Interesting...son was driving his 95 accord LX home and both the tack and speedometer dropped to "0" but the engine did not falter. He got it home and turned off the engine and tried to start it again. The engine would kick over like it started then immediately turn off. I checked the wiring inside and out plus fuses and everything looked good. Verified all his electrical was was working inside and it all worked. Also monitored all the indicators on the his instrument panel during intial start up, you know oil, brake, ect, they come on and go off as soon as the engine starts like normal. Wonder if I have problem with the ignition switch but I am starting to think ECU may be a player here also. Any Ideas??

 

It sounds like an ignition switch problem, although usually the engine would shut off right away too. It's pretty common on 98-02 models, but not so common on 94-97 models.

When you start the car, it dies as soon as you release the key, right? Try fiddling with the key... As soon as the engine starts, slowly move the key back to "ON" from "START", but don't let it rest completely in the "ON" position. Can you keep the car running like that? What about if you immediately put pressure on the key (try different directions, in the "ON" position) before the engine dies? If any of this keeps the engine running, the problem is definitely the igntion switch.

 

i had somthing like that happen to my 91 turned out the harness that goes to the regulator part of the alternator must of shook off. My gauges all died than about 20-30 min latter the car started to run rough.