I have been having a starting problem with my 1986 Accord lxi (161K miles) that has worsened. It only occurs when the car is totally cold.

When cold, it takes some serious prolonged cranking to get the car going, and once it does, it takes a bit for it to quit sputtering and the idle to level back out...then all is fine. Starting when warm...even barely warm...is normal...one turn of the key...and it is runs great.

I looked at few things, and have made sure there is not any air in the cooling system.

Guessing this might be the fuel pressure regulator 16740-PJ0-662 or the coolant temperature sensor 37870-PD6-003. There is also something called the idle up valve 17235-PH3-003, but I am not sure what this does. None of these parts are available from Honda anymore.

Hoping someone can help me pinpoint the part, and maybe has a suggestion to an aftermarket brand. Otherwise I am going to see what I can find at the auto wrecker.

Thanks!

 

I'm not very familiar with the 86 setup, but I think the LXI is fuel injected.

Start with the simple stuff first. The 80s accords used vacuum to control a lot of items. Inspect all the vacuum hoses to ensure they are not deteriorated and causing a vacuum leak.

 

I wanted to bring this thread back to the top, because I am still having problems. I checked the vacuum lines and replaced a few, but that has not helped.

The GOOD: The car runs normally once it starts up...starting is labored when cold. It will easily restart when warm.

The BAD: It is tough to start cold. Once it catches, it runs rough and sputters...but will smooth out.

I have been thinking one of the orifices or nipples the vacuum lines attach to might be plugged. Know that was a problem with a Volvo 240 I had....with the Volvo, you sprayed throttle body cleaner in the holes to loosen the gunk. Don't know if that is a good or bad idea with the lxi. A dirty throttle body was also a culprit with the Volvo.

Also, I burped the coolant system...that maybe helped a little, but not enough.

Any input will be appreciated!

 

Have you cleaned the throttle body? I would start there. Also does the battery have enough power. You say it's hard to start when cold...

There is definitely air lacking. The way you're describing it makes me thing it's being strangled

 

I was thinking more along the lines of the fuel pump bleeding down overnite. I say that, as I've had that happen to other vehicles before, and once they've been used, they fire right up like his is doing.

 

Could he test that theory by priming it 3x before trying to start

 

Yes. Turn the key to on and listen for the relay to kick off (you'll hear the relay click on (turning the pump on 1st), then repeat a couple of times (cycling the key toff and then back on). Once the fuel system is primed up, it should start almost immediately. My 92 Geo Prizm has a bad cold start valve, and this is how I get it to start when it's below 35 degrees F out. Sometimes I even have to bump the starter if it's colder than that out, to reset the start pump function. This also comes in handy when it's been parked for a month or longer too. I sometimes wonder about putting a check valve in the fuel line to see if it'll stay full of fuel.