2000 Honda Accord Coupe. Fully maintained, 199,500 miles. Started having issue about 1.5 years ago would start, then die and would not restart until setting. Then would start fine and run fine. Happened five times in a 1.5 year timeframe. Then happened twice in one week. Took to dealer shop. They cleaned the EGR valve. A week later, had the same issue. Took it back. They ran diagnostics and could not find an issue. That was 3 months ago. All has been fine. While driving last week (about 40 mph) the car slowed and I realized I had no acceleration. Was able to turn off on side street but as soon as I slowed enough to turn, car stalled. Dash lights came on. Wouldn’t restart immediately. Started after setting about 5 minutes. Started and ran fine. When I got home, I turned off and tried to restart. Ran rough, died. Third time stayed running but ran rough than died. Next morning started and ran fine all the way to the shop. They ran her through diagnostics. All fine. Drove her yesterday, no issues. Today started fine. Idled in garage. Idol a little fast and smelled a lot of exhaust. Then she stuttered and died. Wouldn’t start. Waited 5 minutes, started and seems to be running idling fine. Any ideas? I really love my car and would prefer to fix if the cost is reasonable. But I commute so I need a reliable car. Thanks.

 

Possible problem with ignition switch. See if your symptoms are similar.

techauto.awardspace.com/ignitionswitch.html

 

If Check Engine Light (CEL) is on, get these codes (Check DIY forum for OBD1 procedure) and post them.

First step w/ no-start is to understand whether fuel or ignition is source of the problem, no matter what you might think is the problem.

These checks must be done when No-start condition exists. It will do no good to check when car is starting.

1) Turn keyswitch to On. Does the CEL, Alt, and Oil light come on immediately. CEL should go off after 2-3 secs.

2) When keyswitch is turned Off to On, you should also hear a soft click from under the dash and fuel pump in fuel tank come on and run for 2-3 secs. Fuel pump will stop and CEL will go off at same time.

If above 2) checks show all lights are coming on correctly, and you hear the fuel pump run/cut-off, then fuel delivery is likely and ignition fault is likely.

If you're missing the Alt, Oil, and CEL coming on, then ignition switch assembly is likely faulty. Easy diy replacement. See DIY forum.

If ignition is indicated, suggest going to techautorepairs.com/ignition.html for guidance on diagnosing where igntion is failing.

good luck

 

Thank you TexasHonda. Tried what you said. All lights come on correctly. I canCar started this morning. Ran fine in garage. Shut it down. Then it wouldn't start. When I turn the key off, I hear a hiss under the hood. Let it sit a few minutes. Then it started. Did this several times until it started and then sputtered and died. When it dies, all dash lights come on except the CEL and Maint light. Again, if I let the car sit a few minutes, it starts again. I can replicate the problem so I can't figure out why the shop can't. The shop thinks it might be the fuel regulator and computer. Repair $1100. But this is a guess so I am not sure if it makes sense to put that much into a guess. Very frustrating. Thank you for your advice.

 

You say you performed the checks and when it dies "all lights come on except the CEL & Maint Req'd lights. Earlier you said all lights come on per the check. Which is it?

If CEL does not come on when engine dies, this suggests an ignition switch problem.

Note, the checks only provide information when no-start condition is present. When car is starting, no informaiton is available.

good luck

 

Is the 2000 Accord part of the ignition switch recall? I have a 1998 which exhibited a stalling problem as well. I received a recall notice before the problem occured. Once it started stalling, I took it to the dealer for the recall & since then have been fine. Hope this helps.