Hello all!

I have a great 98' Accord with 140K and have an issue with stall-outs. (Occurs in all temps)

1) Car won't start 1st or 2nd time (sometimes upon engine winding down after the attempt to start I'll hear a series of fast short clicks). Then 3rd time the car will start fine and drive normal.

2) Car will be driving fine, then stall out for one-second, the check engine light will come on - then the car will resume it's normal driving as if nothing is wrong.

I know some other people have thought this is an EFI problem but I would like another opinion as my car has been acting a little different.

Thank you all very much in advance for your time and responses,

-John

 

From my tech manual it's giving me these things to tell you to check on.

1. Check air intake for a leak
2. Check your fuel filter or just replace it if you haven't replaced it lately.
3. Check your spark plugs for excessive fouling..maybe to much fuel getting on them and fouling them out And
4. Of course leads to a faulty fuel ingection system...youll need a fuel pressure tester for that which you can rent at a local parts store (ie) Auto Zone..you rent it and then bring it back and get your dollars back.

Let us know what you find.
WheelBrokerAng

 

Thanks so much WheelBrokerAng,

I'll check it out and let you know asap.

-John

 

Not sure, search for recalls, but I think that model also had issues with the ignition switch. If this recall covers your model, call the dealer to confirm it has been replaced. I think you can give them the VIN and they can tell you. Even if it has been replaced before, I would add that to the list of items to test. One way is to wiggle the key while it is running and see if it shuts off. Even still you might need to check it visually.

 

Hi guys....

Just wanted to update you on the accord issue and see if you had any further ideas.

1) Changed spark plugs. There were badly in need of a change. But problem is still persisting.

2) Added can of bg 44k fuel cleaner. Have driven 130 miles with a new tank of 91 octane. Problem still persists.

3) I cannot change the fuel filter on this make and model.

4) air intake is good. and fuel pump is running well.

*When I start the car it stalls out and now two things happen intermittenly upon start.

a) immediately stalls - as if i was turning the car off

b) stops followed by a series of 5-10 rapid fire clicks and all the lights (check engine---oil---etc) flash with the clicks.

IDEAS?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

Flaky ignition switch?

You say the CEL comes on, but are any codes stored? If not, that would fit with the initial lamp-check when you first turn on the car.

Can you make it happen by wiggling the key?

 

Hello All,


Thank you for the reply Jim,


I just checked with the dealership and my ignition switch was changed out before i got the car - which now leads me to believe it is something electrical.

And no, I cannot reproduce the problem by jiggling the key.


I'm not sure what you mean by "codes stored" Jim..

Electrical problem now?

Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

Codes stored means that someplace (Autozone, etc) can plug in a code reader and retrieve a stored error-code. That would be the case if the CEL came on for real.

When you switch the ignition off then back on, the CEL comes on for 2 seconds (bulb-check). That does not store any error codes. But that's what would happen if you switched off the key for a moment while driving.

The recall for the ignition switch would have replaced it with an identical switch. They weren't re-designed, or improved. So while you might not get it done for free, you should still keep that in your mind as a possibility.

If you could have reproduced it by wiggling the key, that would have proven it's the switch. But when you CAN'T reproduce it, that doesn't really prove that it's not the switch.

 

I no longer have the Helm book for that year (don't own the car anymore...) so I don't know the details of the circuits.

But one way to prove something is to wire up a small lamp to the back of the ignition switch, in the circuit that powers the ECM & everything. Then next time when it stalls, you can notice whether the lamp stays on or goes out. I wonder if there's an easier way to do that, like tapping into the fusebox somewhere.

 

After changing plugs and adding fuel cleaner - it was the ignition switch. It was changed out in 2002 after the recall - and it failed once again. But after $60 - and an hour of my time - it's fixed.

The worst part was removing the stripped bolts from the steering column to get at it.

Thanks again for everyone's replies!