Hi,

I have a Honda Accord LXI 1989. The other day I was driving and it just cut off. No sign it was going to at all. waited about 5 minutes than it started. Now it won't stay running. It starts and fires but idles off instantly unless I keep the key turned but as soon as I let go of the key it idles off. Changed the distributor cap and rotor. No luck.

Any ideas about what could be wrong??

 

Thanks for joining HAF.

Sounds like the elect part of the key switch might be bad......have a volt meter or test light to check a few things?

 

Yes I do have a a volt meter. Thanks for replying.

 

Good to have you with us here in the forums..

 

Again, this is sounding like a bad ign switch - just the electrical part.

Check for continuity using the attached.....key on - position II, I'll guess the BLK/YEL will not have continuity.....but test it.

 

Hey! Think it is ignition switch. Took it out and it looks burnt. ordered new part. Hoping it will be up and running soon. Thanks for the help.

 

Keep us posted .

On the 3rd gens (86-89) parts are getting harder to find. I hope you were able to get just the elect part of the switch?

If you "need the car" before the part arrives...send me a message and I will walk you thru hot to "hot wire" the car to at least get it going....if you can't figure it out by the diagram I posted

Looks like Ang moved you into General Tech. Yes I Did

 

ok. Ignition Switch changed. Started like a champ. drove all day just fine. Then at end of day. went to turn it on and it started up just fine. But would idle off. rev gas and would idle off. After 4th time started and ran just fine. ahhh...this is driving me mad. So changed distributor and rotor and now ignition switch. All fuses fine. Any ideas what else it could be?

 

Check for any codes.....LXi has the OBD-0 set up..the ecu is under the drivers seat and has an led light that "blinks" any codes.

Get into a habit of turning the key to "on"/pos II and watching the CEL light. It should come on for a few seconds and then go off.....at the same time you can hear the fuel pump prime if you have all "noise turned off" inside the car (blower motor, radio, door shut so the beeper isn't there, ect).

Did the old switch "test bad"?