - or at least try to run. All four are not going to fail at the same time, it just doesn't happen.
Let us know what the dealer finds (coilcoilcoilcoilcoilcoilcoil)

 

let me get this right you are not getting spark correct???? so why would a honda shop replace fuel pump and now they think it is the injectors????? sounds to me like they are playing replace parts and hope to get it right with your money,,,,,,

hot on the inside??? low gas?? high gas?? starter brushes?? Jesus,, and this is a HONDA shop???? if u got no spark gas nor starter brushes has nothing to do with it...........have they checked the coil?? do u have a non-factory alarm?? have u tried another honda specialty shop???

 

Thanks for your help - and yes, I DO have a non-factory alarm - an Alpine - its been on the car since 1994.. Its so frustrating - Honda sends a guy out to my house to look at the car, and it starts!! He took it back to the dealership, and said that it had something to do with the cold wet weather affecting some connections that were rusty and were causing the cylinders to become flooded. Its starting like a charm now....until tomorrow morning at 6:30 am when I have to go to work.. Maybe its just trying to get me fired!!!

Yes - I can hear the pump running, and it just reeks of gasoline when its not starting - almost like its flooded.

 

i thought u said u were not getting any spark...........

 

It turns over - but doesnt start...whrr whrr whrr....then smells really strong like gasoline.. when Honda comes out, they always seem to get it to start, but are agreeing that there is something wrong that keeps it from completing the starting action, usually first thing in the morning. This morning, I called when I was in it trying to start it, and they said it was the injectors, then after they took another look this afternoon, they said it was some connections getting wet that were corroded that was causing flooding when I was trying to start it. Sorry if Im not getting all the terms right - I'll try my best to keep giving you the correct information.