Hey everyone,

I've got a 1997 Honda Accord with 145k miles on it.

The only issue I'm having with the car is that on random days it won't start (seems to be when it rains/snows or is cold enough that their is frost on the hood). The very next day it starts with no issue. I don't believe it is a battery issue. I've replaced the ignition switch within the last few months and replaced the started about 3-4 years ago.

I've parked my car in long term parking for over a week and started it with no issue, but some days there is no hope. Before I give up I was just wondering if this could be an issue as simple as spark plugs or something?

It really confuses me. I wouldn't mind driving it for another year or two if it is a cheap and inexpensive fix. Is this a common problem?

 

Check the distributor cap for cracks. Fairly common.

 

I'll assume the starter is turning the engine - just the engine won't start up and run.

Another common thing is the main relay. When it acts up, when you turn the key from off/pos 0 to on/pos II, listen for the fuel pump to prime for ~3 seconds.

 

What does it do when it doesnt start? Do you turn the key and nothing happens? Then randomly, the starter will turn over, but other times, just nothing happens? If this is the case, I say a very good bet is the starter is beginning to go out. When the starter is on its way out, it will have intermittent no-starts. If you take a big metal object and bang the starter (eg. lug nut tool), and then the car starts, then that usually tell you that its the starter.

I have rebuilt my original starter 2 times which lasted 2 years each time, and the 3rd time it went out, I decided to just get an autozone starter with lifetime warranty.