Originally Posted by
help98hond
Thanks!
OK, for anyone that has the same problems as I did on my 98 Honda Accord 4DR. My problems was if I drove the car for 15min or more once I arrived at my destination I tried to restart the car and it wouldn't restart after the 3rd or sometimes 7th try. Also I noticed when it was hot outside the car would also not start. I fixed my problem today. The first thing you should do is to troubleshoot the "PGM-FI Main Relay Switch" and do a test on it to make sure it works. (If you hear the fuel pump wind that means it works) The next thing is observe and describe exactly what your car does when you try to start it. Also know the difference between "cranking" and "no sound" when you go to try to start your car. I know a little about cars and I've been reading some of everybodies same problems and answers. This is how I solved my problem. From the key I put it into the ignition I turn it and I get power. I then complete the turn to try to start the car all I can hear is a CLINK sound. (Remember "cranking", "no sound", and "clink" observe what you hear) So I try again and I keep hearing that "clink" sound. The "clink" sound is coming from the starter solenoid which means that it's not the solenoid because it's working. (As long as you can hear that "clink" sound it works) So here was my problem it was the STARTER MOTOR. Some said they were told it was their ignitor,coil, plugs and distributer. You really have to pay attention to what your car is doing and then it'll be easy. I figured out my problem by thinking once I turned the key the power flow allowed me go through the ignition, ignitor, coil and all that other stuff. But it ended at the Starter Solenoid. What does the STARTER DO? IT turns the car over it cranks it so that way it hits the fly wheel and starts the car! At the same time I also had a check engine light on. It was separate from the Starter it was emissions and was my oxygen sensor. I fixed that after I fixed the Starter. I was still able to start the car with my check engine light on. Keep in mind when you have a check engine light on that just means check your computer and find the code. If you search some shops will give you a good price just to read you the code. Sometimes even for free. I replaced the Starter myself today ( by the way you might as well just buy the entire Starter and Solenoid together) After that I called around and asked to see what were the prices to read my check engine light. As most of them were going to charge me the entire diagnostic fee of $95.00 I found one for $35.00 and would give me the printout. But I found the best one was the mechanic that told me just bring it buy and he'll hook it up and he wouldn't charge me anything. Oh! And also if you disconnect the battery that will reset your computer on the car and the check engine light will go away temporarily. So you want to have that read first before disconnecting because when I disconnected the battery in order to fix my starter the check engine light went away. I had to wait for my code to get stored in the computer again. But my problem is fixed! I hope this helps. Also on 98 Honda Accords the radiator hose is right on top of the starter and that hose can get hot. It can overheat the starter sometimes and may play a role when it was hard to start when the car was hot or driven or a short period.
