Periodically starts then cranks over and will not start

JESSEK1390

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CRV
2.0L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

Car listed above (EX model) cranks but will not start periodically. Drove car for an hour, stopped at store and tried to start, cranked over great but would not fire up, kept trying and finally the engine started to get sporadic fire and finally started. Got home shut off and started right up, shut car off and started several more times in a row and now will crank over but not fire up. I smell fuel so fuel pump is not the issue, replaced the fuel filter, and also got a new ignition coil. I have taken it to a mechanic and it would not throw a code and they could not get the Honda to do what I had described to them. I picked it up the following day and sure enough it started to mess up a day later. Pulling my hair out!

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi Jessek,
It was quite common for such symptoms to occur on Honda vehicles manufactured before year 2000 and the cause was the main relay, Honda named it PGM-FI main relay.

I would suggest checking this first.

The other thing you need to check is the ignition switch, another common failing part.
Slowly turn the ignition switch from locked to "on" position. The dash indicator lights should come on. Crank engine and if it does not start, note if dash indicator lights such as the charge indicator light remains lit.
If all indicator lights disappears while key is turned to starter cranking position, it means the ignition switch has lost contact to the ignition system even though the starter cranking circuit is working.
A faulty ignition switch would sometimes fire up the engine when key is released and not while you are cranking.

Worst case scenario is a faulty Engine Control Module. A capacitor within the ECM has failed (leaking).