Ok here it goes I hope someone can solve this problem on my 97 Accord SE.
On yesterday I when out in the morning to go to work, put the key in and went to start the car. At the accessory position the indicator lights on the dash come on like normal and when I went to start all lights went out and no power at all (car didn’t turn over), I reset the key position and tried again and nothing so sat there and thought what just happened. I tried the dome light, opened the door, and tried the headlights and nothing. Tried one more time and it started normal with no problems the rest of the day.
This morning went out to go to work again and the same thing, I tried wiggling the battery cables and nothing. Well I kept trying to start it with no luck so I had to take my other vehicle. 3 hours later I had my wife go try to start it and it started right up.
Not sure if cold has anything to do with it, but yesterday it was 35deg. F at 5:00 when it happened and today it was 30 deg F at 6:00.
Any thoughts
Thank you in advance

 

It sounds like you've got either corroded battery cable connections or a defective Ignition switch. This is indicated by the total loss of power vehicle-wide. Honda had a recall on the 1997 Accord (and others) for the switch in question. Refer:

1997 Honda ACCORD Recall ID from NHTSA: 02V120000
Auto Recall Date: 05/16/2002
Vehicle Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1000000
1997 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.,

It involves the electrical portion of the suspect switch.
As a precautionary measure check the Master Battery Fuse in the underhood fuse box. See if it's loose.
Call Honda and see it your VIN Number requires the recall be done. You could save some money.

P

 

Thank you,
The cables are clean and tight.
I will ahve to call the dealer to see if they will change the swith. The car has alot of miles, it doesnt hurt to try.
I forgot to add that when it lost all power I had the door open and it seemed like 5 to 10 seconds after that the dome light came back on with all the other power items. When I turn the key to start it again they all went off again.

 

I would have the battery load tested too just to rule out weak battery and check the ground cable where it bolts to the block down at the front of the motor because my car did alot of weird things (turn signals didnt work til car warmed up, radio sounded crappy, lights dim until car warmed up) because that connection was corroded at the block