Car will not start when parked on an incline?

Tiny
TIM BERG
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 113,000 MILES
My car runs great but sometimes when I park the car at a slight incline, the car will not start. When it does have the problem, if I leave the car for one day and come back, it starts right up. When it is having the problem, the key will turn over, lights will be on, and the car will not even try to start.

Additionally, when it is acting up, I can start the car with jumper cables.

Oddly enough, this problem has never happened on a flat surface, only occasionally when the car is parked at a slight upward angle.

I have replaced the slave cylinder and neutral safety switch with no luck. I have also brought the car into a mechanic, but they could not diagnose the problem because they could not duplicate it.

I appreciate any help as this has been puzzling me for almost a year now and was wondering if anyone has ran across this problem before or knows the solution.

Thanks, Tim
Monday, August 7th, 2017 AT 6:28 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen this problem before and a new fuel pump fixed it. Here is a guide that will help you get an idea on what you are in for when doing the job and some diagrams (Below) of what it will be like on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

you will need to jack the car up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 10th, 2017 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
TIM BERG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken, I will try this out and let you guys know. Thank you for your help.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2017 AT 11:16 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, August 12th, 2017 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
TIM BERG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken, I replaced the fuel pump and the car is still having problems starting periodically both on an incline and parked on a level surface. Do you have any other suggestions on what it could be?
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Friday, June 8th, 2018 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Sorry, when you say not start you mean the engine will not crank over or the engine is cranking over and will not start?
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Friday, June 8th, 2018 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
TIM BERG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The engine will not crank over.
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Sunday, June 10th, 2018 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Sorry, I misunderstood. This should be a starter issue but to be sure use a test light to check the trigger wire at the starter when the engine is being cranked over if it lights up the starter is bad. Here are two guides so you can see what I am talking about.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

and look toward the bottom of the guide.

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

Here is the starter location (below) Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, June 11th, 2018 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
TIM BERG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken,

The problem ended up being a loose battery connection.

Thank you for your help.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,072 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 AT 11:53 AM

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