I have a 2000 Accord coupe 4 cylinder - It's got about 168k miles on it. For the last 2 years it has sporadically shut off or not start (it would turn over but not ignite) but usually only when I was in a parking lot or somewhere where I was going pretty slow or stopped. It was very rare (once every couple months or less). I would sit there for 1-5 minutes turning it over and finally after a while it would start again.

I took it into a mechanic and stated the problem. In my ignorance I asked if the fuel filter could be replaced, but I was told later that he didn't think that would be the issue and it was hard to get to in this particular model. They couldn't find anything wrong and said I should just keep going until I can't go anymore, basically.

Recently it has become more of an issue (4 times in 1 day earlier this week - about 4-5 times a month normally for the last couple months). It's now dying on the highway when I'm at speed. I think it happens when I'm not actually accelerating (but I'm not 100 percent on that). I'll be going along just fine and then I have no power steering and the engine is off etc... I get the car where I can and then turn it over for 1-3 minutes and it fires back up and I'm off again.

Has anyone seen behavior like this? Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time!

 

could it be the alternator going out maybe?

im kind of having a similar problem and im pointing toward my alternator because i was unscrewing the wire nut on it and the plastic bolt holder thing shattered and probably twisted something inside.

What my car is doing is :

once my car sets for a while it starts right up but when i ran it and had
my timing light hooked up. the rpms slowly dropped untill the engine Sputtered out . i can give it gas to keep running but then it immediately sputters out when i let off the gas.
then it wouldnt fire back up. but my starter was still turning over.

(dont quote me but, i think when a battery sets UNUSED for a little it produces some electricity which is why im able to even start it after a while.)

 

Could also be a few other things, testing is key.

Ign switch-elect part- could be bad....Honda actually had a recall, don't remember if your year is covered but worth a call to the delaer to see if it is and if it was ever done. Even if it has been replaced, they replace it with the same one???, still does not rule it out...when it dies, what lights are on (oil, alt, ect)?

Then there is the main relay...when it dies and won't start right up. Turn the key off. Turn it to on - position II - does the CEL come on for a few seconds and then go off, should also be able to hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds (you'll have to turn off the radio, blower motor and enything else that makes noise).

 

Good suggestions by poorman212.

 

Thanks for the reply - I will look into your suggestions.

When the engine cuts out currently it seemed most of the lights on the dash light up. I can't remember specifically which ones lit up, but I'll be sure to check next time it happens. I do remember looking down right after I felt the car shut off and seeing all of the open door lights lit up.

Thanks