I'll give you the whole story as I am at a complete loss. I have a 1990 Honda Accord. Yesterday, when I went to leave work I tried to start the car and it would turn over but wouldn't start. After several tries I finally got it to start, and drove home with no problems. This morning, went to leave for work, same thing happened. Car would turn over but was having a hard time starting up, but it eventually started after a few tries.

After driving about ten - fifteen miles on the highway I got off on my exit, turned at the next light and the car just shut off. Tried to start it again, and it will turn over, but won't start.

This didn't happen until we started to get hit with heavy rain. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any suggestions as to what it could be?

 

Did all the lights come on when it shut off? Or did it act like the key was moved to the Off position? Or was it just the motor and all electrical items still functioned? Like your lights.

Any CEL?

I had similar issues (acted though like the key was turned to off) and it was the electrical portion of the ignition switch. I had replaced the alternator (possibility for you) already and had no change in behavior.

 

All the dash lights came on, wipers still worked, heater etc. So it was just the motor.

 

This sounds exactly like what just happened to me. As another member here suggested, it was the ignitor. I changed it out, and changed the cap and rotor at the same time, as the rotor had been hot as hell and was brittle. Haven't had problem since. knock on wood.

 

test the parts in your distributor with a multimeter, digitals are better than analog btw.

 

Buy a new distributor with a lifetime warranty and you will be set.

 

if it happen to you agian you might wanna check your main relay ,some times when it get hot it acts like that ...i had that same problem, and it was just my main relay

 

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