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93 Accord back to shutting off

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  #1  
Old 10-01-2012, 05:43 PM
Christine Ann Chatterton's Avatar
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Question 93 Accord back to shutting off

I haven't had this problem in a couple of years but it used to be a quarterly issue. Every few months, the car would just cut off while running or not start.

In 2008, I replaced the main relay. No change. Also the ignition coil. No change.
In 2009, I replaced the distributor, the battery, the fuel pump, had the fuel lines replaced, everything cleaned. The mechanic was a Honda expert and he said my car had beaten him. No change
In 2010, I had a shadetree mechanic replace the timing belt. It worked fine until today.

It was raining hard today and I hit a puddle. But it has cut off 4 times today and after waiting anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, it has re-started.

I believe I have made all the repairs that have ever been suggested. I have read through many threads and not seen any other solutions. Any suggestions ?
 
  #2  
Old 10-01-2012, 05:49 PM
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There's one thing I don't see in your list; and that is the ignition switch. I wouldn't recommend just replacing parts without testing though.

How to replace the ignition switch or troubleshoot (Honda, Acura)
 
  #3  
Old 10-01-2012, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Christine Ann Chatterton
In 2010, I had a shadetree mechanic replace the timing belt. It worked fine until today.

It was raining hard today and I hit a puddle. But it has cut off 4 times today and after waiting anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, it has re-started... ?
So two yrs it's been good until you got a load of water up underneath.
Each time today - a long wait - and it would restart.

I'm bad at electrical problems, but wouldn't a bad ground connection (insufficiently tightened?) show similar symptoms ...
Spray WD-40 (displaces moisture) on all, all the electrical connections and then tighten them again?
 
  #4  
Old 10-01-2012, 07:47 PM
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has redbul stated

electrical switch....start with that
 
  #5  
Old 11-01-2012, 11:04 AM
Christine Ann Chatterton's Avatar
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Thanks everyone - sorry it I didn't respond back sooner. I had been in a holding pattern for a bit.
@redbull - I did replace the ignition switch - I wrote it was the coil forgetting the coil is in the distributor.

This is what happened: My hubby insisted I send it to Pep Boys because I had a tune-up a month before and at least they would look at it for free (besides the tow fee). Well, they said it was the fuel pump and that would be $600. I just did not believe it was the fuel pump. So I asked them if they checked the main relay. They said they were pretty sure the mechanic did, but he was not there and they could not reach him - they were positive it was the fuel pump. I had my car towed home.

I ordered a main relay from eBay for $30. It did not work. I took my old relay and soldered the two suspect spots I found on a diagram on the net. Mind you, I am no mechanic or electrician - just a regular girl. I put the old relay in and voila ! My car started up and has been running fine so far !

Now I left the case off the old relay while it is plugged in. I have not decided if I should put it back on but perhaps I should since the board is exposed. Any opinions on that ?

I was going to keep an extra relay on hand in case this happens again so I will be prepared. It is a cheap and easy fix.
 
  #6  
Old 11-01-2012, 11:23 AM
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I'd put the cover back on that relay, at least after it works long enough to convince yourself it's really fixed. Cracked solder joints is really common on those; some people just re-melt every joint on the board.

Fix the solder joints on the ebay relay (unless you sent it back) & that can be a spare?
 
  #7  
Old 11-06-2012, 08:43 PM
Christine Ann Chatterton's Avatar
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So my car ran great for 24 hours and then went back to its old tricks - no start. I went to an auto parts store and bought another brand new relay and the car started, went 20 feet and died.
I had it towed to a shop and they told me it was the distributor (I thought maybe that is true since I noticed corrosion in the spark plug wires leading to the distributor). But after they put the distributor in they still cannot get the car to start ! So now they are stumped.

At this point I feel like junking it and moving on. I don't have unlimited resources to keep pouring into this car. I will give them a few more days to see if they can figure it out but they have had my car since Friday.
 
  #8  
Old 11-06-2012, 09:40 PM
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In this link, there is a troubleshooting flowchart.

Honda Acura ignition (no spark) troubleshooting tutorial - How to

When you turn the ignition to ON (II), does the Check Engine Light go on for about 2 seconds and then turn off? Or does the Check Engine Light not even turn on?
 
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