1995 Honda Accord EX

Hey there, I have a 1995 Honda Accord EX that we are working on right now and it has a problem of running for a short period of time and then dying,n we have since replace the fuel pump, fuel pump relay, the complete distributor brand new, the onboard computer, the ignition switch and then the final thing was the map sensor, we have also gone through and removed every ground that we have found on the car and also on the engine and cleaned all of them and put them back together with Dielectric grease on them and still we have not been able to find the problem, so far it is getting very frustrating that we have not been able to find anything that has caused or is causing this problem , I wanted to see if you have any input in regards to this issue?.

Luckily with the parts store that I use on a regular basis we have been able to return most of the components , this being the onboard computer, the distributor, the map sensor and the ignition switch, where we replaced those components and had no effect on the car when it was dead , so my parts guy was able to and kind enough take them back as I do purchase quite a few parts from them.

Thanks,
Rory Derrick

First step would be to establish if you are losing spark, fuel injectors or fuel pressure.

Next time it happens you need to do some quick checks, you can introduce some propane into the intake to see if the engine tries to start.

(1) If it tries to start you are looking at a fueling problem. You can check for the injectors firing using a test light or "Noid" light. If the test light or Noid light is pulsing when you crank the starter then check the fuel pump is running and delivering pressure.

(2) If the engine dosen't even try to start with propane check for a spark at the spark plug wires. If no spark you should carry out test (1) as it is possibleyou have both no spark and no fuel.

The circuits that supply the fuel system and ignition on these engines take a large current I would also examine the terminnals on the sockets for the main relay and the fuse that supplies it for any sign of arcing or overheating.

Hello there Andy, thank you for replying to me, yes I do get spark to the spark plugs, that was one of the first things I checked, then also I get power to the injectors but no pulse from the computer on the ground side of them and also the fuel pump never fires off when it is in the no run situation, just to give you an idea of all the different things that I have done on it, I have replaced the fuel pump the fuel pump relay which is I guess is the main relay as well, then we replace the distributor the onboard computer and ignition switch and none of those items changed the no start of it, then we also replace the map sensor cuz I was getting weird reading out of it and I figured that might have been it and still no change with that component, if you can or I should say anyone can try to get in touch with me in regards to this, please call me on my cell phone number at 949-697-9650.
Thank you,
Rory Derrick

Rory, you mentioned that when it stalls, there's spark, good 12v feed to injectors but no injection pulse from ECM driver. You also said fuel pump fails to momentarily energize with the key on, engine off. The PGM-FI main relay plays a big role in those circuits. I understand that you've already replaced it with no luck. Have you done a thorough visual inspection of the wiring harness terminals for the PGM-FI main relay (burn marks, melted plastic, green corrosion)? You can also try a quick/dirty and tap on the relay to see if vehicle stalls or starts (bad connection/corrosion issue). If that doesn't work, look for damage on the wiring of that circuit. If that doesn't pan out, you'll need a wiring diagram of the PGM-FI main relay circuit to do voltage checks. Might have to capture voltages when vehicle stalls. Preferably with a scope. There's also an Injector Resistor between the main relay and the 12v feed circuit of the injectors. I'm unfamiliar with that component but Honda says it's a current-limiting component to prevent damage to injectors. Not sure how the ECM would handle a faulty Injector Resistor. Could cause a no-start according to Honda, but I also think the car would be running rough or set misfire DTCs. The PGM-FI relay actually has two internal relay circuits. 94-97 Honda Accord service manual says with ignition on, it supplies 12v to the ECM, 12v to injectors, and power to the second relay. Second relay circuit is then energized for 2 seconds (and also when the engine is running) to provide power to the fuel pump. The starter 12v ignition feed during cranking is also monitored by ECM and it goes through the main relay (called the Starter Signal Switch). It's not an actual switch, it's a 12v signal. If you have a high-end Autel or Snap on scan tool, you'll find the PID there. Next time the vehicle stalls, monitor the Starter Signal PID. I've used a Honda OBD1 adapter with Solus Pro and got decent PIDs, including the Starter Signal PID. It should indicate ON during cranking. If it fails to indicate as ON during crank, combined with no injection pulse/no 2-second fuel pump prime symptoms, then that would make the PGM-FI main relay circuit highly suspect. Hope this helps.