Why is my car starting only intermittently?

Question

I have a 2000 Honda Accord EX. Yesterday morning, the starter motor cranked, but the car wouldn't start. (We tried repeatedly.) Today, it started right up on the first try. What's likely to be the problem?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Answer 1

What do you mean doesnt start? Do you mean it turns over but wont fire? Or do you mean it wont even turn over no matter how many time you turn the key? If it turns over but doesnt fire then try the test below.

Here is a test to try. Go to the auto parts store and buy some Wire Dry. It comes in a can like WD40. Next time the car doesnt start spray the wire dry on each of the ignition coils while trying to start the car after spraying each coil. If this works then you may have a cracked or a couple of cracked coils so when moisture gets in one it prevents the coil working. The cars electronics will not send signals to any other coils if one doent work preventing damage. If it doesnt work? Errrr............

Answer 2

Water in the gas. Add Isopropyl alcohol to your gas tank. If this doesn't get it. Some morning hook up an inductive timing light to your car. Hook the induction clamp to any ignition wire. hook the two small wires red to a 12 volt source and the negative to a clean ground. As soon as you roll your motor with the starter with your finger holding the trigger in the light should flash. Point the light at your face as it's tough to see in the daylight. If the light does not flash you have an ignition problem If tou have a distributor cap, disconnect, turn upside and spray WD-40 inside. That displaces water. Check cap discoloration. Replace cap and rotor if you detect anything unusual. Check coil wire ends for blue / green discoloration. If you see anything you first must thoroughly clean the coil plug in or distribute cap center center receptacle before plugging in a new coil wire. Coat both ends with silicone ignition grease. If you see other ignition wires with discoloration on the ends, scrap them an replace with the best you can lay your hands on. Shoot for the lowest resistance with the highest dielectric strength silicone insulating jackets.

Answer 3

i'd suspect 2 issues. One is the starter, sometimes they'd get a lifeless spot or no longer paintings while warm, I actual have even poured water on a starter to kick back it and then it would paintings. the different, I uncertain, yet, in the adventure that your key has a chip, it would desire to in all risk be going undesirable. $one hundred-2 hundred to substitute and this is a broking merchandise. This all i'm able to declare for now, will think of extra.