I have a 1991 Honda Accord with approx. 280k on it.

Never had one problem with it until late last week.

As it is now it starts right away, runs for about 5 minutes (idles around 13 to 15k) then shuts down. When it shuts down, its like I've turned the key off.

Then when I try to start the car again, it will turn over but will not start.

If I let it sit for a few hours, it will start again with no problem, but shuts down again after about 5 minutes.

I thought maybe it was the main relay or the fuel pump, and changed the relay but not the pump since I can hear it come on and it still runs after the car shuts off), but the problem is still there.

The check engine light goes off and on like it is suppose to, as a matter of fact all dash lights work the way they should. The Battery is strong so I know its not that, and spark plugs are in very good condition (new)
Is there anyone who can tell me what the problem could possibly be, I'm at a complete loss.

 

sounds like textbook main relay gone bad

 

Main relay has been replaced with a new one yesterday.

 

I had one with the same symptoms, fuel pump would prime so I didn't think it was bad. Turns out it was bad, it had just enough life to prime, then work at a really low pressure for just a few minutes then die. new fuel pump fixed it.

 

How to check the fuel pump on an ACCORD 1999, 1850cc?

 

To check the fuel pump you simply check for fuel.

 

Sorry for taking so long to reply, but since posting the original message I haven't been feeling well so not much has been done.



As for the problem I was having, I had 2 things done to my car.



I had my car taken to a mechanic who said the problem was my fuel pump because when I started the car, I could hear the fuel pump, then when the engine cut out, I could no longer hearing it at all. So I had the fuel pump changed.



Turns out, that was not the problem. The mechanic then told me it was the master relay, so I had a new one put in. For some reason I didn't believe the mechanic (don't know why) so I kept the old relay. Turns out, it wasn't the relay because I still had the same problem, so I tested the old relay and found it was working fine.



The mechanic then said it won't start now because of the problem with the fuel and and relay, it caused multiple engine problems which would require me to have the engine taken out and rebuilt.



I then called Honda explained the problem and they told me exactly what it was. It was the coil and the iginitor under the distributor cap. I changed both with no problems. Now my Honda runs perfect.



I took out the "new" relay and put the old one back in and still no problem (I put the old one back to see if there was a problem with it, since it was the first time I ever tested one).



So now, the car runs perfect and I now know better then to take my car to a mechanic who obviously knew nothing and was out to just make money.

It is kind of interesting, atleast I think so, that Honda was able to tell me exactly what was wrong with just me describing the problem on the phone. Nobody at the Honda dealer seen the car, and they were right. I'm impressed with them...

 

You said you called Honda. Was it the service manager you talked to or someone else?

 

Yes, it was the service manager I spoke too...