I have a 94 ex Accord. If the engine stalls then the car is impossible to start. I have to wait 10-15min to get the thing to start again. Once started it runs great. Occasionally when you step on it power is reduced and then it will take off then run fine. (kinda makes me think ignition) When it's hot outside the problem gets worse. The reason I dont think its ignition is when it wont start I have stuck a screwdrive up the spark plug wire and checked for spark, and I get spark.

Most of the time I dont have long to debug because I can never get it to do it when I want and then when it does do it it will start shortly after that. It is so fricken frustrating I want to run that damn thing off a cliff. It always stall at the worst of times.

When running it idles fine and runs fine.

Are there any good techs on here that have seen this before that can point me in the right direction?

 

how many miles are on this car? modded or stock? 5spd or auto?

having to fight with it to get it to start seems like a pgmfi relay, but randomly stalling doesn't

have you checked base timing? (make sure the timing belt didn't slip)
have you checked fuel pressure? if not can you at least hear the fuel pump prime when its not starting? I'd still want to check fuel pressure, but not everyone has a gauge they can drive down the road with and monitor...I just hook my snap on gauge up and tape it to the windshield and go for a ride

lastly...any chance you can swap ecu's? try another one if you can see if the problem persists

stuff like this sucks to diag, check all the basics to make sure its not something simple...ie shitty plugs/wires, fuel pump on its way out(check fuel pressure don't just replace), clogged up fuel filter (replace it) check to make sure the valve cover spark plug seals aren't leaking and soaking the ends of the wires in oil...oh and battery voltage too...make sure its good and the alternator is putting out at least 13.5

thats all I can really think of with out some more info on the car...maybe some one else can chime in

 

I would say main relay to be causing the problem. It controls the ignition system and fuel supply. When it goes bad it usually makes a car stall instantly then you have to wait a few minutes for it to cool down and restart it. Also when its hot outside it has a better chance to fail.

 

Car has about 200k miles its a 5 speed. Completely stock. This is my daily beater.

No oil in spark plug holes timing belt and head gasket/valve cover gaskets were replaced about 10k miles ago. Timming is perfect. I have a fuel pressure guage that bolts on the end of the fuel rail. So I couldn't see it while driving. No Chance at swapping ECUs I dont have a spare.

It will stall sometimes when starting and others when I let the clutch out to quickly. If it stalls out then it wont start wait 10-15 min and it starts as if nothing was wrong.

The relays sound like a good place to start are they located under the hood or dash?

 

Under the driver side dash. It's some small box that is about 1inch by 2.5 inchs in size and has a few wires coming from it. If i remember correctly its more towards the center console area.

 

i thought i remembered a heat soak problem with these when i worked for honda (there was a bulletin)....im not sure if the plugs/wires, cap and rotor were the fix.

 

replace or re-solder the main relay...I have never seen a main relay CAUSE a stall...from your first post I assumed you had an auto and it was an engine running condition causing the stall and keeping from re-starting

the main relay is a pretty common problem among older/high mileage honda's...**** I have two of them on my bench just so I can throw one in a car real quick if it comes in with a no-start

you can re-solder them if you don't feel like spending the 50-70$ the parts store/dealer is going to whack you for a new one...I think if you search on g2ic.com there is a writeup on re-soldering a bad main relay

hopefully you can see the attached pics...shows relay location

if you can't figure it out email me (joe@ondemandperformance.com) I'll see what I can come up with for you

 

Thanks 92_civic really helpful today was the first time it stalled while driving I really need to fix this. It seems to be getting worse. I've got 6 broken ribs just need to find someone to crawl under there for me.

 

I thought I would post an update. I replaced the fuel pump and resoldered the relay. Car starts everytime now.