I need some help with our honda accord. 1999 Honda Accord Lx, auto, 4 cyl, 160,000miles.

We have been driving it with no problems and then all the sudden yesterday we went to leave and the car wouldnt start. It would just crank over as if it was out of gas. I was in a hurry so I took my truck. When I got home last night I tried to start it again. No luck, same thing. This morning I got up and tried again, it started right up. I let it run for a while and shut it off. It sat all day. I got home from work today and got in to take it to the store, it wouldnt start!!!!!!!!!

Any ideas? this just came on all of the sudden. Its been running great until this.
Anything I can check?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!
thanks!

 

On my older Hondas, intermediate run/no start issues are normally due to the main relay. I'm not sure if the newer ones are subject to the same problem.

 

Yup sounds like main relay. You can try removing it and resoldering the connections on the main relay again, go to junkyard and get one from an accord, or buy a new one on eBay, dealer, etc.

 

do they sell the relays at the parts store, like autozone, kragen, etc?

Also, where is the main relay located? Can I tell if its bad by looking at it?
Any way to make sure thats what it is?

thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sounds like the main relay, moreso the fuel pump terminal (#7).

It's located under the steering wheel. Remove the panel underneath, and you should see it.

 

okay I pulled the panel to the left of the steering wheel. There was no fuse labeled 'main' but there was a 15a fuel pump fuse. Pulled it and it looks fine.

I checked in the fuse box under the hood. There is a 50a glass/plastic see through fuse that is held in place with two screws. That one looks fine also.

I tried starting the car and it started right up. I shut it off 4 or 5 times this morning and everytime it started right back up.

this is gonna be frustrating I can tell already. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

No, it's directly under the steering wheel. Pull off the panel that is under there.

 

before you go replacing stuff do you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn the car to the "on" position? you should hear the fuel pump go "buurrmmm" and then turn off since the car was not started

 

Just some info. on the main relay:

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelaydefine.html

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

 

That'll do it.

Thanks for adding the picture.

 

Okay, I had to go out of town for a few days. We took the Honda. It started evertime. But this morning I went to start it up to drive from the hotel to my work location. Wouldnt start. So i got a ride from someone else. My lady calls me and said it started right up for her.

So we started thinking. When I use my key it doesnt start, when it does start it is always with her key. We just got a spare made a few weeks ago and I never put two and two together. I guess because my key fits and turns the car over. So I tried it one after the other. Sure enough wouldnt start with my key. Put hers in and it fires right up.

How could this be? Her key is a Genuine Honda key, and mine is a spare that we had made. We actually had two made and neither one will START the car. Both unlock the doors, both fit in the ignition, both turn the car over but only the original honda key will actually start the car.

Any ideas why this is?? Do I have to get a key from honda for some reason??
Thanks.

 

im not sure . is there an chip in the key . .my caddi was like that paid 2bucks for some copys as spares . to find out all they do is open the doors and trunk .the copy at th dealer was $135

 

Your car may have the Immobilizer system in it, and the key would have a transponder. See the following TSB:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/accord/x97-058e.pdf

 

You need to use keys that are from Honda because of the immobilizer.

 

That was a good catch. I also have a 99 and just had keys made at the dealer. They work just fine. Dealer cost is $45 each. The 99 does have a transponder in the key.

 

could be fuel pump, worn grounds, dirty tb. it needs air, gas , elec to start the car up.

 

i have a 99 accord and yes its the key all my spare key is for to unlook the door and trunk just incase i look my original set in the car. you can also call you local honda dealer and ask thats what i did

 

Yeah, get a key made at Honda, bring her working key with you as they need it to "read" the transponder code to program it to the new key.

 

98+ accords have immobilizer....gotta use a programmed key to start the car