Hello All, I've been having an issue with a 1993 honda accord AT. Every couple of times I try to start the car it it will not engage the starter. The battery is good, the charging system is good also..

Now I'm leaning towards an ignition switch issue, but I'm not sure what the signs are of a bad relay. It has not stalled, just the occasional fail to turn over.

I've played with the key and jiggled it and sometimes it will start, sometimes I do not have to jiggle it. I've moved it into and out of park and again ... sometimes.. I did remove the key once and the car though the key was still in the ignition.. sometimes it will try to turn over but onl get a half revolution, then nothing.. I turned the key back to the acc. position then forward to start and it fired right up..

This is my daughters car, and she panics when it doesn't start immediately cause she's usually ripping out of the house like her hair is on fire running late...

I hate to throw parts and money at the car and not know the cause. The car been sitting for about 8 months prior to us driving it. But I'm not aware of any issues with starting the car prior.


My list, ignition switch, neutral safety switch, main relay, fuel pump relay, starter relay.

Is there something I can remove from my list from my description above?

thanks

bob

 

You need to test whether the 12V start signal to the starter is happening when problem arises. Best way to do this is to rig a temporary light to the start signal wire (usually small blk/wht wire to starter solenoid). Temporary light is taped to windshield to allow viewing from driver's seat.

If no start voltage is delivered (light off) on starter command, then ignition switch or neutral switch are likely.

If you are receiving a start voltage to the solenoid, but no starter turnover, then starter solenoid is the problem. Usual fix is new starter.

You can rule out Main Fuel Relay and fuel pump is car always starts when starter works.

good luck

 

4 months ago my '92 (5 spd) was just starting to give similar problems, but took it on out of state trip anyway (dumb, yeah).

Well it didn't want to start and I happened to be next door to local garage. So mechanic came out with a heavy hammer while I had kept the key turned to start (and no turnover) and hit the starter hard a couple of times with hammer. Started immediately. Garage put in new starter and all's well.

 

If the engine doesn't crank at all I would probably not consider the main fuel relay or fuel system. Those usually result in the engine cranking but without it catching and starting.


You can detect main fuel relay failures by listening for the fuel pump when the key is at ON (before you turn to START position). That's kind of tricky because if it works intermittently you won't know the fuel pump didn't whine unless you listen for it before each and every start. Also removal of it and visual inspection may sometimes show cracked solder joints.


I had that car a while back and I had no starts due to main fuel relay. I had to get under the dash and remove it, desolder and resolder it with perfect joints and put it back on. Never gave me a problem after that. But in my case I could hear the fuel pump not working, it would crank but not catch and I could visually see cracked solder joints. If you don't at least have it cranking I would consider something electrical or starting system instead.

 

I have a quick update, not sure if this will help or just confuse things...

I ordered a starter and asked daughter to bring car in garage.. (20deg today) She could not get it started. I can home and battery was only at 11.9... And the starter was slow rolling but not catching. I could her the steering column clicking but it wouldn't catch. I hooked up the jumper box, tried it nope. Then tried it again and it caught.. I had a newish battery from the car she blew up. I swapped it in ... patted myself on the back ... the car started 5 times in a row, fired right up... It was lunch time, I cleaned up to go back to work,. I asked the girl to fire it up, and test it. First time great , second time... just a click , 3rd time, click. 4th slow roll, just a few turns.

I had to go I wish I asked her to key it while I hit the starter with a hammer....

thoughts??

 

Loose/dirty/corroded battery cables? BOTH ends?

Sounds like it's all about the starting system, so you can probably ignore things like main-relay & fuel pump.

I usually suggest hitting the starter with a broom handle or something - a bit less severe than a hammer.

With certain starters you can dismantle the starter & replace the contacts in the solenoid (the little cylinder attached to the starter motor). But then you ordered a new starter & waiting for it to show up??

 

Th starter is in my possession, can't start on it till after work. I can always return it but it's easier for me to grab it and have it on hand then to run out later..

I ran home at lunch, hoping to catch a brake... agreed with starting system, I've replaces both factory terminal ends that connect to the battery, and cleaned up the body ground.. The starter was pricy, and I have time to armchair it until this evening.

 

As of 6:30 am the problem would appear to be fixed, the cause was the starter.. It was an cheap aftermarket rebuilt unit, I swapped it for a new, cheap aftermarket rebuilt unit. The rate at which my daughter runs though vehicles, this starter will be fine...

thanks all..

bob