Log in

View Full Version : 94 Honda Accord won't start


Mortis
Jul 12, 2008, 12:29 PM
My wife the other morning stopped to get gas on her way to work. When she tried to restart it it wouldn't start. She called me and I went to the gas station and he car started right up for me. I let her take the car on her hour commute to work, she had no problems getting there. When she was on her way home, she got maybe 3 to 4 miles from her work and the tach gauge and the speedo but dropped to 0 and all her lights on gauge went out, then the car stalled. She called me at work and told me what had happened, so I went home and got some tools and drove an hour to her. Once again I started the car and it performed as it should, so I offered to drive it and have her follow me in the other car. About half way home, about 30 minutes, both gouges did as she said had for her and dropped to 0, and the lights went out, but the car stayed running for me. But I am on the highway, as to where she was on city roads going much slower. Suddenly hey both sprang back where they belonged and I had no further trouble till I pulled onto our country road. I had a neighbor pull onto the road coming the opposite way, so I had to stop, and when I did the speedo needle and the tach both went to 0 and this time the car died, and now will not restart. I did some checking and found some sites that said it was the main relay, so I changed it, and still no start. When you try to start it, it hits as though it wants to, but as soon as you let the switch spring back, it stops. There is no lights come on on the dash board until you go to start. Is this a computer issue or maybe ignition switch?

TxGreaseMonkey
Jul 12, 2008, 05:22 PM
Check the ignition switch:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-2.html#post224652

Look for wear, pitting, and melting. There's a high probability this is the problem.

Even though I believe the problem is a bad ignition switch, I would also change the ignitor and coil to restore "like new" reliability and performance for your wife:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-4.html#post265896

On Hondas, I recommend replacing the main relay, ICM, and coil every 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Stratmando
Jul 12, 2008, 06:17 PM
TX, could it be a another relay with bad contacts?

TxGreaseMonkey
Jul 12, 2008, 06:53 PM
Stratmando, I'm inclined to suspect a bad ignition switch. There's no relay that could cause these problems on a Honda.

Mortis
Jul 14, 2008, 03:39 PM
Thanks -I work for a Bumper to Bumper store and I got one ordered, should be here in a couple days. Appreciate the input guys!

TxGreaseMonkey
Jul 20, 2008, 06:19 AM
Good job.