I have a 99 Accord 4-cyl coupe and I have been having motor problems. From time to time when the car was idle, the motor would hesitate while I am at a stop for a split second and goes away. The surge is soo quick that the RPM gauge doesn't even read it. Last night while I was in a parking lot, it started hesitating really bad and was running really rough, almost like it was misfiring or something. I reset my ECU and checked all my plugs and stuff and nothing looked wrong. Afterwards, I started driving and the car was running normal even while at idle. When I got the car home and turned off the car, it tried to start it again and it would not start. The starter would turn but the car would not start.

When my car was idling rough, my engine check light came on but when I got home and tried to check the code, the check light some how mysteriously turned off so I can't check the CEL code.

I was suspecting that it might be my O2 sensors going bad. I went and unplugged the 2 O2 sensor harnesses and tried to start the car but it would not start at all. I know that if the O2 sensors were busted, the car would still start if the sensors are unplugged. My second thought is that it might be my fuel system not being able to deliver enough fuel to start the car. Another suspicion is that my ignition timing is off and that the car can't start.

At this point, I don't know what is wrong with the car and it can't even start at all. Have any of you guys experienced anything like this or have some insight on what may be going wrong?

 

im gonna go out on a limb and say distributor...but i could be wrong. similar thign happend to me, replaced starter, coil, and distributor....and now it works.


[Modified by One2chi, 1:26 AM 3/3/2003]

 

I agree on the distributor. I would check that first. As far as CEL codes go, they are stored in the ECU so you can check all stored codes anytime unless you reset the ECU. Pull the code and see what it says.

 

call the dealer with your VIN and see if your car is affected by the ignition switch recall. That isn't exactly the behavior typical of what it does, but I would start by eliminating a known problem with the car.

 

I have checked with the dealer when the recall was issed that my car isn't on the list for the recall.

I guess I will looking to the ignition system. Hopefully, the cause of the problem is there. Thanks for your help.