86 Accord. Starts great when motor is cold. Will not start when hot. Must cool for 30 minutes then motors starts with no problem.

Can smell raw gas so fuel is getting to injectors.

Computer says code 6 which Chiltons says is "coolant system". Coolant is full. No leaks.

Some of my research indicates TW sensor. I am puzzeled because I read that there are 2 TW sensors, one by the thermostat, and one by the oil filter?
Also the part store does not know what TW sensor is. If my problem is TW sensor, could they be called something else? What does TW stand for?

THanks!!

 

main relay probably went bad.

 

That's weird.... usually when the TW sensor goes bad, you'll have hard starting when the engine is cold, but it'll start fine when warm (the reason for this being, the ECU doesn't know the engine is cold, thus doesn't supply the extra fuel needed for starting a cold engine). On Hondas usually everytime they don't start when it's hot (ambient temp, rather), it's the main relay. I suppose if the TW sensor was always telling the ECU that the engine was cold, it could possibly be flooding it by supplying the extra fuel when it's not needed (when warm). It 'should' still start up at least though, just run rough for a minute or two. Try clearing the code from the ECU (pull the #10 fuse, I believe), drive around for a day or two and see if that same code comes back. If it does, inspect the wiring and all that (there's a procedure in the manual for checking the reference voltage and ground at the TW sensor connector), if it's good, replace the sensor (or you can check the resistance of the sensor with an ohmeter.... also says how to do that in the manual)

 

if it is an lxi,most likely your tw sensor is bad,also called a coolant temp sensor

 

If i reset the ECU the same code 6 comes back after about 30 minutes of running. I found in a Civic book the ohms to check the resitor. Im going to attack that next.

You mentioned the main relay. What is that and its function?
Thanks

 

The main relay controls the power to the fuel pump. When they went bad, you could crank and crank but it wouldn't start cuz the pump wasn't running, but after it cooled off it would usually work and start right up. If you turn the key on and don't hear a click and a faint humming [fuel pump], then the relay is usually at fault. Yours sounds like something else though. Check the resistance of the TW sensor and see what you come up with. I think it was 200 something ohms at operating temperature.

 

I also have the same problem with my 87 Accord LXI. I'm getting the same error code 6. Did changing TW sensor worked for you?

 

Yes, I just put a new TW sensor in this weekend. I had to get it from the dealer, because the after market stores don't carry it, or don't know what it is. I had to work with the dealer because they got it wrong at first. They had to dig into an old book.

My TW sensor is on the thermostat housing. When you remove it test it with a voltage meter. Put the postive and negative wire from your meter to each of the terminal ends. Mine had zero resistance so I knew that the wires inside the sensor was broke.

Before removing and installing your sensor disconnect the batter for at least 10 minutes to reset the computer.

 

Thanks for your help everyone. Mission complete. Was a bad TW sensor.