# 1988 honda accord start up trouble/stalling **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 31, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061 "2008-01-31T17:14:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanma2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e9bcb4/32.png) [@vanma2008](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vanma2008)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/1 "2008-01-31T17:14:35Z")
I bought an 88 Honda Accord 6 months ago from a guy who buys/sells cars&said he?d just bought it from an elderly couple who rarely drove it. It only had 144K miles on it & there were a lot of receipts with the former owners’ names & service records in the vehicle. It runs great except that one time shortly after buying it, I was driving down a hill at about 50 miles an hour after driving all over town in it and it completely stalled. I pulled off the side of the road & it started right up. I took it in to be checked. Was told it was likely carbon that clogged the fuel line temporarily due to having been garaged so much. They also said it had a new fuel filter on it. Then I began having problems starting it. It sounded like a vacuum-like sound sucking the life from it, rather than engaging fully at the start. Sometimes, I’d take at least 4 times before it would start. It has stalled on me dead a couple times since on the road & had a tough time restarting it. Both times were shortly after having had trouble starting it in the morning. Twice, I?ve been at gas stations & the pump didn?t stop and overflowed the tank. Could that have anything to do with any of this? I?ve had it at a shop for almost 2 weeks & they say they can?t duplicate the problem although it stalled one time after trying to start it. I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions? I?ve already replaced 2 tires and had a brake job done on it. I have a teen I want to be able to use it, but not with the stalling problem unsolved?Too scary… ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/2 "2008-01-31T17:48:39Z")
You need to clarify which model Accord it is. Some are carbureted and some are fuel injected. Knowing which one you have can make a big difference in any theorizing here. Right offhand, I’m leaning towards a failing fuel pump. A failing pump can be a hit and miss affair at times. A failing main relay or ignition switch can also cause intermittent stalling. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/3 "2008-01-31T19:42:10Z")
Yes, what OK said. Is this DX, LX lor LXi ? ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/4 "2008-02-01T01:51:25Z")
Most DX models have a carb . . . most LX, Ex and LXi have fuel injection. However, this timeframe was a transition time from carb to fuel injection. Look at the air cleaner and take off the top . . easy enough to see if it’s a carb or fuel injection. Then we can can offer some suggestions. Rocketman ---
**Author:** ![nfs480](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@nfs480](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nfs480)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/5 "2008-02-01T05:35:09Z")
All DX and LX models have carbs. The LX-i had fuel injection (the “i” in LX-i stands for injection). I have an '89 SE-i, which was the only year they made the SE-i. ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1988-honda-accord-start-up-trouble-stalling/10061/6 "2008-02-02T15:01:19Z")
Thanks nfs . . . kinda makes sense, the “i” thingy. How’s your '88 running? How many miles? Rocketman