Seems my 96 Accord will not start when the key is turned.The engine turns thens sputters out in 10 seconds,and on one occasion it started.

Have you checked all the usual... petrol, battery, leads etc ?

Does your other electrics work e.g... lights, horn,radio ?

Could you have flooded the engine ?

I had a simlar problem about a month ago, just been on a trip car fine until I stopped somewhere, climbed in to go home... nothing.

Tried everything, even damp start, bit of a joke really it was the hottest day of the year... but you try anything don't you! Anyway eventually had to call the breakdown guy, he gave me a jump start although I was convinced it wasn't the battery, everything else was working but oh yes she started sweet as a nut... definitly the battery.

So I'm saying it's your battery... try the jump start theory

Seems it could be the main relay. When it's really hot they don't want to start. See CluelessChick on this for more info.

Hi tom'... ok then not the battery.

Maybe starter motor on it's way out, or perhaps the distributer.

I 've got an old Rover sli, and for several months it either wouldn't start or you could be travelling along no problem in traffic and suddenly the engine would cut out, no obvious reason, got towed home several times.

I'd try it again a few hours later or sometimes the following morning and it would be fine again, any way after taking it to a garage at least 4 times,paying them for finding nothing wrong off I'd go again.

Eventually it wouldn't even start, maybe just splutter a bit like yours,got hold of a second hand distributer( they are quite expensive) it's been fine ever since... so maybe it's your problem!!

It also sounds abit like fuel starvation, can you check the fuels coming through OK.There use to be a way of checking that,apparently pouring just a little fuel into the carbouretta and start the engine,( but check that out first )... hopefully!

Going back to the distributor, you could just have a hairline crack in it, so moisture could be getting in, try giving it a spray with maybe damp start.

Have you checked the points and spark plugs?


Just shots in the dark tom... I hope one of my suggetions is the problem, but I am no mechanic.

Goodluck

. Test 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-46563-3.html#post252145

. Check for codes.

. Perform tests, in Sections A and B, below:

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

. Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil:

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

The ICM and coil could be at the heart of your problem.

. Replace spark plugs (NGK only), distributor cap, and rotor.

Those cars are known for distributors going bad. Most of them had a built in coil and an external ignitor. But more than likely it will be a bad distributor.