Howdy all,
Not sure I need a new DIY request etc, but rather some clarification.

My 95 LX I4 stalls intermittently CEL comes on as it stalls.
EDIT: 5 speed manual
I can restart it and continue to drive if I wait a bit, if I drive long enough it will stall again..
I have not verified spark, however when It won't start and I crank it a lot I DO NOT SMELL ANY GASOLINE.
Brand new Battery.

Seems to me that it is a lack of fuel, perhaps caused by a bad Injector Relay (if there is such a thing?)
I have not yet checked the Alternator, can a bad alternator interrupt the fuel supply?

I have tons of experience with BMWs but not much with the Honda (it doesn't usually require any repairs even at 300k).

Summary
Can a bad alternator cause the fuel flow to stop?
is there a fuel injector relay (or similar heat sensitive electronic component)?

Thanks!

 

There's a "main relay" which supplies power to the fuelpump, ECU, injectors and a lot of other solenoids in the system. It can fail with heat, the common fix is to re-solder the connections on the printed circuit board inside the relay case. But that usually doesn't stall a car that's already running.

Read the CEL error code.
https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...l-codes-35962/

 

Thanks,
I will check those codes.
I saw the "main relay" mentioned in other posts along with the fact that it doesn't stall running cars, if the "main relay" causes the fuel injectors stop injecting fuel however...

I am looking at the Wiring diagrams, does anyone know what the "Main relay" would be called?

Second Question, if the spark is not present in the engine (Distributor cap failure for example) will the injectors keep sending fuel?
Is the lack of fuel smell a possible cause, or just a symptom of a lack of spark?

 

Main relay might be called the "PGM-FI relay". In the wiring diagrams it's shown as 2 relays together inside the same plastic box. One relay switches power to the ECU and to most of the solenoid valves in the FI system. The other relay switches power to the fuel pump.

So... if the main relay fails, then you'll have no spark and no fuel. But it's people's general experience that it won't stall a running engine. Not an absolute certainty so I won't rule it out in my mind.

I haven't done BMW since my '74 tii so I don't know much about how they are wired.

Your Honda will have 3 timing sensors inside the distributor (CKP, CYP, TDC). The ECU uses those timing signals for spark as well as fuel-injector timing. If (that's a big IF) those are bad (cut wiring harness?) then the ECU will not fire the spark nor the fuel.

If the spark fails for some other reason (bad coil, etc) then you'll still have fuel. Not sure if the fuel smell will survive to the tailpipe. A more certain test is to pull a sparkplug after trying to start.

CEL codes might get you started in the right direction.

 

Awesome info thanks.

my exhaust system leaks like a sieve, I may actually smell it.

your 74 tii was only two years from the first automotive computer 1976 2002 (or 733, year is correct, model may be wrong). BMWs are a world unto themselves, bulletproof and temperamental all at the same time...
Stable includes:
1988 325iC
1990 750iL
1998 540i6
2005 X3 3.0
1995 Honda Accord LX I4

 

The tii was a cool car but it was rapidly turning into a pile of reddish powder.

 

When the car stalls out, does the check engine light turn on for a few seconds, then turn off? In other words, does the check engine light do the two second bulb check like when you first turn the key to the II position, but don't try to start the car?

Can you get the car to stall out by shaking the key while the engine is running?

I would disconnect the battery and clean all ends of both battery cables.

 

That's a custom BMW reddish color

that's exactly what it does
No, but it does seem to be very sensitive to turning back towards I
Brand new battery, old cables. going to clean them now...

 

I would clean the battery cables just to be sure the stalling isn't due to a loose cable.

If this keeps happening, I think that you may have to replace the electrical portion of the ignition switch.

 

My high school girlfriend got a 1973 2002 Tii for graduation. British racing green/tan leather/4 spd. That car was quick, but soon developed a lot of recurrent problems with the electrical system and it ate brakes. We used to refer to her car as "The BM-Trouble You", as it spent a lot of time on the back of a tow truck. It actually met its demise as a result of an engine fire on the shoulder of the 605 freeway...Burnt to a crisp.