Ok I can't fogure this one out. I've searched the forums but I don't see a similar question.

I have a 2000 Accord with 235k miles as my daily driver. The engine runs smoothly, accelerates like she's supposed to, starts fine and basically no problems except....

The problem:
She will cut off while driving but immediately restart. It happens often but not all the time if that makes sense. I don't know when it will happen or what causes it but once it starts during a trip it's pretty consistent until I turn off the car at which point everything dies. I've also noticed, at least I think, that it doesn't happen as often on colder days. I'm in VA so that's anything under 35 degrees.

The symptoms:
1. In stop/go or slow traffic, pretty much anything under ~50mph when I release the accelerator it cuts off but restarts immediately.
2. If I'm completely stopped it stays on...idle is smooth
3. However once I get to my destination and cut off the car, all power dies. Sometimes the power will come back on within ~20 secs (I know because my alarm goes off). Other times all I have to do is touch the power cable connected to the battery and the power is restored immediately.

Diagnosis:
I was leaning toward a short but I can't explain how the car will stay on at higher speeds or will stay on until I turn the car off.

I can't afford to start randomly replacing parts so I'm looking for some insight from you guys to narrow down the issue. Thanks

 

Can you make it happen by wiggling the key? Flaky ignition switch is not very rare.

If you CAN make it happen, then you have a flaky ignition switch.

If you cannot make it happen that way, it doesn't really prove the switch is OK.

 

I haven't tried that. I'll try it when I get home.