I have been searching around the various Honda/Accord sites and haven't found a definitive answer for this problem.

The Car: Stock Accord, 93, LX, F22A1, 245K. Vehicle purchased eight weeks ago. The car *APPEARS* to have been worked on and I'm assuming the previous owner got tired of throwing money bags at a "parts replacer" and never having the problem solved. It appears to have a new battery, new alternator, new dizzy and plug wires, plugs and a new head gasket. The PO also stated he had replaced the rear thermostat, the one closest to the firewall.

The Problem: Immediately when I get to a half tank of gas the car it will die at stops. It appears to come on slowly but by quarter tank it is every stop. On the highway or around town the car will "appear" to run fine. Stopping though, after going under a half tank, will kill the car. It will pop right off on restart with close to a half full tank and gets progressively worse,(see also: slower to restart), but again, any stop will kill it. Filling the tank, completely eliminates the problem.

What I have done: New fuel filter, checked timing, adjusted idle to 750, replaced idle air control with a spare, secured and tightened all air intake connections, replaced main relay, new master cylinder, new used brake booster, new used booster and check valve, new water pump and seals, new timing belt, new thermostat, new radiator flush and refill, removed replaced head, complete gasket set, intake manifold removed cleaned and replaced complete with EGR plug replacement, and a myriad of other items that have been researched, cleaned, replaced and still the problem persists.

What I haven't done: I have not checked fuel pressure(no gauge) or removed the tank for visual inspection.

A few things to note … I noticed there was coolant in the hoses connected to the idle air control and the car appears to me to run hot. I also can't get it to consistently bubble out the bleed valve. The car APPEARS to run and idle fine EXCEPT when coming down from speed. I notice it more first thing in the morning and can "hear" the motor stumble at stops ALL THE TIME but with above a half tank it will recover. Below half tank it doesn't. Applying the brake appears to have a great deal to do with it.

Questions:
I have read quite a few posts stating that they have checked all the things I have and replaced fuel filters and pumps and the problem HAS NOT been taken care of. My gut feeling is that it isn't the fuel pump and that it has something to do with the fast idle valve and the eav.

Before I replace the fuel pump I would like to know the forces at work that create the problem... and again ... I don't believe the fuel pump is at issue.

How is the amount of gas a factor?

The lower radiator hose never seems to have a constant flow and the engine and upper radiator hose gets very hot very fast. Is there a check valve somewhere?

What controls the timing? I have put a light on this and at times it will show the marks and I can adjust it ... but at other times I can't adjust it far enough to even SEE the marks.

In addition I have just started having a new problem which may provide another clue. The door ajar lights, all of them, come on whenever the hell they feel like it. It's not often but it happens.

Any assistance would be great. Again I have been correcting problems in this car for six months and have yet to solve this puzzle. I have read the internet from front to back before posting and I am looking for that one thing that ties all of these "issues" together.

 

You need to have the fuel pressure checked. It could be fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump. Get a factory service manual as well.

 

Have you checked the Main Relay? It usually goes out long before the fuel pump.

 

Yes, replaced with new relay ... one of the first things I tried. Thanks for the reply

 

The only reason I'm waiting on fuel pressure check is that it only dies at stops and I woulnd't be able to check the fuel pressure when it was happening ... only when it is idling ... and it idles ok. I can also see the tach drop at EVERY stop ... but it only dies with half tank.

I received a message about the cam position sensor and that would more likely fit all of my problems. I am going to check that out next. I "assumed" the dizzy was new and never messed with it ... I was thinking it was a fuel delivery issue or a vacuum issue ... that's what I get for thinking. Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah, I would go next to the fuel pressure. You can usually check out a gauge from a parts store, and it screws into the top of the filter. It would be good to know what it is, even at idle. It should read between 35-40 psi, if I remember correctly.

 

Thanks for the reply. I will try to do that. I probably should have done it earlier just to alleviate that but in my mind I believe that it's probably two things that feed one another. I replaced the charcoal cannister and also the fuel filter prior to removing cleaning and replacing the intake manifold and EGR plugs.

What about the fuel pressure regulator? Am I missing something completely obvious?

I feel like the timing is being affected by something that comes and goes. I can feel when it will die but I don't know what the factors are that cause it to be worse or better than worst (there's really no good ...)

Again thanks for the reply. Appreciate all the replies and any information.

 

Update. I was having an idle problem the up and down etc. I replaced the IAC valve and that fixed that. I was also having some missing problems which were corrected with a "new" distributor.

Still haven't checked fuel pressure yet but I still believe I have TWO problems that feed each other. I have a "spare" car now so I can take this out of service and actually work on it and not have to depend on it daily. One of the problems may be the fuel pressure and I will check that and report, but currently I am having what appears to be a transmission issue. Getting started from a dead stop is very slow. Going up a hill is very similar. If I have to get started up a hill it's very slow to get into the power band. In addition, the kick down doesn't work AT TIMES but there is no pattern to the malfunction.

Is the spark advance and kick down controlled by the same sensor on the trans?

Thanks for any information.

 

Another thing you might have to check is your gas tank...and/or gas gauge, does it reads accurately? and when you drive around for a while when you pop the gas cap does it have pressure in tank?

 

Where is this located?

 

Yes, gas gauge reads correctly and a half tank is actually a half tank. There is pressure in the tank when it gets low. I remove the cap and I hear the vacuum release. thanks for the reply.

 

If you lay on the drivers side floor and look up it is right infront of a silver box. Easily replaceable. O'rielly's was under 40 bux.... starting point for any presumed fuel delivery or non-starting issues. Good luck.