I've got an issue with my 98 Accord LX (4 cyl). Seems to only happen when it's hot outside, or when the car has been sitting out in the sun and the interior gets hot. I never have the problem in the morning when it's cool and the car has been in the garage all night.

When I go to start the car, it turns over and starts fine, but then immediately dies. When I say immediately, I mean, as soon as I let go of the key. I then take the key out and wait a few minutes and try again and it starts fine. I did some searching on these forums, and found lots of people who had issues with the soldering points on the Main Relay going bad, and causing the same symptoms I've been having ... So I switched out my main relay, but it didn't fix the problem. So I took it into the shop to get it looked out. They found a couple different codes in the computer (my check engine light comes on from time to time), and fixed those (new "rear" O2 sensor, and new EGR valve). But I still have the problem ...

Then I noticed something a few days ago. When it didn't start the first time, I went to put the windows down while I waited to try again, and the power windows wouldn't go down. After messing around a little bit, I noticed that although the key was in the ignition and turned to the ON position, I didn't have any electric power in the car. The windows wouldn't work, the radio wasn't on, and I had no lights lit up on the dash. I finally found that if I give the key a very slight nudge toward the start position, that the electric systems then come on. Once the electric is running, I can go ahead and start it up and it then runs fine ...

So now I've figured out that the problem is because the electric systems aren't coming on when I put the key in, and it only happens when it's hot in the car (i.e. after sitting in the sun on a hot day). But I still don't know what the exact problem is. I can still get around in the car. I just have to make sure to get the electric systems going before I start it up. Just yesterday I had another interesting thing happen. After running for about 5 minutes, the car shut down right while I was driving down the road. After some more research, I figured out what caused it I think. I usually always have the AC running (it's HOT here in KY), and set to put cool air out on the floor. But yesterday, I had it only set to put out air via the top vents. So I think whatever is broken that causes the electric to not start in the first place, warmed up as the car warmed up while driving to the point that it again caused the electric systems to shut down. If I keep the AC going on the floor, this doesn't seem to happen. Once I get it started, it runs fine.

Finally, my check engine light is still coming on from time to time, which I think may be my other O2 sensor, but I have yet to confirm that.

Any ideas what my problem could be? My first thought is that since the electric systems don't come on when the key is turned to the ON position, that maybe I have a bad ignition switch, but I am NOT the least bit a mechanic, so I really don't know. Please help ...

 

1. check your ground connection.... sounds like something is loose and the heat breaks contact.

2. if you ahve an autozone by you... they can read the check engine code (for free usually)

3. or its the ignition switch.

 

These are all classic symptoms of a bad ignition switch.


Sounds like a separate problem. You'll have to check the code to see what it's trying to tell you.

 

Most likely its your ignition switch. Honda has a recall on the 98 for a bad ignition switch. Call your delaer and give them your VIN number to see if your car was part of the recall. This tends to be one of the few weak points Honda has. I know several people with different Honda models of different years that have experienced ignition switch failure.

 

bad ignition relay

 

My vote is ignition switch. If you can completely replicate the problem by lightly touching the key, the problem is there.

Spy

 

My vote goes the the ignition switch as well.

 

monroe probably will no come back even after all that typing so my votes on piston rings,belts to tight or Olive Garden makes me sick.

 

IGNITION for sure.

 

Just had a friend replace his, that huge black relay under the dash is the culprit. You will notice a click when you put the key to on before you start, if its super hot the relay heats up and won't switch the main power. The part is like 60 from the dealership and its an easy swap just hope you have long arms.

Sean