[Dave T Accord]

Well I have a 98 honda 2 door coup with a 3.2 liter V6. It seems to be a little edgy lately. For the past couple of months periodically it would start, but run rough and then die, I would give another hit to the ignition and it would start and run fine.

A few days ago I went out to start the car, and it would just crank over, but wouldn't start. Knowing the past i walked away and tried again a few more times but it still wouldn't start. I called AAA and had it towed to a honda dealership where the next afternoon I get a call telling me that the car started just fine and they couldn't find any issues with it. I asked them to keep the car another day and try again.. but again no issues the car started fine.

I then pick up the car from the dealership and drive it home parking it in the driveway. Two days later go to drive it and it won't start. Give it some time and on the 3rd try about 30 minutes later it started. That was today in the afternoon. Since then I have continued to try to duplicate the issue with no luck.

What I'm noticing:
1.) All check engine lights and dash lights function properly. The check engine doesn't stay on.
2.) The engine cranks over like it normally does, however it doesn't start. (haven't been able to verify if their is a lack of spark) But I have always dealt with electronic components that either work or don't.
3.) I can't hear the fuel pump but then again I never have heard the fuel pump before. Again I thought they either work or don't.
4.) This issue seems to have only happen on hot days ( to my knowledge)

Is anyone experienced this with another Honda?

I'm no expert at all, but may I suggest checking the "fuel shut off swith"?( I assume it is stand on all vehicles?)The reason I mention this is several years ago my friend had the same speratic thing happen to his Ford Broncho and after several months of frustration he discovered it to be a faulty fuel shut-off switch that is supposed to shut off the fuel pump in a collision.It was location under the passenger dash in his Broncho.Again, I have no idea if this applies to your car, but it sure sounds the very same.Regards and good-luck... DaveT

[baltej]

I have 1999 honda accord starting problem.fuel is nort cominng but fuel pump is OK.engine is moving very good but not starting

[Ronwell]

1998 Honda 3.2 V6 Coupe
No answer on this yet but here is my time with it.

My car ran like a top.
I went on vacation for 9 days and car sat in cool garage.
Car started and ran fine when I got home in the morning.
Check engine light came on during morning drive in (summertime 100+ heat). “EGR valve restriction flow” (sorry, don't remember exact code).
It started displaying crappy starting behavior over the next couple of days, 5-7 cranks (up from like one-crank and fire) and it would fire if cold and run flaky for a couple seconds before stabilizing. If warm, starting was hit or miss but I could always get it started eventually via swearing, intimidation, and tough love. It would ALWAYS run rough for that two-second period and then level off. It DID NOT rev up and then back down. Just crappy two seconds, and up to 900-1000 RPM like nothing happened. If I ran it, shut it off, and then tried to start it shortly thereafter, nothing. I would have to wait for a while to try again.
An afternoon later it would not start. Fuel pump was not engaging at "Batt-On" so I figured it was a bad fuel pump causing the issue or perhaps a blown fuse (200K on original fuel pump, go Honda). Fuses were good so I looked at fuel pump (You can easily hear the fuel pump on a 98 Honda Accord. It runs for two seconds. It's in front of driver side rear wheel, black box under near-center of car. Open driver door in somewhat quiet environment and turn battery "on" without starting car. That little whine is the fuel pump). I "tapped" on the fuel pump a few times in the parking lot, it engaged, and the car started but had same crappy starting behavior. It sounded like it was starving, flooding, or just generally couldn’t figure out what it wanted to do for those first couple seconds and then was fine. I limped it to Goodyear for a new fuel pump. They confirmed a bad fuel pump bearing but admitted that it was “still doing it.” Knowing that the EGR valve and other components were brand new, they mentioned the possibility of carbon build-up in the EGR port and other places within the engine. I took the car for testing.
I went back to Goodyear and they were good enough to do some exploratory surgery to confirm that the EGR port (in front of EGR valve, not valve itself) was VERY restricted with carbon build-up and that the intake manifold chamber was also quite built-up with carbon. You cannot clean the intake manifold chamber any easier than replacing it (especially when you’re paying someone). I had Goodyear replace the intake manifold chamber (there is actually a Honda Service Bulletin out for this exact problem), clean out the EGR port (be careful with drill bit procedure: DO NOT USE POWER DRILL. Just by hand.), replace PCV valve, PCV hose, replace throttle body gasket, clean throttle body assembly, and test the fuel pump that they recently installed. I had them do all vacuum testing and electrical testing they could do. They said vacuum tests all came back good. Electrical, same thing. Now, whether they really did any vacuum and electrical testing I will never know but I like the shop.
Car runs like brand NEW! ….. once it starts.
I think it’s got to be something electrical and reading through these notes and others it sure sounds like a relay problem but all the relays tested well. I might replace the fuel pump relay and main relay as a test even though they tested good. I really hope it’s not the computer wigging out. I want to make 300K+ on this guy.
I will keep updating this post as I think I’ve done quite a bit in the name of replacing “what-if” parts but at this moment it’s a big “WTF?”

