hey everyone, my 94 accord vtec just dies while going down the road. its done this 4 times , always starting after sitting anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. the last time I had a can of ether ready and still wouldn't start so im kinda ruling out fuel pump. thought id pick yalls brains first.

 

Well as I was reading I had three things in mind....sounds like you ruled out the main relay by introducing starting fluid.

So the next two on the list. Elect part of the key switch or the ICM. Start with checking for spark when this happens again.....have an old spark plug or plug tester with you....when it happens pull a plug wire and use the tester/spare plug in the wire and then ground the plug......crank it over and look for a nice blue spark?

That will confirm "no spark" but still not answer why, at least now we know we are on the right path. If you have a testlight or volt meter, have that with you as well. When it dies and won't start back up.....turn the key to on/pos II and test for voltage on the BLK/YEL wire at the dist connector...Yes/No, that is the first "decision" point in the testing "tree".

 

ok, its running fine right now.i thought about switch but didn't know icm could cause a shutting off while driving. is an igniter and icm the same thing?

 

Yes, some call it the "igniter" others call it the "ICM" (Ignition Control Module).

What happens with both (switch or ICM) is heat and voltage flowing thru it casues the "contacts and that" to no longer make contact.....fail. Once they cool down the contact comes back and it works again.

I've heard that some places can test the ICM's (call around). If so you can remove it and have them test it....ask them to test it several times as again heat is what "kills" it.

 

if its the switch, will it still turn the engine over but just not start it until it cools down?

 

Yes, that is where the "Key to on/pos II" and test for voltage on the BLK/YEL wire comes into play. There are a a few contacts within the elect part of the key switch that send power to different circuits thru different contact points in the switch.

Edit: If you want I can post some different wire diagrams to try to explain in more detail.....I HATE ELECTRICAL issues, yes I understand the diagrams but I hate chasing them.....my Father and Brother both have PHD's in electrical engineering and I'm the one that cuts the circuit breaker to change a light bulb.........go figure.

 

no need for diagrams. you have been a huge help. thanks.

 

Our pleasure......let us know how it goes.

We do this for free and the quote is our only payment. So "Thank you".