Hello- New user, long-time reader...

I have a 1997 Accord LX 2.2 automatic with 204K (and love it)

A) A short time back, I was out on the highway in cruise at about 70 mph when the cruise control shut off, speedometer went dead, and the check engine light came on.
I figured I could live with that until I had time to research it and/or get it fixed and kept driving the car.

B) Four days later, I get in the car, start it, and the following items did not work - no flickering, not gradual:
clock, tach, temp gauge, intermittent wipers, neutral safety switch, gear indicator lights, rear defrost, windows, and I beleive that is all. The car ran fine.
I did a little searching on the internet and found someone with the same problem. Someone replied to them to replace the #16 fuse (what I found on the net. It is the #1 fuse on the inside labeled 'back up lights' meter lights) The person with the question said they did and it took care of the problem. I replaced that fuse and it blew right away. I checked all of the other fuses, inside and under hood, and they were all good.
I drove over to the local AutoZone and had them put it on their computer. It shows a P0501 code.

C) A day later I got in the car and it would not start. It turns over fine, but will not start (fuel pump?)
Again, I checked all of the fuses and they are all good, except for the one which is still blown. I also checked the grounds and they appear to be in working order.

I'm not a mechanic, but do some of the maintenance myself and understand a bit about automobiles. I just like to have an idea of what the problem is (any problem) and if I could fix them myself or not get a huge bill from a shop for diagnosis.

Any information would be appreciated and thanks!

 

Is that fuse, or any others still blown? Was there any recent work on the car?

 

Just that fuse and it's still blown.
Latest work was in September - heater hoses, rack & pinion boot + alignment, exhaust shield.

 

Well the code is around the VSS, so that would go towards cruise, speedo, odo not working but not a no start.

Spark:
Key on, check for voltage on the BLK/YEL wire into the dist. Next check for spark at the plugs (timing light on the wire, other methods)

Fuel:
Key to on (not start just on). Does the CEL come on for ~3 sec and then go off? While it is on listen for the pump to prime (door closed, radio, blower off-no noise). What do you see/hear?
Next, pull the "rubber hose" off the tb, open butterfly, spray some carb cleaner in there and try to start it?

 

Poorman - thank you for your input.

Last time I tried to start it about a week ago, it would run for about 2-3 seconds and then shut off. Don't know if that means anyhing different.

I will tinker with again this weekend.

 

Maybe....did it seem to die about the time you let go of the key-meaning when you released the key from starting to run?

 

It would run like normal for the 2-3 seconds after I let go of the key and then quit.
I would make a couple of subsequent attempts to start it and it wouldn't run for the 2-3 seconds.
I'll try to verify that.

 

Poorman - and everyone else - Merry Xmas!

So I must confess with an explanation... My honda is not my primary vehicle and it is parked on the city street in Denver. After sitting for a while and numerous attempts to start it, the battery was dead. I pulled the battery and put it on a charger recently. I put it back in today and it turns over again, strongly, but still would not start.
I replaced the same fuse which was blown and made a few more attempts to start without any luck and I did hear what I beleived was the fuel pump in the rear of the car making noise. I also noticed that the fuse would not blow with the attempted starts. I ALSO noticed that the fuel gauge did not come up while the fuse was still good... low on fuel and slanted to the right - it was not getting fuel. So off to the gas station I go with gas can in hand. Sure enough, it now starts and runs fine!

So... the same fuse still blows when the car is running. I checked and pulled out the 'back up lights' bulbs. They did not appear to be bad and I left them out for a start & run, but the fuse still blows. I checked all other fused again today and they are all still good.
And of course the VSS.

 

Hey guys, I'm having the same exact problems with no VSS and dead instrument cluster, no shift lights, etc. (all the problems whereismyhonda had I have as well) but all of my fuses are fine.

Mine still runs fine. Please see my thread at https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...em-help-54957/

Let me know if you have any ideas? I'm truly clueless on this one, and I rely heavily on this car, I need to fix it like yesterday.

 

MK-

It's been a while since I did this.
Did you replace your VSS? The plug that went into my VSS fried and must have isolated the components. As soon as I cut off the plug and replaced the related fuse, everything worked fine again. And still does!