Accord EX with starting issues

[bossmanjef]

OK I have a 97 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter Engine and I am having some problems. My car is having problems starting up. The engine is turning over but just wont start. Although there are times the car will startup the 1st time I try it or the second time. I did recently put some fuel system cleaner in my car but I am not sure if that could be the issue. I have checked the Dist. Cap, spark plugs and wires and all seems fine. I thought I may have some condensation built up in the Dist . Cap so I dumped a gallon of water on it while the car was on and no miss fires. Now when I do get the car started it runs very well. I took it to the Honda dealership they are telling me fuel pump and fuel filter. I am thinking just the filter. (On a side note) some times while I am in stop and go traffic my cars idle is up high and some times low. I hope this is enough info and someone can give me an idea. thanks Sorry for posting in the wrong area I just noticed.

[jeffcoslacker]

Is there any logic to it at all, like doesn't want to start after being parked for just a few minutes, or after sitting all night, or on rainy days, etc...or just completely random?

How long does it take to finally start, and does it start normally then, or act like it's "clearing out" or anything?

I usually like ignitors and crank/cam position sensors for totally random no-starts..

With a spare spark plug and a can of ether you can narrow down the cause pretty quick...when it won't start, shoot a shot of ether in the snorkel, if it starts right up, or starts and dies again, it's fuel related. If that doesn't do anything, pull a plug wire and put the spare plug in the wire, ground the plug on the motor and crank..check for a nice fat, steady blue/white spark...if no spark or sporadic yellow/orange, you've got an igntion (spark) problem.

When you say the idle speed varies in traffic, are you sure the idle is actually higher or lower, or could the tach reading be off?

I ask because they had some problems with faulty igntiion coils on the V6's that produced incorrect rpm readings an intermittant no-start...could be similar, but I don't remember hearing of this on a four...

[bossmanjef]

Well no logic at all I can see. I know of one example that may help I was having trouble starting my car twice on two separate days and so I lifted up the hood and let the sun hit it for a while. I went back outside after about 20 to 30 min and the car started up fine. Also another thing I remembered it does have a slight hesitation when I hit the gas.

Now with the idle speed thing. I see the RPM jump from 1000 down to 500 and sometimes lower to the point where the car almost stalls out. So I did adjust the idle speed and it seems to not drop down so low anymore to where it almost stalls. But I do see that it can be at .900 RPM’s at one light then I go about 200 yards and at the next light it is .500 RPM’s

[Rpg0]

I've been having the same starting problem with my 93 accord. After sitting all night, when I go out to start it in the morning, First try no go, turn key off second try starts right up. Looks like the check valve not holding pressure in the fuel rail and takes more than the 2 seconds that the pump runs when you first turn on the key to fill it.

One day I went out and tried turning the key onfor 2 secs(not starting it) and off again then back on and tried to start it and it started right up.