My 1993 Honda Accord sometimes doesn't start. It only happens in the summer. The car will crank but not catch.

Question

It seems to happen frequently on short trips, but only in the heat and humidity. If I wait 10-20 minutes it will start fine. Any ideas?

Answer 1

get a new main PGM FI relay :)

Answer 2

I own a shop, and have dealt with problems like this for years. Fuel captivation (vapor lock) is not a common problem with the new fuel injected vehicles that have a return line to the fuel tank. In other words this is not the cause of the problem if you have fuel injection. This was a problem with Chrysler products that had a carburetor, and no return line to the fuel tank. No vehicles newer than an early 80's model has this fuel problem. Sometimes a fuel pump can be bad, and stop working when it gets hot. Ignition modules will do this exact thing, and is classic symptoms of starting back once the engine cools for about 20 minutes. An ignition control module has its own method to dissipate heat, so if it (for some reason) can't dissipate the excess heat, it will just shut down, and won't work until it cools down. The only way to resolve the problem is to replace the ignition control module. They will even check good when tested. Depending on your system, the location of this module may be in a couple of different places. If you go to a parts store such as Auto Zone and take a look at a new one, you will know what it looks like, and they should be able to tell you where it is located in your system.
It is possible the fuel pump relay is getting too hot, and malcunctioning, but I don't agree with that. The pressure regulator controls the latch part of the relay, as in when the pressure falls too low, the regulator will send power to the relay to pull in the latch. When the latch pulls in, it makes the circuit, thus the power is sent to turn on the fuel pump. Waiting 10-20 minutes for it to start is the big clue here. Something must have to cool down in order for it to work again, and heat doesn't do this to relays. If that was the case then every relay under the hood in all that heat would fail. The fuel return line to the tank may be partially clogged causing the pump to over heat, and the pump is thermo protected. Once it cools down it goes back to operating again. With a good understanding of how relay's work, I can't see how they could be troubled by heat. I would look at what activates the relay (pressure regulator) and run a fuel pressure test to see if it is a fuel problem, or should I say a lack of fuel problem. Heat does play a part in the equation, and I would take a long hard look at an air pressure build up inside the fuel tank as the problem. The pressure that builds up inside a fuel tank in hot weather should be released to the charcoal filter for venting, if not that would mean pressure but not fuel pressure. Next time it does it; try removing the gas cap and see if it has an excessive amount of pressure inside the tank. If so, then you have air pressure, and not fuel pressure. The pressure regulator doesn't know the difference between air and fuel, it just see's pressure.
Glad to help out, Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Here's the deal! If the Accord has proper maintenance, 100,000 miles is not that bad. I'd take a guess and say you could get an additional 50,000+ miles out of that car. However, check for rust, especially around the wheel wells. Ask the owner where he/she had the car serviced and ask for the service records. Also look at the interior for wear and tear. That will tell you how well the owner took care of the car. I've had 4 Honda Accords and all of them were and are excellent vehicles. Good luck.

Answer 4

You are experiencing a very common problem on the early 1990 Accords. The problem has to do with the main relay that controls the fuel pump and the fuel injection system.

the relay is located inside the car under the instrument panel. It will probably be found to the left of the steering column under the dash panel and be grey in color but, depending on the year, it may be on the right side behind the glove box and be brown in color. The problem is that when the car is parked in the sun with the windows rolled up the interior temperature rises. As the interior temperature rises, the circuit board in the relay expands. Over time, that expansion and contraction causes the circuit board to crack and when that happens the circuits break contact when the interior temperature of the vehicle climbs. No contact = no start.

when you open the doors of the car you vent the hot air. as the interior cools down, the circuits in the relay make contact again as the circuit board contracts and the car starts.

have the main relay replaced and you'll eliminate your hot weather no start problem. The relay is usually about $50 for the part through a Honda dealer plus the labor if you pay them to install it. If you ask the parts guy they can probably tell you where to look for it if you want to do it yourself.

hope that helps

Answer 5

1993 Honda Accord

Answer 6

The problem is an ignition control module. when the temperature goes up in the car the car won't start. sounds funny but honda had a problem with these. The module is located behind the dash and above the steering column. It costs around $60.

Answer 7

honda guy is right on this one happen to a few of my friends during the summer heat and 99% of time is the rely

Answer 8

Could be fuel cavitation( Fuel turning into vapour in the lines due to extreme heat).
Or it could be that you have a faulty fuel pump that is only playing up when hot, but i would go with Cavitation as the problem.
Take it to your local shop to have them check it out.

Answer 9

ok take a look at your plugs and wires and than take the cap of the distributor of and see if there is moisture there couse it has happend to me before and the fact that you said it only happends in the summer time that says it all moisture in the distributer cap.

Answer 10

main relay ,even in MI this is a common problem,especially in summer,the location may have a little to do with it.

Answer 11

sounds like you have a bad main relay