I inherited a 99 honda accord. It runs and drives fine for the most part. The IAC has went out so the idle jumps up and down put no big deal easy fix. The problem i cant seem to find though is the fact that if it sits on a hill for to long it wont start. This has happened a few times now. I am a very competent mechanic but i work mostly on vw's. The motor turns over just fine but it acts like there is no gas. The first time it did this i was low on gas so i just dropped the e-brake and let her role to flat ground. It fired no problem. Most recently it did it, it was parked beside my barn on a hill for a few days. Wouldnt start. This time i couldnt role it to flat groound so i went and put gas in it. I put in 5 gallons give or take a little. Still wouldnt start. Chained her to my truck roled her around the yard to a good flat spot and it fired right up. I know it has the theft deterent system in it. Is there i relay that could have went bad and wont let it start? Does the fuel pump have a ppick up hose that could have fallen off in the tank? I have worked on cars a long time and never had a prob like this one. I dont know hondas very well though so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Also i tried the trash in the tank theory and rocked her back and forth pretty hard. With gas in it, it should have floated away giving her a chance to start. I have also had no probs while driving the car like cutting out.

 

Unlike Honda Motorcycles, the auto division doesn't incorporate 'Tip-Over Sensors" in their cars, so that idea's out

Does there appear to be any push-up damage to the tank bottom?
When you tank up, does it belch a lot? (kick Back?)
Does this occure when the tank is full or at a some lesser level?

P

 

Nah there is no damage to the tank. Both times that its done this its been around an 1/8 a tank on gas. But the last time it did it i put in at least 5 gallons, which no matter how its setting should have been enough to get gas flowing again. When it does it i know im getting fire just no gas. Oh and ive also taken the cap off to make sure it wasnt vapor locked. Im lost on this one.

 

Could be that your fuel pump is going out and it's working intermittently. Or, that there's varnish/gunk in the tank that once on the pickup, won't come off by shaking.

Next time it does this, try beating on the tank with something that won't dent it, and see if it starts. If it does, I'd say your fuel pump is on it's way out.