My 1992 Honda Accord (best car I've ever had at 322,000 miles) is not starting well these days. I had starting problems about a year ago and changed the main relay which fixed the problem until now. This time I turn the key to the "on" position and I can hear the fuel pump pick up. When I turn the key to "start" the engine starts, the rpm's come up and when I release the key the engine dies. I start the car again and usually it stays running. Sometimes I have to try 3 or 4 times before the car will stay running. It seems to be just a "starting" problem because the car runs fine once I get under way. This problem is different than a year ago when I could tell if it was going to start or not by listening for the fuel pump. If I couldn't hear the fuel pump pick up then I would wait for 5 minutes or so and try starting the car again and it would usually start. Changing the main relay fixed that problem. Could this problem be related to that same relay?

 

could be the electrical part of your ignition switch. I am sure that after 322K miles it might be just a little worn.......

 

good call YEU .. that's what it sounds like to me as well..

instaed of realising the key, hold it just slightly off the start position, but make sure starter is not engaged ,,if car stays running ,,it is definatelly the electr part of ignit switch

 

LISTEN TO DESERTHONDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He knows his stuff. The electrical portion of the ignition switch is EXACTLY what it is. I've got a '93 Accord and had the identical symptoms. Soon 3 or 4 tries will turn into 30 or 40 tries. Anyway, I got that part replaced and that fixed it. "322k - the best car you've ever had." I've got 135,ooo miles and it's one of the WORST cars I've ever had. I think I got one of the bad apples. There are probably like only 6 or 7 of them - I have one. Anyway, that should do it.

 

Thanks to all of you. Sounds like I need to change the ignition switch. Hope I'm fast enough to duck that air bag if it pops out.

 

thats why you disconnect the battery and pull the airbag fuse BEFORE you start working on it.