I bought a used 97 Honda Accord a little over a year ago. I was told when I bought it that it needed a new fuel pump. Turns out it was actually in need of a new transmission, but the car still ran fine. It was illegal the first 9 months I owned it so it didn't drive around much; was just used to go to the store near my home. Finally I got everything up to date and literally the very next day the car overheated and the engine started making a really bad sound every time it was turned on. I had it towed to a mechanic that owns the old Island Honda shop here in Hawaii. He replaced the water pump, the timing belt, spark plugs, air filter and did a complete tune up, fluid changes, etc. He said miraculously I didn't blow the engine or head gasket or Pistons. I was told the car would run at least another 2 years and a month after getting it back it broke down. It lurched forward and I seemed to be losing power when stepping off the gas. It shut off while driving and wouldn't turn on for a while. I finally got it back on and it just kept turning off on me anytime I would come to a stop or step off the gas. I towed it home, had 2 mechanics look at it and one finally got it back on. He tested my fuel pump which is still working and I got jumped and it was seemingly driving fine. Then the same day I go to run an errand and the car shuts off on me and I'm able to keep restarting it and eventually make it back home. After some research I'm convinced it's the IAC valve. I have that replaced and get the car jumped and it actually seems to be driving fine and no longer stalling out. I then make a second trip to the store and the car shuts off on me again. Once I get it home, it won't start at all a few hours later. Now I'm thinking it's the battery because it had been sitting for a couple months and was probably drained because the only time it ran was when I would get jumped. I got a brand new battery from Costco and it still won't start. I got some carbon cleaner and cleaned my alternator, still nothing. Today I took my main relay apart and there was a little black gunk but no cracks in any of the points and so I cleaned it and tried to start the car, it still won't start. It turns over like its about to start and the starter was also replaced shortly before I bought the car and has never given me issues before.... So I'm seriously at a loss. Sorry for the lengthy post. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I can't afford another 1500$ tow and mechanic visit and I know it's got to be something silly. So much has been replaced at this point already.

 

Have you checked the basics?

Fuel/fuel pressure/fuel filter?

Air/air filter?

Ignition/blue-white spark?

Itishardtoreadwhenallyourthoughtsarecrammedtogethe r.