if i shut off my car and start it immediately back up, it starts fine. same thing if i shut it off and leave it off for a couple of hours. but, if i shut it off, run into the gas station or something and then try to start it, it wont, in fact, it wont even try. it used to just do this if it only sat for a few minutes before restarting, but last night and tonight, i had to let the car sit for 2+ hours in order to restart it. and it doesnt happen on a regular basis---one day it does this and one day it doesnt. im just sick of getting stranded while waiting ofr my car to decide to cooperate. any suggestions?

 

Year? Model? Please move a little to the left. I can't see your car from here.

You say it 'won't even try' so that means the starter doesn't crank? Try hitting the starter with something; if that works, your starter is on it's way out.

If the starter works, let us know. Then you can check for spark, or maybe check for a bad main relay.

 

90 honda accord. starter cranks, but it doesnt sound like it is even igniting the fuel. i checked for spark. the starter works fine, i think the problem is with the fuel or the ignition.

 

Well, yeah, the question is WHICH. If you have spark, then the problem must be fuel.

Turn the key on but don't start the engine. Listen for the fuel pump to run for about 2 seconds then quit. (It's not real loud.) If you don't hear it, check for a blown fuse. If not, then you get to check the main relay (supplies power to ECU, injectors, & pump). You'll want a wiring drawing for '90, 'cause I don't have one.

 

thanks, ill give that a try tonight and see what happens. i actually just got home from an attempted trip to work where my car dies on the highway and refuses to start. hopefully it is just a fuse that i can replace on the side of the highway.

 

how do you check for spark? sorry im a newboe to this stuff, but wanna learn in case i run into problems w/ my accord =)

 

stick a screwdriver in your plug wire goin into cyl 1, the cyl on the driver side and lay it on the body of the car, this does require two people and try to crank your car, if its manuel do NOT press the clutch and make sure you dont completely crank your car over..but you can see a blue line (spark) or u could get the other person to hold the screw driver w/e is easier for you...

 

Ignition coil could be going bad too....

 

EFI relay