Hi: I have a 1994 Honda Accord 125k miles that cranks but doesn't start right away. I can feel sucessful ignition for a split second then complete silence. But the second or third time cranking, it fires up right away and drives fine indefinitely. I can drive for an hour with no performance issues, then shut it off....Restart it right way and have the same starting issues. I would think it could be an actual defective part somewhere but then why does it drive fine after it starts? Please advise. Thanks.

 

In all no-start conditions, the first stop is to try to determine if problem is fuel or ignition.

My favorite test is spraying starter fluid or throttle body cleaner into the intake (air intake removed) while turning engine over.

If engine briefly starts and then dies, you know you have ignition spark and fuel delivery is the problem. Fuel delivery has several potential faults; Main Fuel Relay (very likely in your case), intermittent fuel pump (less likely but possible), or inlet fuel filter (much less likely IMO).

If engine never hits a lick, ignition fire is missing; bad ignitor, coil, distributor cap, rotor, wires, or spark plugs. Try to determine which rather than replace all. See DIY section for further guidance or ignitor or coil.

Coil is a prime suspect, but fuel seems more likely from your symptoms.

good luck

 

first thing id do is replace the main fuel relay, dont cost much and if its not giving trouble it wil;l, dealer says they cant keep em in stock, it will also make your transmission do funny things
Frank Allen

 

Thanks for the replies. Do you have the part number of the main fuel relay? Is it only available through the dealership?

 

Ok I found the main fuel relay part on Ebay. I swapped it out and now it starts up like a champ! Thanks a bunch for your help.