'98 Honda Accord EX
145,000 miles
4 Cylinder 2.3

Symptoms
While driving, car stalls, dashboard goes dark, and car shuts off. Wait 5 minutes and car starts up and runs fine. (May not be related, but car has been downshifting pretty hard lately, espicially when engine is cold.)

Troubleshooting
Took it to dealership and they indicated that they didn't know what the problem was, but there was no voltage between the ICM and coil. They gave me a list of parts they could start replacing. Took the list to Auto Zone and replaced them myself. Same symptoms.

Items Replaced
Plugs
Wires
Distributor Cap
Rotor
Ignition Control Module
Ignition Coil

Questions
How do I check the voltage between the coil and the ICM?
Is this going to be the Main Relay issue that I keep seeing people on here complain about?
I'm going to call Honda (1-800-999-1009) on Monday to ask about the Ignition Switch recall, but is it just the switch itself or the switch and the cable?


Thanks for any assistance!

Cmon, where are you, TXGreaseMonkey? :D

Up on a ladder painting my house.

. Perform Power to Distributor Test. Turn ignition OFF. Disconnect the 2-P connector from the distributor. Turn the ignition switch ON. Measure voltage between BLK/YEL (+) terminal and body ground. There should be 12+ volts read. If not, repair open in BLK/YEL wire between the 2-P connector and ignition switch.

. Check the ignition switch for wear, pitting, or melting:

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

Thanks for the reply! I'll check the voltage this morning and let you know what I get.


Thanks again and good luck with the paint!

Also, check all under dash and under hood fuses with a test light or multimeter:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-3.html#post252145

I got 12 volts on the ICM. Going to check the fuses now.

Main Fuel pump relay... under the driver side.. if you go to eBay and search. You will find a picture of it and it is very easy to replace. At the dealer it will cost about 60 bucks for the part.

TXGreasemonkey, sorry it took so long to get back!!

Interesting development. I checked all the fuses and they were good, so I go to replace the ignition switch. The original switch that I pull out has a relay attached to it, but the replacement doesn't.

Well, I replaced the ignition switch anyway WITHOUT the relay and the car started twice, but now won't start at all. I'm currently waiting the usual ten minutes to see if it'll start again.

In response to chuckiehi, I understand the car shutting off if it thinks there's no fuel, but would the fuel pump relay cause the dashboard to go black while driving?


Thanks!!

Unlikely.