90 accord startup problems! please help!

[vtownx]

Ok so recently I was coming back from a trip and i stopped to get something to eat, when i came back out to my car, i tried to start it, but it wouldnt start. It would turn over, but it would not start. I got out of the car, checked the spark plug wires adn the distributor cap, and everything seemed fine, and then with a little time, it started up and i went home.

later however when i went back out to my car to try to start it again, same thing, it would turn over, but wouldnt start for a long time. i did find however, that after running it for about 10 min or so, if i shut it off, it would start right back up again, but if i let it sit for about 20, it wouldnt start right away.

I checked the ecu, and it gave me a code 15, which is "ignition output signal". About a week and a half ago, i gave the car a tuneup (oil, spark plugs, cap, rotor, and coolant) and also changed the oxygen sensor. My first guess was that the ignition was the problem cuz once i get the car started it runs as strong as it ever does.

Does anyone have any ideas or similar situations? The wires it has on there are NGK wires which have been on the car for about maybe 6000 miles. Im not sure where to start since everything but the wires are new, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Im going to go buy a set of wires, see if that does the trick, but if it doesnt, im kinda sunk. any suggestions are appreciated.

[Deadhead]

well, i would fix the code 15 and then see if you still have the problem, I don't think it's your spark pluggs.

[mpumas]

I would guess the coil first, then the igniter both located insidre the distibutor. Both could give the code you saw.

[vtownx]

ok ill give both a try tomorrow

[bjd088]

I have a '92 accord that had the same problem. Most places I looked pointed me toward the feul pump relay under the dash. I changed the feul pump out (was not fun) but the car has started ever since.

[vtownx]

yes i went to the auto parts store and they said that it sounds like something to do with the fuel. I had put fuel injector cleaner in it a couple of weeks ago, and it started to do that since the last tuneup 2 weeks ago, and a friend of mine suggested that their could be some kind of blockage from whatever it cleaned out. I got a new injector cleaner, put it in and filled the tank, so ill see where it goes from there.

[vtownx]

ok so im not thinkin now that its some kind of blockage because its about a 1/4 of the tank thru now with that injector cleaner now, and it still from time to time wont start up, and now a problem im having is that sometimes when i start it up it dies right away, any thoughts on that would be helpful.

[bjd088]

does the car lag when you hit the gas?

[Accord_Zero]

I'm having a similar problem with mine. When I turn the key, it starts, but when I let go and let the key go to the 2nd position, it stops. Mine starts, but it's tricky...I have to kind of put it between the 1st and 2nd position first, so the lights come on, and then I give it a start, while trying to get it back to that weird position right away. It sucks!

I've been reading about this, and it might be the ignition switch. I need to save up a little money before I can have it changed though. But so far that's what's recommended.

[vtownx]

ok so heres the latest, i did a lot of reading online, and i came to the conclusion that it was my fuel pump relay that was doin the damage, so i went and got another one, but this is the thing, last night when i went to go start my car, its a new problem now, now it starts and as soon as i let the key go from the start position, it dies, even if i give it gas while its starting up, it just dies, so im not sure yet if my replacement relay is working cuz now i have a new problem, any insight would help.

[Deadhead]

could possibly be your ignitian switch. But since you just replaced your fuel pump relay, try the old one again to find out if this is it.

[vtownx]

the latest- my dad took one of the fuel lines off its place and turned the key over to see if any gas came out, and it did, and then he replaced the line to where it goes, and then tried starting it up, and it started, so i dunno. i then gave it a "hard" run, meaning i drove it really fast for a long time, and then came home, parked it. waited about 15 min, came out, and it started back up. ths was yesterday, i went to portland in a diff vehicile, but this morning, i went to start it up, and started and died on the first and second try, but on the third it stayed running, then 5 min ago i tried starting it again, and started on first try. Im not sure what to think now, im not completely trusting of it, but it is starting. any thoughts? main relay has been replaced, im 90% sure its not the fuel pump, and if i had to guess, id say its the fuel pressure regulator.

[Accord_Zero]

Well, it's been mentioned a few times now, try replacing the ignition switch. My 93 is having the exact same problem as yours, and I'm curious if that will fix it! Everything I've read says it's either the main relay or the switch. It's probably not fuel related.

[vtownx]

ok so today i replaced the ignition coil, since the spring was kinda bent and then fell out at some point, so i thought that it was the problem, i replaced it, and it didnt help. i read an article about how early 90's honda accords have problems with ignitors, so i think i will try that next. any insight will help. Im thinkin bout doin the ignition switch, but thats kinda spendy, and im not seein the connection.

[Accord_Zero]

Replace the switch!! I just did today, and it starts perfect, and runs fine (for now). It is costly, 'cause of labor...but it's worth it. Also, the only part they replaced was the electrical part of it, so it was cheaper. The mechanical part (with the key) was in good shape, so they left it alone.

Replace the switch!