So this afternoon I wanted to grab some food before I had to get ready for work. Went out and hopped in the car, turned the key. Chirp chirp chirp chirp, no start. It cranked, but didn't start. I didn't hear the fuel pump kick on.

It was definitely getting spark, so ECU was ruled out. I loosened the fuel line from the fuel rail and tried it again. Dry as a bone, nothing. I checked the fuse for the fuel pump and it was perfect. So I figured the fuel pump was shot. Got a ride to work.

Tonight after I came home, I had to go out to the car to grab another pack of smokes and I just decided "oh what the hell I'll see if it starts". Put the key in, it cranked over about 4 or 5 times and started right up. No funny noises or codes. I was under the assumption that when a fuel pump craps out, it simply craps out; it doesn't just work half the time until it eventually completely fails.

Is there something I'm missing here or what?

It's a 99 Accord EX with the 2.3 SOHC VTEC. Bone stock. Anybody have any ideas?

 

Nevermind, I got it figured out. Did a little more research and came to find out it was the main relay, which I just replaced and everything is fine.

 

Hey Skando, I got a 2000 accord EX and have the exact same problem!!! I also thought it was my fuel pump. Sometimes i would go start my car and it would just chugg and stall.. but if i wait a lil bit.. it'll crank right over. It's a hit and miss, sometimes it won't happen for a week. How did you fix it? Please fill me in. Thanks

 

If you read first reply, you'd see it was the main relay. I believe the part was $60 from Honda and a 5 minute replacement. It's a black relay under the dash on your drivers side. There's a brown plug going into it.

Do a search and there's a write up on it with pictures.