Not starting

VAG22

MEMBER
2003 HONDA ACCORD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

This is our daughter's car. She had problems with it starting 2 months ago, replaced alternator and battery as those were bad. A week ago car wouldn't start. My husband did the fuel pump trick, turning key forward and back. Car would start after several attempts. He replaced the fuel pump. But now her gas gauge doesn't seem to be working properly, the car lags while driving, and it's having starting problems again after a few days on the new fuel pump. Just would like to know what the issues could be?

9 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

We need to start where this sounds like the issue is and that is with the fuel pump. Two reasons, new parts are not always good parts, and the fact that you have an issue with the fuel gauge that wasn't there before. The level sensor is in the tank on the pump so I suspect we have a faulty new pump. Here are some guides that will help with figuring this out:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

If this shows low pressure when this is happening again, then we will most likely need to replace the pump again.

I attached the process from the manual below on how to replace this in the event you or someone else viewing this page needs it.

Let us know what you find. Thanks

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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 1:52 PM

VAG22

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you for your response. Very helpful. We suspected the new pump could be faulty. My husband will check this out and I will update after.

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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 3:58 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Just to add my two cents. When performing the fuel pressure test on your car the fuel pressure specifications are to be 55-63 PSI. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:03 PM

VAG22

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, so after a few weeks, the car got worse, and would have problems starting more frequently. Then one day I took it to store and it simply wouldn't start. Went back hours later to try again, still nothing. Had it towed to a mechanic shop. The mechanic said the next day he had no problems with it starting. He had the car for 2 days, and it would start every time he tried. But since he had no issues, he really didn't test anything. He did think it was a bad fuel pump as the pump sounded like it had gravel running through. Instead of him repairing it, we thought we would save on labor. Bought a new pump from auto parts store instead of online like last time. Put the new pump in yesterday afternoon. Last night when my daughter went to leave from work, it wouldn't start again. It did eventually start.

Just not sure what this could be? Besides starting issues, car will have a fishy type smell right away upon starting, after trying to start it, and it also bogs while driving. I read could be a computer issue.

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Sunday, January 17th, 2021 AT 6:03 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It could be a computer but we need fix the not starting issue and then tackle the bogging issue on a new post because I doubt they are related but if they are, if we solve the starting issue then that is great.

When this does not start, does the engine just crank and not fire? If so, next time it does it, spray some starter fluid in the intake and see if it starts for a couple seconds. If it does then this is a fuel issue. It may not be a pump at this point but we will need to check the pressure at that point.

If it still does not start then we can move onto a spark issue. However, this just seems like a fuel issue.

It may be over fueling as well so if this does not start on starter fluid, hold the accelerator to the floor and see if it starts. This is called a clear flood so it should cut the injectors and allow it to start on the fuel that is in the engine. It may take a few more times cranking it to get it to start.

If it still does not start, pull the plugs and make sure they are not fouled. Here is a guide below that shows what plugs look like when they fail.

Let us know all this info and we can go from there. Thanks

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