Odd Intermittent Starting Problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
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From: raleigh, nc, usa
Odd Intermittent Starting Problem
1990 Integ. GS, 250k miles:
The engine turns over and immediately starts. Upon, turning the key back to the ON position, the engine dies... as if I had turned the key to OFF. By that I mean it does not sputter or respond to throttle input - no cylinders are firing. The radio, etc. stay on. I discovered that if I leave the key turned to the START position for about a second after the engine fires, the engine will stay running when I turn the key back to ON. This trick cannot be good for the starter motor.
Once it stays running, no further problem - no stalling, hesitating, or idle issues, etc. It does not seem to matter if the engine is warmed up or cold.
The Check engine light does NOT indicate a problem.
The problem was around for a month, but only occasionally surfaced. It then hibernated for about a month. Now it is a problem about 80% of the time.
I had an igniter problem years ago but the engine was shutting down at random times. Also had the relay under the dash go bad years ago but it would not start at all when the interior was hot.
I have replaced no parts. Before I discovered the "pause at START" trick, I thought it was moisture in the dist. cap. ...dry as a bone. I wiped out some of the dust and reinstalled... no change.
Maybe an ignition switch or ignition-related relay this time?
Hope that is enought info.
The engine turns over and immediately starts. Upon, turning the key back to the ON position, the engine dies... as if I had turned the key to OFF. By that I mean it does not sputter or respond to throttle input - no cylinders are firing. The radio, etc. stay on. I discovered that if I leave the key turned to the START position for about a second after the engine fires, the engine will stay running when I turn the key back to ON. This trick cannot be good for the starter motor.
Once it stays running, no further problem - no stalling, hesitating, or idle issues, etc. It does not seem to matter if the engine is warmed up or cold.
The Check engine light does NOT indicate a problem.
The problem was around for a month, but only occasionally surfaced. It then hibernated for about a month. Now it is a problem about 80% of the time.
I had an igniter problem years ago but the engine was shutting down at random times. Also had the relay under the dash go bad years ago but it would not start at all when the interior was hot.
I have replaced no parts. Before I discovered the "pause at START" trick, I thought it was moisture in the dist. cap. ...dry as a bone. I wiped out some of the dust and reinstalled... no change.
Maybe an ignition switch or ignition-related relay this time?
Hope that is enought info.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Re: Odd Intermittent Starting Problem (CraigA)
man im having the same exact problem, its been doin it for about a week or so, i have a 93 integra with 230K miles. It has done it before and i has ended up just being bad gas, but im not sure if thats what it is this time... i have noticed when i put the key on the ON position, the cluster sometimes doesnt light up immediately, i have to give it a few tries, i dont know, I need some help too
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Odd Intermittent Starting Problem (CraigA)
could be just a bad ignition switch, they do go out.. they dont last forever, but if you want to be sure and have a test light, or ohm meter, and know alittle bit about electical wiring, you can take about the black cover on ur steering wheel shaft, and test the connections there for power in the ON position, at that point test the wires for power at the main relay.. Its gonna be one of those 2 items main relay or switch..
IF that sounds greek to you, take it to a shop..
IF that sounds greek to you, take it to a shop..
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