My friend has a 4-cylinder 94-97 Accord. I think it's either a '94 or '95 (yeah... he doesn't know for sure...). Anyway, I was driving it to the store the other day and right as I'm leaving my friend's neighborhood and I only make it about a mile before I start going up a slight hill and feel loss of power even though I still have my foot on the throttle. I look down in time to see the RPM pause at 700 then just dip to 0.

The fuel gauge on his car does not work past the half-tank mark, so it's nearly impossible to tell how much gas is in it unless you keep it full to half-full. I thought it might have ran out of gas so we went back to his house, got a gas can and put a gallon into the car. The car didn't start. You can hear it turning over.

Anyway, I turned the car to the on position or whatever you called it, got out and tried to listen for the sound of the fuel pump whirring. There's silence from the trunk and underneath the car when i turn the key. The fuse for the fuel pump is good.

I've never worked on a Honda so I was wondering if you guys think it's the fuel pump or could it be something else I'm missing? I don't even know if you're supposed to be able to hear the fuel pump running on Hondas when the motor is off but car is on.

 

For the 17 years I have been working on Hondas at my shop I have never seen a failed fuel pump.

 

Any lights come on?

 

No lights come on (not sure about this but I think I would remember if I noticed any). If it's extremely unlikely for the fuel pump to fail I'm thinking that the pump got filled with sediment, the lines, or the fuel filter at this point. Any input?

 

wow you must not have seen that many "honbeer"
but yes.. it is fairly common for them to go out in 95 and below years of hondas
espcially in hot temperatures.
the funy thing is mine just went out on tuesday in my 91 civic
chck the wires to the actual pump for voltage the check the main relay.
oh and you should hear the fuel pump kick on fairly loud for about two to three seconds after turning the ignition to the "on" mark

 

We really do not see Hondas that old come in my shop. It is the neighborhood my shop is in.

 

The only fuel pump I've ever seen replaced on a Honda was a newer civic because it was sucking in air around 1/4 tank.

My diagnostic strategy could change for similar symptoms based on what I actually see happening with the vehicle. You say the fuel gauge doesn't work. You MIGHT want to put a bit more than a gallon in it just to be sure ( will need gas eventually anyway and it's a quick-check you can do ).

As mentioned, I would confirm the check engine light works and listen carefully for a noticable 'click' sound from behind the steering wheel area ( you're listening for the fuel pump relay to operate ).

From your description, it sounds like you ran out of gas. I'd put more in before tearing the car apart.

 

If the fuel pump isn't running I'd bet money on a main relay.

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

I've had it happen twice now to cars I work on and if it wasn't for fourms like this and the link above I would have been left thinking the same thing you are!

Cheers bro and I hope this info saves the day....