[czb]

Hi, I have same problem, Accord coupe 98 sometimes don't start. Every start great but twice maybe after tenth try. Every time when problem occurred car was whole day on summer sun. My mechanic after two hours when he chech pump many others said that imobilizer don't turn on pump, so he make some magic with wires and car works. Ok starting sound like 50's car and my clima and engine ventilator stop working, but it works. So where is problem? Clima and ventialtor could be his mistake while changing wires. He said that main rele could be damaged. Any ideas? Why imobilizer don't activate pump and direct connection yes? Could it be rele or how can outdoor temperature affect imobilizer pump activation?

[czb]

Hi, I have same problem, Accord coupe 98 sometimes don't start. Every start great but twice maybe after tenth try. Every time when problem occurred car was whole day on summer sun. My mechanic after two hours when he chech pump many others said that imobilizer don't turn on pump, so he make some magic with wires and car works. Ok starting sound like 50's car and my clima and engine ventilator stop working, but it works. So where is problem? Clima and ventialtor could be his mistake while changing wires. He said that main rele could be damaged. Any ideas? Why imobilizer don't activate pump and direct connection yes? Could it be rele or how can outdoor temperature affect imobilizer pump activation?

[czb]

Hi, I have same problem, Accord coupe 98 sometimes don't start. Every start great but twice maybe after tenth try. Every time when problem occurred car was whole day on summer sun. My mechanic after two hours when he chech pump many others said that imobilizer don't turn on pump, so he make some magic with wires and car works. Ok starting sound like 50's car and my clima and engine ventilator stop working, but it works. So where is problem? Clima and ventialtor could be his mistake while changing wires. He said that main rele could be damaged. Any ideas? Why imobilizer don't activate pump and direct connection yes? Could it be rele or how can outdoor temperature affect imobilizer pump activation?

[czb]

Hi, I have same problem, Accord coupe 98 sometimes don't start. Every start great but twice maybe after tenth try. Every time when problem occurred car was whole day on summer sun. My mechanic after two hours when he chech pump many others said that imobilizer don't turn on pump, so he make some magic with wires and car works. Ok starting sound like 50's car and my clima and engine ventilator stop working, but it works. So where is problem? Clima and ventialtor could be his mistake while changing wires. He said that main rele could be damaged. Any ideas? Why imobilizer don't activate pump and direct connection yes? Could it be rele or how can outdoor temperature affect imobilizer pump activation?

[czb]

Hi, I have same problem, Accord coupe 98 sometimes don't start. Every start great but twice maybe after tenth try. Every time when problem occurred car was whole day on summer sun. My mechanic after two hours when he chech pump many others said that imobilizer don't turn on pump, so he make some magic with wires and car works. Ok starting sound like 50's car and my clima and engine ventilator stop working, but it works. So where is problem? Clima and ventialtor could be his mistake while changing wires. He said that main rele could be damaged. Any ideas? Why imobilizer don't activate pump and direct connection yes? Could it be rele or how can outdoor temperature affect imobilizer pump activation?

[Accord_g23]

My 02 accord has a problem every now and then. It won't hold the idle then kill then I have to give it gas just to start and steddy tapin on the gas for it to stay started. I wait until the next day it stars rite up. Trick Honda they don't know nuttin and then they built the car. I think it might be injectors or something...

