Greetings from a Forum newbie. I've owned nothing but Hondas (three Accords and one Civic) since '90, and have experienced some odd issues with my '92 Accord.

For a few months, starting last spring, the engine temperature gauge would rise (about a quarter of the way from the redline) during idling, and return to normal when the car was in motion. Suddenly, the problem disappeared. Around the same time -- though I'm not exactly sure of the event sequence -- the engine fan would come on about 10 seconds after the vehicle was turned off, and run for about a minute or two. That's still happening. Finally, there's the intermittent no-start issue I first noticed last summer (I initially thought it might be the batter, which I changed, to no avail). On occasion, the car simply refused to turn over. It didn't happen all the time, but once in a while, maybe three or four times a week. When it did occur, it usually didn't happen first thing in the morning, but on subsequent starts later in the day. I'd then let the car sit for 10 or 15 minutes and try starting it once more, with success. Like the engine temperature problem, however, the no-start issue disappeared as quickly as it came about. But in this case, the problem seemed to cease when the weather got cold.

Just to fill you in: The car has 156K miles; the radiator was replaced four years ago and the coolant level is normal. I noticed no discoloration of the coolant either. The engine doesn't leak any fluids, though once in a blue moon I detect a very faint smell "something burning". Again, nothing that would make me jump up and take notice.

Before bringing it in to the shop, I'd appreciate your expert take on what might be going on, and whether I'm looking at a substantial repair bill. Many thanks.

 

The temp problem I'd suspect the T-stat as a likely culprit.
A thermostat replacement is very cheap insurance.
The fans are supposed to run after engine shut off if the sensor thinks the engine temp is too high. Possible sensor problem as I'm sure it's cold in Yonkers this time of year.
Won't crank problem could be worn contacts in the starter solenoid or poor battery connections. Can you hear the starter make a loud 'click' when it won't crank over?

FWIW. The coolant will look the 'right' color and will pass a freeze point test for years, but it gets acidic over time and starts eating up seals and gaskets.
There is a standard for the proper pH level but no shop I know of ever checks it. Ifthe coolantsmells like rotten socks, it's time for a change.

 

does the engine turn over like its trying to start or do you get nothing at all? if its turning over I can almost guarantee you its the main relay, my 92 had that same problem and it turned out the main relay was going bad. as for the temp. guage I got no clue lol.

 

Thanks so much, hondadude and drummer1279. The engine does, in fact, turn over like it's trying to start. And no, the starter doesn't make a loud click at any time. The relay, like so much of the car (which has otherwise operated flawlessly all these years) is the original.

I thought there might be a thermostat issue. What confounded me is why the problem would disappear suddenly.

The coolant has been in the system for about 45,000 miles. Time for a flush, I suppose.

Again, thanks!

 

Oh okay sure; cranks but won't start in warm weather is a good sign of poor solder joints in the main relay. Pop that sucker out of it's case and touch up the solder joints.
Now we get the REAL story

Disregard that bit about the starter contacts and battery connections.

 

I just made an appointment with my local mechanic. Thanks for the primer!

 

howdy, actually your no start problem is possibly the same one i had with my 92. have your distributor checked. it goes away in the cold because its the ignition module, which is located inside the distributor. however, because it is, its just as cheap and better reasoning to replace the whole distributor.

I went through four pepboys distributors before i decided "to hell with it" and went to honda, which turned out to be 140 bucks cheaper!

so go to your local HONDA DEALER and have it checked.

might very well solve it!

 

On a side note the most common reason for a failed ignition module in the distributor is because it gets to warm due to improper resitance, it has improper resitance due to having bosch spark plugs in your motor... Stick to NGK, also a bad distributor cap can give the appearance of a failed ignition module in some tests... so make sure your cap and rotor are good if that turns out to be a possibility... If you do need a new distributor I would suggest clicking on the little link on the right for honda parts warehouse and talk to them.... as Desert says DIAGNOSE DIAGNOSE DIAGNOSE.... now you have 4 things that are possible/most common.... let us know what the mechanic says

 

Yo aslguy.......why would you want to replace the whole distributor if only the ignitor is bad ??
i have replaced dozen upon dozen of faulty ignitors and reused the same old distributor with no reoccuring problems

diagnose and replace only what is needed to do the job properly , no need to spend extra money