Honda Accord 1999 Engine stalls while slowing down

Hi, I have had my 1999 Accord coupe EX stall twice within one week. It
stalls while I am slowing down to a stop. After the first time, I read
on the internet about a recall for the Ignition switch for 99 Accords.
Unfortunately when I called Honda Canada, it was determined that my VIN
did not fall into the recall. I have a 2 year old so I didn't want to
sit and do nothing. So I had the Honda dealer that I goto regularly
replace it at my cost. But after exactly one week, it happend again
while I was slowing down to a red light. Both times, some lights on my
dash board came on...the doors being opened, the engine, the oil lamp,
etc. I kept trying to restart but nothing...it turns but the car
wouldn't start. After about 8-10 min, I was able to start the car. I've
done some more reading and found one google honda group posting about
1999 Accords stalling. In that posting the people seem to have come to
the conclusion that it was the main relay switch. Anybody have any
hints at all as to the cause?

 

I would suspect the ignition coil first, especially if the
car runs fine as it's reaching normal engine operating
temperature. Then, when the engine is fully warmed up, the
stalling problems begin. Letting the car sit for awhile,
like you describe, so the ignition coil cools down, remedies
the problem, but only for the short-term.

Ignition coils do age and are a common cause of stalling,
ultimately failing completely at some point.

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#startrun
offers some insight on this, though it's geared towards
somewhat older Hondas than yours, IMO.

I don't think I've seen a car as new as yours ("new" being
relative) have main relay problems. Also, main relay
problems tend to occur not while driving, but after driving
a bit, then stopping at a store, for ten seconds, then
trying to start the car. It won't start.

 

wrote in

When this sort of thing happens on Toyota Camrys, the cause is often the
coolant temperature switch, which fools the IAC. No error code is set when
this happens.

You may want to explore that.

 

---------------------------

What's the mileage, is it HOT when it happens, when did you last use
injector cleaner, and is the coolant reservoir full enough?

The coil sounds like a good suspect . .



'Curly'

 

Thanks for the input. I'll mention it to my dealer when I bring it in
on Monday. My friend who is a bit of a car buff thinks that it might be
a vaccum issue, i.e. the Pressure Control Valve being clogged or
something to that effect (I'm no car buff as you can tell). He says
that when it clogs, the computer will shut down as safety precaution.
The PCV is only a few bucks, so he suggest to change it and see what
happens.

 

It's got 108,000 KM. I had an oil change in Jan...due for another one
soon. I have no idea what the injector cleaner is...isn't that
something my Honda dealer would do when I take it in for servicing?
I'll check the coolan reservoir after work. Thanks for your input.

 

I just googled injector cleaner and I feel like a dumb ass. I've never
used fuel injector cleaner but it wouldn't hurt. I'll pick some up at
the auto store when I pickup a PCV. Thanks for the input.

 

When I had the last tune-up--the mechanic at the Honda dealership did
use injector cleaner. However, most people only have a major tune-up
about every two years. It's possible for the injectors get clogged up
between tune-ups. That's the reason that I add a can of injector
cleaner to a full tank of gasoline about once every 4 months or
whenever the engine develops problems that might or might not be
related to having clogged injectors. If that does not solve the problem,
I look at other causes for the problem.
Jason

 

Thanks Jason. My friend told me to try the Injector Cleaner as well.
I'll pick some up tonight.

 

ARGGHHH!! My engine has stalled 3 times since the first 2. I changed
the PCV and put in some Injector Cleaner but still stalling. My dealer
has the car now but they say that until the problem pops up for them
there's not alot they can do right now bc. their main diagnostic guy is
away until next monday. So they've got the car for now but if they
can't duplicate the problem by driving it around, then I'll pick it up
tonight and bring it back next mon.

 

Just quick thought: Is your 1999 part of the ignition switch recall which
was instituted for a stalling problem?

 

That's a good point. It's possible that "fuel throttle bore" needs to be
cleaned. Also, there is a "service bulletin" related to the 1999 Accord
related to the "Hesitation During Acceleration"--service bulletin #99-064"
The Honda Service Manager at the local Honda dealership should be able
tell you more about it.
Jason

 

Vince, were you ever able to find out what was wrong with your car?
My husband has a 1999 Honda Accord that is doing the exact same
thing. He has replaced the spark plugs, had the ignition switch
replaced, changed the coil, replaced the spark plug wires, and
replaced a resister. He had a mechanic look at it that just works
on Hondas and he said it didn't quit on him and until it does, he
can't tell what's wrong.

It is still doing the same thing. It starts fine, but after you drive
it for a short time, it just quits! It is quitting more often and it's
taking longer to get it started again too. This is so maddening!
He is about ready to trade the thing in.

Someone told me today to replace the Main Master Relay Switch.
Does anyone know if that will help? Also where is it? We're getting
tired of putting money into it for nothing.

 

Hello,
Yes--it could be the Main Relay. In a 1999 Accord--it's located under the
knee bolster on the driver's side. If you want to see a picture of it,
visit this site:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainrelaylocation/4-remove%20_knee.bolster.jpg

I should note that the car in the picture is a 1991 Integra but the main
relay is located in that same location in a 1999 Accord.

 

Hi Nancy, I took a shot in the dark and had my dealer replace the Main
fuel relay switch and it's been stall free for 2 weeks now!!!! My
dealer here in Canada charged $50 Canadian for the part and another $50
Can to install. So far so good for now...got my fingers crossed.

 

Hi Digiti, no my VIN didn't fall under the recall but had my dealer
change that but the problem still existed. But now I've had the main
fuel relay switch changed and I've not stalled in over 2 weeks!!!