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Accord g23, try cleaning the throttle plate, throttle body, and Idle Air Control Valve:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ml#post1054149

Afterwards, clean the air box and replace the air filter.

[Humza13]

I to will be buying a new main relay for the ecm, It could be a bad switch, even thou it is new. Also check that your battery cables are good. If that does not work haw about the parking safety switch, I know nothing about the switch. If your geyting the light on your shifter selection flashing? I would look into another Main Switch again. I know of plenty of people that have bought relays that wear no good. As my father bought a fan relay switch from auto zone, it was bad out of the box. No Lie. It could have caused a lot of trouble. Enjoy

[rightwright]

Found another reason why this may happen. We just bought a 98 accord, and it had never happened to the man that owned it.. so he said. We found out that if you have the valet key or any other Honda chip type key on your ring, the receiver in the steering column tries to read both keys and the car will act super flaky and cut off on you with the flashing green key on the panel.

[domsdad1000]

I have a 2000 honda accord that won't start unless u hold the gas and as soon as u stop hoilding the gas down it shuts off what di I do?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

. Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil, if you have the 4-cylinder Accord:

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

. Replace the platinum spark plugs (NGK only), if they have not been changed in the last 3 years or 45,000 miles.

[kryptonites]

Hi All

Help and advice required

I have a 5 Door Honda Accord Saloon(S Reg – 1998) 135000 Miles on clock, I have had my Honda for the past 8 years and I have had no problems with it, until the past 1 year it’s been playing up. Sometimes what happens is when I start the engine and let the key go, the engine switches of again, I need to try multiple times before the car starts or I may have to keep the gas pressed and rev it for a while for the engine to stay on, I was driving once and the engine went of which was a bit scary.. I’ve changed the spark plugs and the fuel filter and I still have the same issue, my mate told me to take it to Honda dealers and tell them to run a diagnostic tool which may 50/50 detect the fault, but that costs £70 quid

The main thing I’ve noticed is that that I never have problems in WINTER when it cold, for some reason it’s always an issue in SUMMER or when the engine gets warm after I’ve driven it for a 10 minutes or even if I’ve left it under the sun.

I have taken it to mechanics and they all say different things, this is what they have told me to change , because they all have said different I’m confused and don’t want to be wasting money as I cannot afford it, I would really appreciate your professional advice

Battery- Changed
Starter Motor – I'm sure it’s not that
Spark Plugs – I changed it 6 weeks ago
Fuel Filter – I changed it 6 weeks ago
HT Leads - The leads that go from the distributor to the spark plugs – can't be this

My car looks like - http://images.drive24.co.uk/RXC_D24I...jpg/Image.ashx


I’m Having problems starting up my car, Help required

[kryptonites]

I have a 2000 honda accord that wont start unless u hold the gas and as soon as u stop hoilding the gas down it shuts off what di i do?

Hi

I have 1998 honda accord, I have the same problem, have you found the solution yet? Have you notices the same thing happens when your car is warm

[kryptonites]

I had a simlar problem with my honda accord and it turn out to be the starter relay

Hi

What a starter relay, and how much does it cost? I seem to have the seem issue

[kryptonites]

I I have an S REG 1998 honda accord The main thing I’ve noticed is that that I never have problems in WINTER when it cold, for some reason it’s always an issue in SUMMER or when the engine gets warm after I’ve driven it for a 10 minutes or even if I’ve left it under the sun, I think it's the main relay? Do you reckon?

Where is the main relay and how does it look like?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Krypto, it exhibits classic signs of main relay failure. If the problem persists, after replacing the main relay, replace the Ignition Control Module and coil:

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

[kryptonites]

I have a 2000 honda accord that wont start unless u hold the gas and as soon as u stop hoilding the gas down it shuts off what di i do?

I I have an S REG 1998 honda accord I have the same issue, The main thing I’ve noticed is that that I never have problems in WINTER when it cold, for some reason it’s always an issue in SUMMER or when the engine gets warm after I’ve driven it for a 10 minutes or even if I’ve left it under the sun, I think it's the main relay? Do you reckon?

Where is the main relay and how does it look like?