'91 Honda Accord LX not starting

Hi, I have a 91 accord lx with about 165k miles on it. It's been
driving fine for the year I've had it, until this weekend. I drove it
for 100 miles in very cold weather and it was fine. Two mornings later,
I started the car to warm it up. Ten mins pass and I go outside,
vehicle is dead after having started fine. All the dash lights were on,
but when I turned the key, nothing. No clicks, no sounds of turning
over. We let it sit for a while, put some isopropyl into the gas tank
thinking maybe the fuel lines were frozen, but still nothing. All the
fuses have been checked, fluids, etc. We don't know what to do with it.
I have acess to people with some auto knowledge, but they can't figure
it out either. Alternator/battery both perfect. I wanted to see if
anyone on here might have an inkling as to what it could be. I'm trying
hard to get this taken care of without bringing it into a shop, because
of minimal funds. Thanks.

 

wrote in

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Turn on the dome light. Now turn the key to START. What happens to the dome
light?

 

Nothing happens to the dome light. It doesn't dim or anything....

 

Can you measure the battery voltage and report back?

What did you do to determine that the battery and alternator are perfect?

Check battery connections while out there. Clean with baking soda and water.
Make sure connecting bolts are snug.

Anything under 12 volts means the battery is drained, for one. What caused
it to drain is another matter.

Hondas generally don't need to sit more than a minute even in extreme cold.

 

Well, I can't check the voltage at the moment because the vehicle is in
the garage of my BF's house. However, the Battery is brand new, all the
connections clean and snug. I recently had my vehicle at my mechanic's
when I thought the alternator had gone. He tested the new one put in
there, so we know that's not the problem. He tested to make sure
nothing was draining the battery. It's just odd that this would happen
all of a sudden, when the vehicle was running perfectly before....

 

I hear you, but the symptoms sound too much like a dead battery. I'd get a
multimeter out there and check the voltage on it a.s.a.p. Clean and snug up
terminal connections, too. Or try a jumpstart.

Then of course more troubleshooting is needed, since you say the battery is
new.

Could you clarify: Is the alternator also new?

If not, then we may have something more to pursue...

 

We did try jump starting it, and that didn't work either. All the
lights work fine, so I think the battery is ok. The alternator isn't
brand new, but it was just tested....maybe 10 days ago as working
perfectly. Before, when my old battery would die on me, when trying to
start the car there would be at least some clicking noises. But now,
when I go to turn the key, the radio and dash lights all turn on, but
the engine doesn't make a sound....

 

The lights and radio working don't prove that the battery is putting out the
12+ volts needed to start the car, but since you tried a jumpstart, that
does suggest it's not the battery.

I'd be digging here next:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html#click-click1

Keep checking back. Plenty of regulars here with lots of experience.

 

ignition switch? main relay? igniter? im sure someone here would know

 

and the fact the lights didnt even dim when the key was turned, meaning
no draw.

 

Oh, I see your point.

 

If you have power at the starter solenoid when the key is turned to
the start position then the starter solenoid is bad (and of course no
power when not in the start position). If there is no power when in
the start position then most likely the ignition switch is bad.

 

Thank you every one for your replies. Today we are going to try
replacing the ignition switch and go from there. Hopefully that'll get
it started.

 

The original failure is interesting enough. Car goes from running to
quit, and unresponsive to subsequent start attempts.

It's not your alternator (you've checked battery state of charge with
your light test), and battery connections have also been ruled out I
think. Also, it's not the main relay because failure mode there would
not preempt cranking, nor would a bad coil or igniter.

I would guess at the ignition switch itself (as you have). Since you're
replacing that, I think you'll be all set. But, if not, as nomorergs
mentioned, power to the start solenoid is the path to pursue, eventually
working your way back to the ignition switch. Again, this wouldn't cause
the car to quit though.

You should post back with what you figure out. Good luck,
Arthur