QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I read another Honda owner's question about their engine not starting in warm weather. I'm not sure if this is a warm weather problem or not, just that the problem has increased since the weather has warmed up. I have a 1999 Honda Accord LX with about 160K miles. I bought it last year with 140K. It has been in otherwise pristine condition but starting in the spring, it occasiosionally wouldn't start. The engine would turn over, but it wouldn't start. If I sat for about five minutes or so, it would fire right up with no further problems. However over the last few months, the problems has become more frequent and now the engine will cut off while I'm driving. But, still if I wait a few minutes, it will start right up and go.
The ignition switch recalls were addressed prior to me purchasing the car, and before I found that out, I have had my mechanic to replace the ignition switch, myself. In addition, I've had the rotor replaced in the distributor cap, as well as a complete tune-up, replacing the wires and plugs. I also had the timing belt and water pump replaced upon purchasing the vehicle last year. Other than that, it runs like a top. Any suggestions? Thanks
ANSWER: Evelyn, turns off and you have no lights on the dash? Or turns off intermittently and lights on the dash stay on? Lights meaning check engine, standard lights that turn on when you key the ignition to 'on'. There have been some issues on these cars with the fuel pump and a fuel pump relay switch going bad too. Let me know in a follow-up question so i can further diagnose the problem.
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QUESTION: To answer your question, the check engine light doesn't come on, but the other lights do stay on once the car cuts off; the oil light battery light, panel lights, etc. However, I may have been wrong about it being a warm weather problem. Yesterday morning it started with no problem and I drove it to my mom's. But later on in the heat of the afternoon, I couldn't get it to start and had to leave it until this morning. When I started it first thing this morning, it starts with no problem. The dealership states that they will have to re-create the problem in order to figure what's wrong with it. But when my mechanic looked at it the other day, he drove it for almost an hour with no problems. Go figure. And I am reluctant to pay $80 to $100 bucks to them if they can't 're-create the problem.' Thanks for the advice!
AnswerAnd yes of course, they always need to re-create the problem. Hard to do on an intermittent problem like yours. This could be the fuel system, ignition, or the coolant system. One of these areas lies the answer to your problem. A good mechanic with the proper tools should be able to read your last and/or any stored previous check engine codes that your computer has retained since its last reset. This might help you solve the issue too. Let me know if i can be of any other service in the future. Good luck to you.
