My wife's 96 Honda Accord would not start with her late last week. It would turn over but not crank. The battery was pretty old and had began corroding on the terminals so I replaced it. I then replaced the spark plugs and it would start if I patted the gas. I then replaced the fuel filter and it fired right up. Thinking I had fixed the problem, I took it off for a test drive. Two miles later, it cut off while driving and wouldn't start again. It was running really well before it cut off. I've looked online and seen where it could be one of many different problems. When you turn the key to the on position, you hear the fuel pump come up to pressure so I don't think that's it. Just in case, I disconnected the fuel hose from the injectors that that connects to the filter and turned the key to see. It appeared to be all right. It pumped pretty good. I've also seen where it could be the main relay. Could a faulty relay make it cut off while driving? I've also taken the plug wires off and seen it spark when it was trying to start. Could the injectors be plugged? Could the fuel pump be pumping but not supplying enough pressure? Could it be firing but not hot enough to ignite the fuel? Relay problems? HELP!

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Originally Posted by 03PackEngr

Could a faulty relay make it cut off while driving? I've also taken the plug wires off and seen it spark when it was trying to start. Could the injectors be plugged? Could the fuel pump be pumping but not supplying enough pressure? Could it be firing but not hot enough to ignite the fuel? Relay problems? HELP!!

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A faulty relay is not too likely. It would be best to test for spark immediately after the car stalls.
Chances are the ignition coil and/or module is overheating while driving and shutting down.

Also, when you tested for spark, was it a healthy snap with a blue spark?
A weak coil will generate a noticeably smaller spark and will be yellow, and would not be hot enough to fire the air/fuel mix once it is compressed.

Thanks for responding. The spark wasn't a strong blue spark. It was more of a bright red or orange.

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Originally Posted by 03PackEngr

Thanks for responding. The spark wasn't a strong blue spark. It was more of a bright red or orange.

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That indicates a weak coil. I would recommend a replacement coil and also consider replacing the ignition module at the same time. That would hopefully give you the confidence of many miles of worry-free driving.
I hope this helped.

I would replace the Ignition Control Module and coil, as described below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896