2009 accord ex 2.4 4dr 170k miles - Car died on the highway..... Starts up, purrs perfectly for 2-3 seconds, then stumbles and stops. Sounds like a fuel starvation thing. Checked fuel pump fuse and swapped fuel pump relay, but still the same. Any suggestions? Any history with fuel pump going bad....? Inertia switch??? ECM maybe ? Thanks for your feedback

 

Lack of fuel, spark, air, timing, or compression can be the root cause. The trick is to start eliminating items and where to start troubleshooting. I typically start with the easiest, then work towards the more complicated tests.

Have you had any recent work done on the car recently or any other issues? Any chance you just recently refilled your gas tank?

Since the engine runs for a few seconds and doesn't sound terrible, the compression/timing is probably ok and can be lower priorities to check.

For fuel, the easiest test is to check the fuel gauge. I'd probably add a gallon or two of fresh gas in case your fuel gauge isn't reading properly. The next test is to turn the key to the II position and do not try to start the car. Listen for the fuel pump to turn on for about two seconds while the check engine light does the bulb check. Turn off the radio and air because the fuel pump makes a faint buzzing/whirling sound from the back seat, so you have to listen carefully. Let us know what you find.

Scanning for engine codes may also help give you some direction.

 

PROBLEM FIXED.... A bad/dirty MAF sensor was not throwing a code, but prevented the car from running. Unplugged sensor & car ran good enough to get it home...replaced sensor and all is fine, for now anyway