I have a 1998 honda accord that don't won't to start all the time.   I have read that other honda owners are having this problem.  I have had a mechanic to look at the car and of course the car starts with him my husband is trying to figure this out.  I think I am going to contact the main Honda headquarters and see if this is a problem that might need a recall.  This is such a pain. Im' afraid to drive my honda. I would like to know have any one found the solution?  Thanks ladyj

Ken89

Check the main relay by doing this...before soldering if you want...
Test the main relay by removing it first...it's under the dash/left side by fuse panel.
You'll need a volt meter for this...Under 20 bucks at most stores or borrow a buddies.
Using a pair of jumper wires, connect the battery positive terminal to the #4 relay terminal, ground the #8 terminal, then check for continuity between the #5 and #7 terminals. If there's no continuity, replace or solder the relay at these terminal locations.
Continued...
Connect the battery positive erminal to the #5 relay terminal, ground the #2 terminal and then verify there's continuity between the #1 and #3 terminals. If there isn't, replace or solder the relay at these terminal locations.
Continued on more time...
Connect the battery positive terminal to the #3 relay terminal and ground the #8 terminal. Verify there's continuity between the #5 and #7 terminals. If there's no continuity, replace or solder the relay at these terminal locations.

Note: if you can't find the battery positive terminal after you unplug the main relay...find a good ground on any part of the car and touch the terminals with the positive side of the meter individually. This will let you know where the positive one is. Here is the pin location looking at the relay with the "tang" in the up position.

8 "tang" 4 2
7 5 3 1

Sounds like a lot but it should only take five minutes or so to check. In the end could save you a lot of money for a fuel pump that works...only when the main relay is working.

Hope this helps

jpkasel

Hi there ! Having the same odd problem. My 1999 Honda Accord Coupe 4cyl engine (CG4) randomly doesn't want to start. Nothing to do with hot or cold weather. Keys are OK. Fuel filter has been changed. Of course, the problem only occurs with me. The engine starts...few moments later, it stalls. I remove the key and put it back again and waiting 5 minutes, the car will start again most of the times. The problem seems to occur when the fuel tank is half empty. I suspected bad fuel in the beginning but since the filter change I'm doubtful. I noticed this problem once or twice happening the last two years but now it's all the time. Very frustrating. Interestingly, once the car is rolling down the road, everything is fine. Even when I need to stop at traffic lights, no issue. The car doesn't like no more to run idle with the cold engine. Even when the engine starts, it can happen that after 2 or 3 minutes it stalls and I have problems to get it running again. Could this be related to an old timing belt ? My Honda dealer is clueless. Unfortunately, this kind of car is a seldom one here in Europe and the dealership doesn't have lots of experience with it.

txgreasemonkey

jpkasel, I would try replacing the Ignition Control Module (igniter) and coil inside the distributor. These are very problematic components on Hondas--especially the igniter.

jpkasel

Hi ! I think that replacing the Ignition Control Module makes sense. For the coil, I don't think so because it looks quit good inside. I even had the contacts cleaned. The problem with this issue is that the fuel filter was indeed pretty dirty (got replaced), I had a little animal bite a cable under the hood (got fixed) and finally my springs got hit violently when I drove too fast up a slope (maybe that made damage to the ignition control module). Well, all these things at the same time makes it difficult to trace the source of the problem. BUT many thanks for the suggestion, I'll have my mechanic check into it. Jean-Paul

txgreasemonkey

Jean-Paul, here's how to replace the Ignition Control Module yourself:

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-tr...tml#post265896

Electron migration, accelerated by heat, normally causes these components to fail. I recommend replacement every 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.

jpkasel

Just to make a follow-up...The problem appears to be solved by having changed the main relay behind the dashboard and also doing a Honda recommended replacement concerning a "multiplexer control unit". Don't know whether that is the ignition control module but fact is that the car now feels like having 20 horsepower more. Acceleration is pretty good now and the engine no more stalls.

caldogg

GO TO INTERNETAUTO.COM AND IT CAN TELL YOU ALL RECALLS FOR YOUR CAR

eclipsefat

dave98accord

As do I. I did check my fuses and they are or seem to be fine. The igintion recall at the bottom of the page is a help but I really would like to sort out this windows/lock problem as well.

any help would be great!

themzcman

Hi Folks...
I fought with this problem myself... took me a year to figure out... but I had the exact problem that you did; here is how you fix it.
The Main Relay on the Honda Accord is called a "Fuel Injector Relay." If you go to your local part store it should run about 58 bucks. Purchase the part first... it will help you to know what you are looking for. (A gray little box with a plug at the end.)
This is how you fix it.
1. Get in the drivers seat.
2. Keep door open and look on the left side of the dashboard. You will notice a removable panel labeled fuses. NOTE: You can only see it with the door open.
3. Remove the panel by pulling out.
4. Two (2) screws hold a bottom panel under the steering wheel. Remove the screws (Black and Brass) and remove the panel by pulling outward and down.
5. Look through the cluster of wires and you will see the FIR (Fuel Injector Relay)
6. Use a 10 mm rachet to remove the bracket holding a plastic pin and the FIR.
7. Use a small flat head screw driver to remove the FIR
8. Unplug the old... plug in the new.
9. Reverse these steps to reassemble your panel under your dash.

A honda dealership tryed to get 3000 bucks out of me to find and fix this problem. After much research I found the answer for under 60 bucks.

Good luck... this should fix your issues!
Be well.
Let me know if this works for you! The best advice is cheap if not free!
MySpace.com - Tim ONeil - Detroit, Michigan - Ambient / Classical / Acoustic - www.myspace.com/composertimoneil

Sincerely,
Tim O'Neil