1991 Honda Accord EXR Intermittent Starts

[peteyb]

1991 Honda Accord EXR Intermittent starts

Here is my challenge to the entire world of the internet. I recently bought a 1991 Honda Accord EXR. In the first week, I had to jump it 6 times. Then, for 4 weeks, it started every time perfectly. Now, it has gone back to the non-starting stage (starts 7 of 10 times). I have reviewed the previous owner’s records (something I should have done more carefully before buying!), and she had the battery changed 5oo km before I bought the car-not a good sign! She has also had the distributor changed 3 times (the clouds get darker)! My question is, does anyone know why my car won’t start.

So far, my research has lead me to possibilities of either the distributor, thermal coupler or cooling fan. I have noticed that the cooling fan often comes on and stays on for a long time after car is turned off. Could it be this is sucking the power and killing the car. When I try to start the car, there is no hint of turnover, but if I jump it, it starts every time (can this rule out a fuel pump relay problem?). Car will usually start if it has been driven a few hours earlier. The problem occurs in wet/dry cool/hot conditions.
If anyone has any idea how I can fix my problem or who has had similar problems, please, please (did I mention please?) let me know! I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance, Pete

[HONDA_99]

sounds like there is a loose electrical connection.

check all connector on battery, alternator and starter, i'd pay more attention to alternator.

and don't worry about cooling fan stay on for awhile after engine was turn off, that is normal.

[peteyb]

Thanks for the response about my Honda. I should have mentioned it more clearly though, that the cooling fan comes on much, much later after the car has been turned off. For example, I have happened to walk by my car as late as 8 hours after it has been shut off and the cooling fan is going! Is this still normal, or is this out of the normal realm?

[JasonAccord98LX]

I'd say that the cooling fan coming on 8 hours after you shut the car off is quite abnormal. You are putting the keys in the off position and not leaving them on "on" right?

[HONDA_99]

Originally posted by peteyb
I have happened to walk by my car as late as 8 hours after it has been shut off and the cooling fan is going! Is this still normal, or is this out of the normal realm?

That is not normal.

i used to have 89 Accord and i had over heating problem with it. when engine was running cooling fan would not come on dispite temperature to be in red zone, but as soon i shut engine off it would come on and stay on until i disconnect battery. after a little while i figured out, i had a bad temperature switch (located in lower corner of radiator on passanger side). here is how i figure out; i pulled connector off and cooling fan wouldn't run, but as soon as i put it back it starts again.

as far of dead battery problem, you should check all connection, there is loose wire some where.

BTW, 4gen Accords are know for having problems with distrubitor, so its not surprise that previous owner replace it three times.

[peteyb]

Hey JasonAccord 98LX and Honda_99, thanks for the responses (I am gaining faith in the internet-I'm a new user!).

Yeah, I didn't think the fan coming on 8 hours later was normal! It is nice to be unique, but not when it comes to a sick car....

I am still wondering a few things though. My car ISN'T overheating when I drive (never even comes close to the red zone). And you have to forgive me, but my car knowledge is limited-when you say you would pull connector off and fan would stop, are you referring to where the connecter attaches to the temperature gauge? (And if you could give me a more detailed idea of what temp gauge looks like, that would be handy-see, I know very little about cars!).

Do you think the fan coming/staying on is enough to suck my battery dry (it could explain why car always starts if left sitting for say less than 6 hours-maybe fan can't kill the battery that quick?),. However, the last three jump starts the Honda has taken a few tries to jump (I am using a portable/stand alone charger)-before it would jump instantly-is my problem worsening

And I double checked previous owners records. She had distributor replaced once (1 year ago at $350), and distributor CAP replaced 3 times ($35/time). Another silly question, but is there wires connected to the cap that could be causing the problem, or is the cap just a piece of plastic with no wires (again, a description of the distributor by anyone would be handy).

You mentioned my year of Honda has had distributor prolbems. Is there any easy way to know if my dead car is due to distributor (for instance would it still jump start no problem?).

Finally, my door audible signal comes and goes as well as my dome light (heard/saw them) for the first time last week.

I know this is a lot of questions, although it is just kinda like a real EXPENSIVE puzzle!! Hope people like puzzles

Thanks for all the help,

Pete