recently we noticed our 96ex will not start unless we turn the key to the on position first and wait for the gear indicator to show drive + check engine light turns on then both turn off. after they both turn off (happens at the same time) we can turn the key the rest of the way and she cranks right up.
does anyone know what this is (ecu maybe) or is this normal for accords?

 

no thats definently not normal...you could have a bad fuel pump becuase it sounds like its taking it a while to kick on and get pressure..do you hear the fuel pump click on right as you turn the key the first time or does it take it a minute

 

would that trigger a cel? i haven't listened for the fuel pump yet btw.

 

Doesn't sound like you're describing a CEL. The lamps are supposed to come on for a couple seconds during their self-check routine. But it's NOT normal for the car to be unable to start during this 2 seconds.

 

great, now that we established that this isn't normal, does anyone know what would cause this? is it normal for the gear indicator to light the drive gear during this check?

 

im confused at what your saying...you said earlier the check engine light went off...does it come back on or something or what?...and what exactly do you mean the gear indicator lights the drive gear..like theres a light around what gear your in or what? that doesnt make much sense

 

when i start the car, i have to turn the key just to the on position. all the light turn on and off as normal but the cel stays on. then the green D4 (gear indicator) light turns on and then it and the cel turn off at the same time. as soon as they turn off i can start the car but not until then. sometimes this all happens in a moment, sometimes it takes a while.

i just want to know what is causing this. i've never had a car do this or even heard of this before. why can't my car break down like a normal car?

 

It could the electrical portion of your ignition switch -- a fairly easy fix.

 

how would that be related the gear indicator coming on and turning off?

 

You sure that just isn't the delay in your fuel pump priming?

 

would that make the drive light come on?

 

it could...does your CEL come on when driving at all or after you start it? why dont you check to see if you have any check engine light codes..if not then Im clueless..its possible its the fuel pump or at least thats my first guess..or it could be something to do with the ignition switch as someone said before

 

I'm assuming this is an automatic, and yes, it's normal for the D4 light to come on for a few seconds (in addition to P). As others said, it sounds like the fuel pump is the problem.

 

wouldn't that cause the cel to come on while i'm driving?