91 accord not wanting to start

what could be the cause of my car not starting unless i am pushing on
the gas pedal as i turn the key? the main relay was replaced back in
june, the fuel filter last fall, and the fuel pump about 2 yrs ago.
if i don't push on the gas, it makes the same sound as when the main
relay was bad (getting spark, but just not turning over). any ideas
on what it could be?

thanks for any help!

 

Open the oil cap, is the rocker arm moving? (T-belt.)

 

--------------------------------------
Mindy,
If one injector isn't sealing correctly, the fuel pressure will leak
down into that cylinder and 'flood' the engine (my guess) with vapors
overnight. Holding the throttle open will allow fresh air to 'dilute'
the strong mix and the engine starts properly. Try running some injector
cleaner thru the gas. Search this group for numerous opinions about
cleaner brands.
'Curly'
------------------------------------

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
you should not play any notes you have left over. -

 

Correction: After my reading 7x. I understand that you can start only
if gas is depressed. If not depress it won't turn over. My guess is
air boost valve. The service manual says this aids in starting by
providing more air.

 

just to give a little more info...

after i finally get it started, it runs fine with no hesitation or
anything. it is only starting it that i have trouble. i push the gas
pedal and if i let up too soon it will sputter and die. i can't let
off the gas until the engine revs up. as i am pushing the gas, the
car shakes and sputters quite a bit sometimes (eps. if it has only
been a few minutes since i turned it off). It seems to start a little
easier after it has been sitting over night. does this change any
opinions/ideas?

 

When you parked the car the previous time you drove it, was the engine hot?
It's common to have those symptoms if you, for example, just start the car
from cold to move it in your driveway and turn it off without the engine
getting warmed up. This is because fuel puddles in the inlet manifold from
running on choke and the next time you try to start, you get a "flooding"
condition.

If the above does not apply to you then, as already suggested, you likely
have a leaky injector. Try the fuel injector cleaner.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

i drove it a few miles down the road to wal-mart. about 3-4 miles, at
least 45 mph all the way, and of course, a few red lights in between,
so i think it should have gotten warmed up. i was in the store for
about 30 min. it was just harder to start that time than it is first
thing in the morning or after it has been in the parking lot all day.
i will go with the fuel injector cleaner and see how that works!!


thanks to everyone for all their help!!!!

 

Not very common on your style accord, but on the 1986-1989 accords, the
coolant temp sensor would go bad making the car very hard to start (or I
should say re-start) when hot.

 

If you're right then if he disconnect the TW (coolant) sensor, it
should start right up hot or cold (with no gas depressing). It's a
cheap trick and won't kill his ecm.

 

If you're right then if he disconnect the TW (coolant) sensor, it
should start right up hot or cold (with no gas depressing). It's a
cheap trick and won't kill his ecm.

 

See the article in the Miscellanea section of my site in sig.

HTH