Questions and Answers

Another Honda Won't Start Q. Hello, I have a little bit of a problem on my hands. I read your article at Honda Main Relays on Main Relays that covers what I think is my problem, however, I have personally replaced all the parts you have listed in the article. My problem still exists. Anyway, heres the story:

I own a 1991 Honda Accord LX with 215000 miles. Here are the specs: -2.2L 4-cylinder engine
-Automatic Transmission
-Fuel Injected
-No ABS
-P/S, A/C, and Cruise
-Rack and pinion steering

The problem with the car started about a year and a half ago when the engine WOULD NOT START, however it WOULD TURN OVER. This especially happened in hot weather. In trying to remedy the problem for the next year and a half, I replaced the following:
-Spark plugs (NGK)
-Spark plug wires
-Distributor cap and rotor
-Ignition Control Module(Ignition)
-Ignition Coil
-Fuel Filter
-Main Relay Assembly
-Head cover Gasket
-Battery

I also tested the alternator, which is running fine. Now the problem seems to have gotten worse, and the engine will die even at idle. Once it dies, it will not start again until it is cooler outside, like at night. I went to this site: http://www.hondainfo.com/troubleshooting.html which told me that the problem could be that the main relay assembly was preventing the engine from getting fuel. I replaced that part and it started fine for a day. The next day, in the heat of the sun, it would not start. When I finally did get it started the engine would occasionally miss while driving and sometimes die.

The thing I do not understand is that once it starts and I drive say on the highway, it runs just fine. Also, before I replaced the main relay assembly, the engine would sometimes die at idle, but it would not miss as I mentioned above.

I took the car to Honda and they said they don't know what the problem is(go figure). I am very frustrated at this problem and do not know where to go from here. So I am asking for your help.

Does anyone else know about this problem? Do you think this is electrical(which I think) or mechanical(such as not getting fuel, etc.)? What other methods do you suggest I do to help diagnose this problem?

Thank you,
Matthew

A. Okay Matt, there was a recall on the distributors on the 1991 Accords issued 12/10/93. The bulletin is number 93-035. I quote from the bulletin:

BACKGROUND
The distributor may fail. If this happens, the engine will not start. This product update is being conducted to help eliminate any possibility of distributor failure.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take the car to a dealership for repair. The text of the customer letter is at the end of this service bulletin.

I think at this point your next stop should be the Honda dealer. I would also bring any and all receipts for work you have had done to correct this problem. There is the possibility of reimbursement from Honda.