Good morning. I'm trying to help my dad with mom's Accord. Although the check engine light hasn't come on, the car is experiencing the following problem: once-in-a-while start lag. In other words, the car (at times) has a hard time starting up. It's left her temporarily "stranded" while running errands and she wants it fixed; not wait until the check engine light comes on for the computer to diagnose the problem. The Auto Zone folks sold dad a crank position sensor; his mechanic says that this model doesn't take an individual sensor part. He recommended buying the distributor cap and rotar.

We live in a very rural area and it's not easy to get to locations (such as the mechanic, parts store, etc due to the driving distance). As such, I'm wanting to find out if anyone has dealt with a similar problem with this exact vehicle and/or thinks there might be something else that's causing the problem. Also, does this particular Accord model need the separate crank position sensor? If so, where would it be located on/in the engine? Is it under the timing belt and does the timing belt need to be removed? Elsewhere? If not, would the distributor cap/rotar recommendation solve the problem? What about a gas filter? Or, is the gas filter built into the tank?

Right now we're trying to explore options, (hopefully) find a solution, and give mom the confidence back she once had in this car.

Any help, suggestions, and/or recommendations would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Leo

 

does the immobilizer light (green key light) on the cluster flash after it dies while starting? if so you may have a low voltage problem (bad battery)

 

You really have to be able to replicate it to be for sure. it could be a fuel pump check valve not workign any more(Causing, the fuel pump to have to build pressure each time you start) Could be a crank position sensor, causeing the computer to have to crank longer to allow the sensor to relay engine position(Tellign it when to fire which cylinder when)

Heres a picture of the "sensor, crank cylinder" sensor, which is what honda calls it. It looks like it is located on the passenger side, under the timing belt cover. Also, is there any leaking of power steering fluid, or oil on it? May just need cleaned.
#15 is the sensor part

 

Thanks for the help; we'll check it out!