On two occasions this Accord has stopped running. The last time, I had stopped at a red light when the light changed I stepped on the accelerator and the engine stopped. The lights on the dash were on but the engine would not crank at all. We pushed it into a parking lot and it sat for a half hour or so. I tried to start it again and, this time it would crank but wouldn't start.

Had it towed home and, after work, several hours later the car started as usual.

The first incident was similar and, after it started, it has run flawlessly for a couple of months. Do you think the main relay might be the problem? I'm no mechanic, is there some simple way to diagnose the problem now that the car is running again?

 

Test the battery, make sure the connections are clean and tight. Main relay controls the fuel pump, but it does not control the starter.
Next check your ignition switch. With the engine on wiggle the key in the ignition if the car begins to stumble or stutter then you know the swith is worn.

 

Thanks Mike

I'm pretty sure it's not the battery it's fairly new and headlights were bright etc. but that's a good tip about the ignition switch and could be part of the problem however, both times it started right back up when it sat and cooled for a while. One other thing, the tach jumped up just before the last stall. Thanks for the ignition switch tip.

 

I would check the contacts to the Starter as well. Sometimes wires can get pinched or they might be corroding and depending on how the car moves or sits can cause the starter not to kick in right. I would do the basics first then check all the intensive stuff after you confirm that its none of the basics.

 

the tach moving when it stalls would indicate a failing ignitor .. i would pull another from the junkyard

 

Thanks all, I appreciate the advise!