my friend's accord. '89 auto has starting problems
the symptoms didn't sound like any of the threads that came under search -.-

the problem is that it cranks but doesn't turnover (sometimes). since i didn't relli have time to look at it, today when it wouldn't turn over, i cranked it, and the tach needle seemed to studder up so i floored it and it the engine started running. (apparently giving air while cranking has worked every time(her dad does it to start it up for her)) (she didn't know what it means to give gas when cranking so she steps on the accelerator a few times THEN cranks and it USUALLY works)

my friend said this happens (might not be too accurate =\) when its v hot, v cold, when she "drives really fast on the highway" then stops for around 10 minutes and tries to crank again, when its cranked like more than 3 times: go here; stop for few hours; go there; stop for few hours; go here; stop for few hours; crank-craps out.

i was thinkin either battery or alternator has gone bad because starting the car numerous times craps out the battery and if it never gets recharged, not enough current will go to the starter to turnover the engine (giving air while cranking allows there to be more gas to be put in the cylinder therefore causing a bigger explosion during cranking which gives more power when starting???? thats why giving air while cranking works ??). i told her to check her battery/alternator tomorrow. but in the meantime, maybe my assumption sounds wrong and the symptoms seem to point somewhere else ?

thanks a lot guys =]

 

I have a very similar problem. The 2000 lx v6 accord (106K). Every once in a while, like once a month and sometimes 2 months, it'll start but then dies right away. like its not getting enough gas or air. so to get it to work, right after crank the ignition and let go, in that 2 second window when the car is actually running, ill give it gas until the tach hits 3k for about 10 or 15 seconds and then the car funs fine. For me it definitely isnt the battery or alternator. It hasnt died in about 2-3 months now. I thought it might have been the PCV but ive changed that and that wasn't it. What I do do right now is make sure im current on my oil changes b/c for some weird reason, and im only testing this right now, maybe it has something to do with the oil change

-cl206

 

Usually if you have to hold the gas peddle down it mean you engine is flooded. Try a simple tune up first (plugs,cap,rotor,wires). It could be a leaking fuel injector too. The leaking fuel injector leaks all the left over fuel psi all this fuel stays in the engine and then you try to crank it all this extra fuel causes a ritch condition failing plugs and causing hard starts. Could also be a problem with you iac system.

A cel?