hi all, new here

wife has a 99 accord
most of the time (80%), it starts with no problem.
sporadically, when she tries to start it, it will just click.
sometimes when it clicks, she will stop, try to start it again and it will click again. this could go on for many tries, or just a couple.
today it seemed to be acting worse. she said she was stopped at a stop sign, waiting to go, when it just shut off. the radio was still working though. took her 6 tries to get it started. this is the first time i recall it actually stopping after having been running.

its not anything simple like a tune up, or dirty battery posts.
thoughts?

thanks in advance

 

Sounds like a bad ignition switch, electrical portion. Initially I would have said a bad starter solenoid but then you said it started dieing so now I go with switch.

 

I second the floor motion on replacing the ignition switch.

Here's an illustration:



You're interested in number 8

P

 

ok, thanks all
so, it looks like i wouldnt be able to replace that switch on my own, or am i crazy?
for what its worth, i was able to replace the cabin air filters on my own, if that gives you an idea of my skill level 8-)

 

The only thing that may give a "few moments" and require a few "refreshments" will be the "tamper-proof" screws (#4) which secure the electrical portion to the lock mechanism itself. I've had to drill the heads off, and extract the remaining stud to get the job done.
Gaining access isn't all that bad: removing both the upper and lower Steering Colume covers. It's the physical gyrations that get most people.

Oh, and when you order the switch from Honda, make sure the replacement screws come with the switch (if not, order them too).

P

 

ok, update:
yesterday when i got home she said the car wouldnt start, so she left it alone like i asked her.
i try to start it, click
i put her in and i go to the starter, and put my finger on it.
she tries to start it, click
but i realized that the "click" ive been hearing is actually some type of noise created at the starter itself. almost like some metal banging into metal. (im trying to describe it in a way as to not lead anybody into the wrong conclusion). i can feel the click on the starter housing.
we try it 10 more times, click every time. the 11th try, it starts like nothing was wrong. shut it off, try again, starts right up again.
does this info change the diagnosis?
in my other post, i mentioned it stalled at a stop sign, but i am thinking that the stall was a coincidence and has nothing to do with the starting up problem.
thanks again.

 

the starter is probably seizing ... i had that problem once ... my car would'nt start ... so i banged the starter with a hammer and boom started up ... but of course i still had to replace it

 

i couldnt find my hammer, or i would have smacked it as well.

 

Check and make sure of several things first.

Assume the battery's discharged and recharge it.
If that takes care of the problem, check the Alternator output. With the engine running (and at idle) you should see 13.8 to 14.2 volts at the battery terminal.
If that checks ok, continue to
Observe the lights when you try starting it. If they only dim slightly, then the solenoid switch is working, but the starter itself (worn brushes / bad spot on the armeture) is trash. If the lights dim a LOT, the starter's got an internal short.

P

 

based on that p, without checking anything, i feel pretty good its the starter.
will check it all though

 

If it eventually starts, the battery is good, change the starter, viola. Dont worry about the ignition switch unless it has some more continued dieing at stops, but that will still need more diagnosis.

 

its a common problem.
it happened to me too... THE EXACT WAY THAT YOU DESCRIBE IT
ITS YOUR MAIN RELAY!

read this:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2324403


Modified by tragicinc at 12:16 PM 11/9/2008

 

I had the exact problem with my accord (f22b2). It would click endlessly with no start. But I didn't touch the main relay, I took the starter out and got it fixed at a shop for 25 bucks. Now it starts up every time.

But also note that mine is a 96 with a f22b2

 

The clicking he is discribing is from a non-reactive starter (it will not turn over)
The Main Relay has no related function for the starter.

The Main relay is (in effect) two relays in one.
The first powers the fuel pump
The second powers the ECM

The Starter utilizes two circuits.
The first utilizes: Battery / Fuse / Ignition Switch / Neutral Start Switch* / Starter Solenoid / Chassis Ground / Battery.
The second utilizes: Battery / (Solenoid) / Starter Motor / Chassis Ground / Battery.

P

*Automatic (Clutch Over-ride Switch for Manuals)

 

ok, so today she tells me the car shut off on her on two separate occasions.
perhaps the starter isnt the big problem here.
to recap:
car occasionally doesnt start and just clicks. was rare and is becoming more common.
car never shut off during driving, but did recently, and then twice today.
seems like something is getting slowly worse and worse.
of the things mentioned: ignition switch, main relay, starter, are any a realistic cause?

 

If she will abmit that it has shut off on her with no provocation at all, it may well be the Ignition Switch as first discussed.
here is an ESB from honda which discussed the problem:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq...e.pdf

Here's the verbage from another sourse:
1999 Honda ACCORD Recall ID from NHTSA: 02V120000
Auto Recall Date: 05/16/2002
Vehicle Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1000000
1999 HONDA ACCORD Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Defect Consequence:
WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.,

and again: Another recall involving the switch:
1999 Honda ACCORD Recall ID from NHTSA: 03V423000
Auto Recall Date: 10/27/2003
Vehicle Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 563861
1999 HONDA ACCORD Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE ¿OFF¿ POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
Defect Consequence:
IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., 03-088/03-034

I hope this affords some direction

P

 

you wouldnt happen to have a link to all recalls involving the 99 accord, would you?
i seem to recall the car going in for a recall for stalling a while ago (>5 years ago iirc)
also, if this car already had the recall done, whats the chances the problem re-occurred?

 

you mean the ignition module recall? ... all you need to do is call up a honda dealer ... give them your vin # and ask them to look up the recall history for your car


Modified by FunnyVictor86 at 7:09 PM 11/10/2008

 

A Google search kicked this out:

I believe this may be a most current listing. Check with your Honda Dealer for details and any other listings.

http://www.autobuyguide.com/19....html

P

 

i have the exact same problem with my wife's car, clicking when trying to start occasionally and the engine dying while driving. i replaced the ignition switch and that fixed the dying, i still have the clicking occasionally - I'm going to replace the starter and see if that works.

my car had the recall already done, the part died 8 years after it was fixed. Thanks for the shitty part honda!