94 accord lx starts then stalls

[crefasi]

Was going to lunch and when I reached the stop sign down the road the engine stopped. The engine will start every time then immediately stall. Since I have an extra fuel main relay I switched it with no success.I checked the codes and there were quite a few including Code 15 engine input. Reset the codes and continued testing. Most of the codes went away except for 15. Changed the ICM as suggested in the manual. Also changed the distributor cap, rotor, and wires since I was in there anyway. Still received code 15 and it is doing the same thing. I had a coil just in case and it did not fix the problem either.

I went to change the fuel regulator but could not plug it so it would stop leaking so I reconnected it. Just for kicks I started the engine and it ran fine for 30 minutes or so. Went for a test drive and everything. No more codes listed. Went to work the next day and then tried to start it during the day and back to the same thing. Starts then immediately stalls.

Items noticed/tested:

- it starts every time but then it dies. If I try cranking again without turning the key off it just cranks like it is not receiving spark or fuel - does not try to start at all. The engine turns without trying to start. If I turn the key all the way off, it starts then stalls every time. I read some posts for ignition problems with the keylock/electric portion but they were able to jiggle the lock and keep it running. I cannot do this. Is there a way to bypass and make it stay on?

- I remember reading some posts for checking the grounding of the system. I have not done this yet but will do so today.

- when the key is turned on, the fuel pump is humming for 2 seconds then turns off correctly. The other day while testing, I think it was not humming correctly but it is now. Could the fuel pump be dying?

- this appears to be electrical in nature. If the fuel pump is dying shouldn't it run rough for a second or two before it actually dies since it is already running? Are there any tests that can bypass some of the safety measures just for testing? Can I bypass the key switch before changing it? Can I make sure the fuel pump is always on just to make sure?

- sometimes once it is started, it runs great as usual. Then all of a sudden it dies and continues the start and stall routine.

- could it be the ECU? I thought there was a fail safe mode that allowed it to at least run.

- could some of the sensors be causing this condition without sending error codes?

This has been a great car overall. I am planning on giving to my teenage daughter but not in this condition. What else can I do to fix this so I can gain my reliability back on this vehicle.

Thanks in advance.


Nick

[5thGenAccord]

i say take it to your closest honda dealer. i almost had the same problem with my 97 accord lx. would run and all of the sudden it will shut off completely. it would start up again but then it sometimes would not. thought it was time for a tune up but that still did not fix it. i then took it to honda to see what it may be. they told me to clean the throttle body. still didnt not work except response felt a whole better. but anyway i took it back to them and one of the guys said it was my starter. turns out, honda had made a recall on the starter for some of the accords. not sure which generations though. well anyway, taking a trip to the honda dealer may benefit you nonetheless.

[AtownAccord]

To Crefasi,

did you diagnose your problem on your '94. I have a '93 SE that also dies when slowing at stop sign. So far my mechanice cannot find anything wrong. I have found a couple people on these honda boards with similar symptoms but I cannot find an exact cause. Any help greatly appreciated.

[crefasi]

Originally Posted by AtownAccord

To Crefasi,

did you diagnose your problem on your '94. I have a '93 SE that also dies when slowing at stop sign. So far my mechanice cannot find anything wrong. I have found a couple people on these honda boards with similar symptoms but I cannot find an exact cause. Any help greatly appreciated.

I had a couple of thing shappen at different times which was very frustrating. The final culprit was the computer. There is a repair place in Florida that rebuilds them for 150.00 or so, better than the 700.00 the dealer wants. My car was alos having an issue prior to this with hard starting. It turned out to be the distributor housing.

good luck..

[Hazen]

I have also had a problem with my 91 accord dying when slowing down. I have found when I get 150 miles on a tank of gas is when it starts to die. When I put gas in the tank, its fine until I get to 150 miles again.

[crefasi]

Originally Posted by Hazen

I have also had a problem with my 91 accord dying when slowing down. I have found when I get 150 miles on a tank of gas is when it starts to die. When I put gas in the tank, its fine until I get to 150 miles again.

My daughter is driving my Honda and she says she can see a difference in performance and idling when the tank gets less than 1/4? I have not spent much time on diagnosis because it was easy to just keep it closer to the half or full mark. I am concerned that it may lead to something else or leave her stranded but she cannot go long distance, she has a cell phone, and emergency towing so i did not pursue it. Let me know if you find the problem though.

Thanks

[jmrev]

dealerships are expensive!