88 Accord Wont Start Cold
Serpiko
12-30-2003, 11:17 PM
Thanks for taking the time to read about my problem. And thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
This has been a long standing problem, since the cold weather here in Indiana set in. My '88 Honda Accord won't start when the temperature is below 50ºF or so. Ill turn it over and it will crank and most of the times start, then die right back again about about 2-3 seconds. From that point, I have to use starter fluid. Oddly enough, when I use the starter fluid, I have to hold the key down for about 2-3 seconds to let it crank, which it does rather harshly, it will slowly gain rpms while it cranks, and then it will start when it gets to about 1,500 or so. After a few pumps of the foot feed, it works fine. In weather above 50ºF, it starts and runs like a new car. Ive done many a' thing to try and correct this problem... I have replaced the plugs with NGK's, plug wires, rotor button, distributor cap (yes, I am getting a strong spark), primary fuel filter, secondary fuel filter, I have cleaned the carb with Chemtool, as well as all the linkages in relation to throttle and choke (with the Chemtool), replaced and inspected vacuum lines (one was broken, #7, which is indirectly tied to the distributor, thought this was the problem, and it wasn't...but at least I changed the line :\), and I gave it a car wash from Mikes. Thought that would cheer it up, but it found no mercy in its cold, black, metalish, heart..thing...whatever.
I can smell gas when I try to start it, I know its getting the right amount of gas, the float was level when I checked it. Im hopeing this is just a main relay, but at this point, I just dont know anymore. Its a great little car, only 135k on it, super clean interior, descent paint job, and a motor you can almost eat off of. But if it wont start when I ask it to, it will start to lose its value in my eyes, you know?
If anyone has any information they can give me, it would be more than appreaciated, thank you again for taking the time to read this.
--Chad
This has been a long standing problem, since the cold weather here in Indiana set in. My '88 Honda Accord won't start when the temperature is below 50ºF or so. Ill turn it over and it will crank and most of the times start, then die right back again about about 2-3 seconds. From that point, I have to use starter fluid. Oddly enough, when I use the starter fluid, I have to hold the key down for about 2-3 seconds to let it crank, which it does rather harshly, it will slowly gain rpms while it cranks, and then it will start when it gets to about 1,500 or so. After a few pumps of the foot feed, it works fine. In weather above 50ºF, it starts and runs like a new car. Ive done many a' thing to try and correct this problem... I have replaced the plugs with NGK's, plug wires, rotor button, distributor cap (yes, I am getting a strong spark), primary fuel filter, secondary fuel filter, I have cleaned the carb with Chemtool, as well as all the linkages in relation to throttle and choke (with the Chemtool), replaced and inspected vacuum lines (one was broken, #7, which is indirectly tied to the distributor, thought this was the problem, and it wasn't...but at least I changed the line :\), and I gave it a car wash from Mikes. Thought that would cheer it up, but it found no mercy in its cold, black, metalish, heart..thing...whatever.
I can smell gas when I try to start it, I know its getting the right amount of gas, the float was level when I checked it. Im hopeing this is just a main relay, but at this point, I just dont know anymore. Its a great little car, only 135k on it, super clean interior, descent paint job, and a motor you can almost eat off of. But if it wont start when I ask it to, it will start to lose its value in my eyes, you know?
If anyone has any information they can give me, it would be more than appreaciated, thank you again for taking the time to read this.
--Chad
BullShifter
12-31-2003, 02:55 AM
Have you checked for fuel pressure?
Can your hear the fuel pump turn on for 5 seconds when ignition turned on(no start)?
Sounds like the main relay, try warming it with a blow dryer & see what happens.
Can your hear the fuel pump turn on for 5 seconds when ignition turned on(no start)?
Sounds like the main relay, try warming it with a blow dryer & see what happens.
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