Hey there I just bought a 1988 Honda Accord LXi recently from a friend. It's got 180,000 miles on it and it's a 2.0 ltr engine and automatic. My friend told me that it's been running fine for the past year and I drove it for 3 days before it wouldn't start. When I turn the key the engine cranks and makes the sound like it's trying to start. I did some researching and I thought that I had figured out what was causing the issue. Both times when it wasn't starting it was either raining or had been raining and when dry it would start. This led me to believe that it could be something with the distributor cap. When I went to go home today, I got in and had the same issue even though it's been dry all day long. The battery has a small amount of corrosion, but nothing too severe. I've also tried jumping it, but to no avail. At this point I'm completely stumped as to what it could be. My friend told me that the fuel pump is new although when I turned the car on there was no sound from the fuel pump clicking on. The only light that I've seen is the battery light comes sometimes flashes when driving. I've noticed that it flashes when I step on the brakes or roll the windows down. I've also noticed that one of the battery cables seems a bit worn. It's got some peeling electrical tape around it and I tried taking the little red cap off to look at the corrosion level and the whole wire just slipped off the terminal like it wasn't tightened properly. Any help or suggestions would be amazing! Thanks!

 

Make sure all your electrical connections are clean and tight. Also check the ground for the starter. If memory serves me right, (it's been years), that vintage Accords had a knack for the cables at the starter motor coming loose which I believe also grounded the fuel pump and other ignition components.