1988 Accord Lxi. Approx 215K on the old girl and she runs GREAT except for a pesky starting problem that rears its ugly head from time to time, and has done so now. Sometimes it refuses to start. Cranks over fine, but won’t run. It is getting spark, but no fuel. My friend the Honda guru says on this year Accord, there is a relay of sorts under the dash somewhere. This relay controls the fuel pump electrical supply. Its purpose, says he, is to prevent power from getting to the electric fuel pump in the event of a roll over accident if the car were to come to a stop inverted. He says this little relay is a small circuit board that develops hairline cracks due to vibration. The cracks intermittently cause the fuel pump to be shut off, and, hence, the hard starting issues. He also says this is most likely the fuel starvation issue and not the pump, as, if the pump quits, it done for good and won't start working again. Because my car has had this problem from time to time yet always seems to fire up again at some point, he may be correct. If it is this little tip over relay that's causing the problem, what is it called and where can I get a replacement? If you’ve any thoughts, or other areas I should look, those comments are very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

90-93 had the main relay problem more so than any others.
You should be able to hear the fuel pump run the first few seconds the key is turned on.
Maybe have someone listen thru the fill port

There is an access hatch behind the rear seat /driver side, so you can go to the fuel pump connection and test for power to the fuel pump.
The Yellow wire at the pump connector is the power from the relay.

 

I listened through the trunk, right above the access panel that gives access to the fuel pump. No sound of the fuel pump operating. I'll try listening through the filler neckMonday. Thanks for the reply.

 

My 1988 Honda usually starts up after the engine cools off. Once it get hot it rotates and will not start. I put a new fuel pump and filter, spark plug wires distributor cap and rotor button in it. I need to know some feedback on what might keep the car from starting on its on.

 

First, welcome to HAF.

Testing is needed but it sounds like the coil or ICM is getting hot and giving out......cools off then it works again. When the car dies, can you test for spark?

Also, just for grins, is your 88 carb or fuel injected?