SOLVED-- SEE REPLY
I checked the impressive FAQ guides and other hard starting threads before posting this, but nothing seemed like it was a similar problem. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

My father's 1994 Honda Accord LX (4 cylinder, automatic, sedan) with about 280,000 miles on it is suffering from an intermittent hard starting issue. Fuel pump, filter, fuel pump relay have all been recently replaced. However, I still think the problem is on the fuel delivery side. Normally if you twist the key into the run position, you will hear the fuel pump cycle and then turn the key to the start position and the vehicle fires right up. When I turn the key to the run position I will not hear the pump cycle but sometimes after about 15 seconds, I will hear the fuel pump cycle (many times it doesn't) When I hear it cycle, it is shorter and softer than what it should be, like the pump is only operating at half speed for half the time is usually does. If I don't hear the pump cycle, the car will not start. If I do, it almost always starts. The number of twist and wait attempts required to get the pump to cycle seems to be increasing. This is just weird. My first guess would be that the relay wasn't sending a signal to the fuel pump, but the relay was recently replaced. Is there some other component of the fuel delivery system that could be preventing the signal from getting sent to the fuel pump? YOU would think that either the relay would send the signal immediately or it wouldn't send it at all, or the pump wouldn't register that it got a signal or it would detect the signal and immediately cycle normally. The battery is strong, the starter motor was replaced a year or two ago.



This one has me stumped. Anybody have suggestions for solutions or troubleshooting?

Thank you so much for your time!

 

Though a different beast, My 93 has nearly the same issue. I kept thinking that it was the common issue of the fuel relay under the dash.

I just recently diagnosed it as a bad connection on the back of the key switch. I found that I needed to do more then just off and on with the key switch multiple times, but remove the keys, put them back in it works. Not necessarily the tumbler part of the key switch, but I would check the short wiring harness that the key turns behind the switch. It has brass/copper connections that were or get dirty.

 

That might just be it. It's a mid 90's honda, so it's been stolen several times and attempted a dozen. Last time they ruined the ignition switch (on the far side of the steering column from the key cylinder. Fortunately I didn't have to replace the lock side but it has seen more than just normal use. Thank you very much for the suggestion. I'll report back here so if this is the fix, the next guy will benefit from you wisdom. You're awsome!

 

Problem solved: It turned out to me an issue with the main board for the ECU. Had to replace the board, but the issue has been solved. Just wanted to post the solution for anyone that is having a similar issue. Hope it helps someone!