occassional starting issue
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
occassional starting issue
Hello, I have a 1993 Honda Accord EX Automatic 2.2Liter engine. My car cold or hot will sometimes start than immediately die. then it acts like its flooded due to it wont start for about 2-4 minutes. I can crank it all I want, just wont start. After I wait, it will finally start. Its not consistant though and I never know when it will do this. My husband states its fuel injected so it shouldnt be flooded so he just doesnt know where to look next. Help
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,328
From: Houston, TX
The problem could be from a number of sources. For starters, you need to figure out if the problem is due to lack of spark or lack of fuel.
The easiest way to test for spark is to use a timing light when it is not starting. If the timing light flashes when it won't start, then spark is ok. If not, then you will have to troubleshoot further. If you don't have a timing light there are other ways to look for spark that are in the tegger.com fax section.
Fuel is more involved to verify. The first thing you should do is turn the key to the II position and not try to start the car. In the middle of the clicks, you should hear the fuel pump turn on for ~2 seconds. It is a faint buzzing/whirling sound that comes from the back seat, so listen carefully. If that sound is not present when it is not starting, then there are some other tests we can suggest.
Also, I would check for any error codes stored on the ECU. All you need is a thin paperclip or a piece of wire to short a blue two-pin service connector.
See this site for instructions: techautorepairs.com/dtc.html
The easiest way to test for spark is to use a timing light when it is not starting. If the timing light flashes when it won't start, then spark is ok. If not, then you will have to troubleshoot further. If you don't have a timing light there are other ways to look for spark that are in the tegger.com fax section.
Fuel is more involved to verify. The first thing you should do is turn the key to the II position and not try to start the car. In the middle of the clicks, you should hear the fuel pump turn on for ~2 seconds. It is a faint buzzing/whirling sound that comes from the back seat, so listen carefully. If that sound is not present when it is not starting, then there are some other tests we can suggest.
Also, I would check for any error codes stored on the ECU. All you need is a thin paperclip or a piece of wire to short a blue two-pin service connector.
See this site for instructions: techautorepairs.com/dtc.html
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,170
From: Fayetteville, AR
Hmmmmm, this is summer time, and the main relay might be rearing up it's ugly head.
Does this problem happen after the car has been sitting in the sun closed up?
Thats a usual symptom.
Yet the car starts first thing in the morning with a cooler outside temp?
It is indeed possible to have a flooded condition in a fuel injected engine;
Always turn on the key and wait for the CEL to turn off then crank the engine;
This allows full fuel pressure and a better spray pattern from the injector nozzle.
So, just how old are the spark plugs in this creampuff ?
Does this problem happen after the car has been sitting in the sun closed up?
Thats a usual symptom.
Yet the car starts first thing in the morning with a cooler outside temp?
It is indeed possible to have a flooded condition in a fuel injected engine;
Always turn on the key and wait for the CEL to turn off then crank the engine;
This allows full fuel pressure and a better spray pattern from the injector nozzle.
So, just how old are the spark plugs in this creampuff ?
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