Hey all I started having a problem with my car 2 days ago. 1990 Accord EX coupe A/T. I went to a friends house, got out of the car for a few minutes, came back and it wouldn't start. After sitting for 10-15 minutes it started up and ran. I was told to replace the ECT sensor, which I did, then test drove the car for about 10 minutes, at which point it stalled out while going down the road, and again wouldn't restart for about 10 minutes. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm on a strictly diy budget.

Forgot to add, that there is no CEL... at all, even when turning the ignition to the on position.

 

when it stalls and won't restart chk to see if you getting any spark.and or fuel.

could be a bad igniter,,

 

Do you think it could have anything to do with the ECU due to the no check engine light? What can I troubleshoot without the problem occurring as it only happens randomly going down the road, which I want to prevent.

Thanks,

 

As mentioned, the next time that the car cranks but will not start, check for spark. If you're not getting spark or getting very weak yellow sparks, the distributor ignitor is bad. If you're getting strong blue sparks, then you have a fueling issue (bad main fuel relay or winter blend fuel vaporization) or a bad ignition switch contact assembly. The characteristics you've described don't fit with a main relay though (normally causes hard starting after the car has sat baking in the heat of the sun; usually won't cause the car to stall after driving for several minutes) or an ignition switch (stalling while driving, hard starting, stalling shortly after startup).

I can guarantee you that the problem isn't the TW/ECT sensor or the ECU. Sounds like the Check Engine light bulb may be burnt out or missing though if it doesn't illuminate a few seconds for the self-test when turning the key to position II ("on").

I'm betting on the ignitor. Stalling while driving and no restart after a hot soak is a main symptom of a bad ignitor. It's a pretty easy fix on these cars and the part usually costs less than $60.

 

Thanks guys, that will definitely help me focus my attention in the right place.