I have a 93 honda accord 10th anniversary and when ever its really hot outside (im in florida) my car has a lot of trouble starting. As far as I can tell it is mostly random when it does it although it is a lot more common in hot weather.

I have had this problem for ~5 years now and it is very sporadic. one week it will start every time I try it then the next it will start every other time then it wont start for two months.

When I turn the electric on I immediately hear what I think is the fuel pump for a second or two. then a couple seconds of nothing and then I can hear the main relay click. If I try to start the car and it dies, and I try and start it again the relay never clicks on. It can take anywhere from 2-3 min to a few hours for it to click on so that I can attempt to get my car started.

Once my car is running it never stalls, but it idles really rough. My check engine light is on but its only for a brake problem. And the D4 light on my car used to always start flashing when I cant get it to start or if i get it started after it dies but lately it hasnt been flashing at all. Oh and every once in a blue moon when I cant get it started when I take the key out of the ignition My car will make a quick beep sound. I have no idea what is causing that.

I have had my car in 5 different shops and none of them could figure out what is wrong with my car. I have had the main relay and coil replaced. (along with a bunch of other things like the water pump that I dont think would affect this.)

 

Just me but I've got a few ideas....are you doing any of this yourself?

There are a few things to test when the situation happens....don't blame the shop.....if the car is working what are they going to find....the car is working?

 

Im not mechanically inclined so unless its very simple I will probably have a shop do it.

I wasnt trying to blame the shop for this, I just wanted people to know that this problem isnt something that a shop would first look at.

 

This is one of those things where testing "when it happens" is needed.

Again, there are a list of things it could be.

Electrical part of the key switch.
ECU.
A few others.

Also, get the code from the CEL - The cel does not come on because of a brake issue, abs light or red brake light will but not the yellow check engine light. To check the code(s) all you need is a paperclip.

 

Sorry, its going to be a couple days. Im shopping for a new car right now so I might be able to trade it in and be done with it. If I end up not getting a new car right now then I will google how to check the ECU.

Oh something I just thought of. The yellow maintenance light has been on for a couple months now to.

 

Well the code might have an answer.....If you want to try to resolve the issue yourself, let us know.

 

Replace relay from behind dash asap to fix intermittent hot weather start.

 

There are no engine codes for brake problems. Checking the code(s) is easy and may take a few minutes.

The common diy thread on top of the gen tech help forum has a link on how to check engine codes. All you need is a piece of wire or a thin paperclip to do the test.

 

I already replaced the main relay. and ill check out that link for the ECU code and get back to you.

 

Ok, I got my car back finally.

The car wouldnt start when i checked the codes. The D4 light wasnt flashing though. (it rarely does that any more.)

The engine codes are -
6, 41

6 ECT - water temperature sensor
41 Primary oxygen sensor heater



TCU codes -
1,2,3,7,8,10,14

1-Lock-up solenoid 'A' circuit open or shorted.
2-Lock-up solenoid 'B' circuit open or shorted.
3-Throttle Position Sensor circuit open or shorted.
7-Shift Solenoid 'A' circuit open or shorted.
8-Shift Solenoid 'B' circuit open or shorted.
10-Coolant Temperature Sensor open or shorted.
14-Linear (line pressure control) solenoid open or shorted.