I have a 1989 Honda Accord LX-i. It is fuel injected. Last week it was starting up then dying a few seconds later. If I kept on the gas a little for a min or two it would stay on and then it would drive just fine. Then it stopped dying and would work just fine, and I had no problems with it until today.

Today I drove to the store and came out and it started right up and immediately died. Tried again same thing. I tried again this time keeping on the gas for a little bit and when I let off it died. I waited and checked under the hood didn't find anything in the dark so I tried to start it again. This time I kept a little on the gas 1,500 rpm or so for about 2 min and it drove home ok but it was idling under 1,000 rpm's and it usually is around a thousand or above. I'm not sure what it is supposed to idle at though. It was running a little ruff each time I stopped at a stop sign but when accelerating it was smooth. Can anyone give me any ideas what the problem could be? Thanks for any help.

 

You'll probably want to start with testing your fuel pressure. Also, it should idle warm at under 1000 rpm, if I recall correctly.

 

Tune up items are up to date?

Are there any codes in the ECU?

IF you want to think about fuel pressure the filter is the best pace to start.....easy to change, right/pass side on the firewall....you can use the 10mm (?~maybe 12) service bolt to let the pressure out.

 

you could always try to just let the fuel system prime. Sometimes the car will stall if you don't. Just put the key to the on position DON'T START you should hear a hum. After that you can start the car. The check engine light also turns off when the priming is over.

 

3 months ago I did a tune up and changed the fuel filter. No check engine light. So I don't think there are any codes.

I will get the fuel pressure checked.

I will try to let it prime first and see if that helps.

Thanks everyone.

 

most of these vehicles should be hovering ~700 rpm if it was usually over 1000+, maybe the ect was sending a signal to stay in "open loop mode"

check air filter?

throttle body valve clean?

http://www.troublecodes.net/honda/

just check to see if there's trouble codes...

 

They idle higher at first in cold weather, too.

 

yes, that's called "open loop" mode...

 

Just an update. I went up to a different town in a higher elevation and it almost died while driving and gave me a code. 5. The mechanic said it's the MAP sensor.