2000 Honda Accord. Daughters car and she went to start the car leaving a store and it wouldn’t start. She tried a few times. Cranks fine but didn’t start. Went and got her and she said that it’s happened a couple of times before but she would get it started by waiting and trying until it did. It’s been there since last night so it’s been about 18 hours when I drove over to look at it and it started right up and I drove it home. Any ideas? Thanks.
I would replace the main fuel relay. When the temperatures get hot…the relay is affected and the fuel pump does not operate. When it cools down…the relay works and the car starts. I don’t know why Honda doesn’t apply a fix for this problem because it’s been going on since the late 80’s with their vehicles. Here is a picture of the relay. It hasn’t really changed in all these years.
Thank you . Will try.
I took it to the parts store and it put out a code PO 705 for Transmission Range Sensor. And the intermittent problem does seem to be more related to whether it’s reading it’s in park or not. So playing with it here’s what I found.
If I turn the key to the on position and I can shift the gear to Neutral it will start. I’ll put it back into park first.
If I turn the key to the on position and I’m unable to shift the gear into neutral it doesn’t start.
Until I get the block of time to fix it can she drive it and when she gets to where she’s going just leave it in neutral while it’s parked and waiting for her to come back? It always starts when it’s in neutral. I’d tell her to park on a level spot and just put the emergency brake on.
I don’t know if that’s helpful or not but anyways. I guess the code PO 705 can be more than one thing. I can access the TSR and will test it for starters. Any other ideas before after that?
Are the main relay and fuel pump relay the same thing? If the answer is no I’ll know it’s a dumb question.
Here’s what the relay board looks like… I don’t readily spot any sodering problems but what about the blackened spots?
YES…those are the same thing. However dont dismay…
THE most common problem when a Honda of that vintage does not start.
Number ONE… The PGM-FI Relay under the drivers knee panel.
Number ONE ALSO… The Ignitor Assy inside of the distributor. This is also number one as well because these two items fail on an equal basis…its impossible for me to make either of them a number 2 in the list… they truly are both Number ONE… LOL
I have repaired COUNTLESS No Start Hondas using one or the other… I would have to be onsite to tell you which one it is… However… If you hear the fuel pump prime upon turning the key prior to starting AND your dash lights illuminate as normal… then the PGM-FI relay IS functioning.
If the fuel pump primes…then it is the IGNITOR inside the distributor… Only one tool required to replace it… a Phillips screwdriver. Ive repaired over 100 of these in the last 10 yrs…very very very common problem. Very easy solution. Sometimes the phillips heads on the distributor cap are hollowed out…you would then need an 8 mm socket to loosen the little bolts that hold the cap on the distributor body. These ignitors fail so often that I keep 3 on hand at ALL times. Pretty simple…if you hear the fuel pump and have dash lights…it is NOT the PGM-FI Relay… it WILL BE the ignitor. Your failure mode description perfectly describes the Ignitor failure mode.
After you replace the ignitor…and it runs… let us know how easy it was. I just looked and I repaired exactly 114 no Start Hondas using the Ignitor assy Alone… It takes less than 15 minutes when you know what you are doing. Take all the time you like…but I will put money on the ignitor.
Blackbird
scj
If I turn the key to the on position and I can shift the gear to Neutral it will start. I’ll put it back into park first.
If I turn the key to the on position and I’m unable to shift the gear into neutral it doesn’t start.
What is preventing you from being able to shift to Neutral?
Oops…I didnt read the shifting into neutral part. I never heard of this and cannot fathom any connection between the two issues being related. I think Im getting confused … I thought we had a Honda that was shutting down…and then only starting intermittently.
You’ll have to help me here because I see nothing that looks like a distributor on this engine. Three of the wires coming off the plugs go to one side and the back wires go to the other side. Looking at I can’t see a place where the six of them come together like you can easily see on most cars. I’ve looked at diagrams on line and can’t find one that helps either. Thanks.
Here’s the engine I have.
Thanks for the picture
You have the 3 liter V6 without a distributor
Blackbird may have been thinking of the 4 cylinder engine, which is more common than yours . . . ?
Replace the transmission range switch (neutral safety switch) and go from there.