1996 Honda Accord car just dies

KJCARMACK

MEMBER
1996 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
118,000 MILES

I have a 1996 lx accord coupe 5speed manual. Last year it started to randomly die. I have replaced the relay which didn't seem to work, so then I replaced the ignition control module and that seemed to do the trick for over a year. Just recently it did the same thing again. Driving along and just "nothing". Dies quietly and without any sputtering or jerking. Just dead. This time around I've replaced the ignition switch. Seemed fine for a week, then back to same old same old. I've been told that perhaps I should have replaced the entire distributor assembly (which would have included an control module), or that perhaps it's the fuel pump. Any suggestion on which direction to take, or if I should replace both?

Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 4:51 PM

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

What I need to know here is what's missing fuel or spark if in doubt do below and get back with some testing results we start here

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

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Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 4:55 PM

KJCARMACK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for the quick reply. We checked all those things, and even rechecked some others. Distributor looked good, no grease inside. Fuel pump buzzed like it should, so ok there. Started to get frustrated so just looking around at random things. Found an aftermarket wire for an anti-theft device that I didn't install. The wire was soldered to others, but almost pinched in half at a different location and when we pulled on it, low and behold car just died exactly like it has been all along. Cut it out, soldered the necessary wires back together, yanked on them and the car kept running. Seems to have been a pesky wire all along. If anyone else is having these classic distributor/relay/ignition issues maybe check for attached aftermarket wiring as well. Saved myself several hundreds of dollars! Thanks everyone.

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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 AT 3:27 PM