Honda Accord-engine cuts out with no warning

I have a 99 1.8 vtec accord which has done 101,000 miles,on 3 occasions
now it the engine has died without warning.On each occasion the car has
restarted without any problem and has run normally for 2 or 3 weeks.The
first 2 times it was annoying the3rd time it happened on the motorway
and was dangerous.Help?

 

Definitely sounds like the ignition switch. There was a massive recall
for that not long ago. Don't know if UK cars were part of the recall, but
that's most likely what the problem is.

 

Been there--my problem turned out to be the in- tank fuel pump. Inlet
screen was very clogged and occasionally restricted fuel flow to the point
the engine would die (no restart problems)
MLD

 

Thanks a lot,was the failure instant no warning whatsoever?

 

Battery cables are not tight.

 

Battery connections OK,radio fan etc. still continue working

 

Ah, then you're right--if it's just the engine and not everything, then
it's not the battery connections.

 

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Use google.com to search 'honda ignition switch recall' It happens
suddenly, no warning. It doesn't start to sputter or anything. Just
dead, wherever you happen to be driving. Restarts fine. VERY DANGEROUS.
Fuel filter will start to choke while passing or climbing hill and give
you warning.

'Curly'

 

It could be the ignition coil. They can be intermittent and cut out
suddenly. Cool down, open circuit closes, presto, they work again.

 

Yes--The engine would start to cut out without any warning. Nerve wracking
when in the passing lane with an 18 wheeler right on your tail.
MLD

 

Assuming your Accord has a tachometer, a lot of info depends on the tach's
behavior. If it drops like a stone when the engine cuts out, the ignition is
dying. The top suspect is the ignitor, although there are other suspects. If
the tach takes a second or two to fall, the ignition is still doing
*something* and the suspicion turns to the fuel delivery (like the main
relay). It is possible to have good signal to the tach and no juice to the
coil, though, so the chance taking the wrong direction on that is there.

Mike

 

Wouldn't a bad main relay be evident only when attempting to start the car?

 

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I'd say 99% yes, since the vibration of the vehicle is what keeps the
flaky solder joints 'sparkin'. That's why the owner shuts it off, buys
cigarettes, and it won't start unless he smacks the dash.

Another thought: When the bad ignition switch on our '97 CR-V
manifested, I was on the highway going 100Km / hr when the cruise
suddenly disengaged itself . . . We'd only had the car a while so I
reset it and kept going. Three minutes later the tach (and speedo, I
think) dropped to Zero, and the engine died. Car restarted after a quick
look under the hood with a flashlight. Next manifestation happened in
city traffic, while trying to get out of an intersection.

'Curly'

 

Good point - yes, the main relay (and fuel pump relays in other cars, like
my old Volvo) usually show up bad while trying to start the car. I don't
know why.

Mike