1990 Honda Accord turns over and starts for less than a second, then dies?

Question

I have a 1990 Honda Accord EX Manual.  The car turns over and starts but then dies within a second.  I replaced the cap, rotor, wires and plugs with limited success.  I was actually able to get it started and it idles for 5 minutes and ran up the street for about 100 yards, then it died again and would not start.  I'm thinking it's a fuel issue but do fuel pumps work "sometimes"?  Any other ideas?  I'm too cheap to pay a mechanic...

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

If the alternator isn't keeping the battery charged or constant power you can check this with multimeter and it should read 12volts at battery and 14 while it running.

Matt · Answer

okay depending on the type of engine, you may have a carborator problem ( meaning its clogged with dirt or something of that nature) or a fuel injector problem. think honda's all come fuel injected from 1985-present. to help this problem you can spray carb spray or "fuel injector cleaner" ,same thing, or put an in jector cleaner in side your gas tank. also check to make a positive note that you got unleaded gas not disel or something else, also make sure that the gas has not been watered down as places will do this to save money, illegal but no one ever reports it. if all of this has been done then send me an e-mail if it still wont saty started. and give me alot of details and i bet i can figure this out for you real soon.

M&amp;G · Answer

This happened to my 98 GT Sunfire. I think it means it flooded. Wierd. Anyways, when I left my car alone for a while and borrowed another car it was fine in a few hours. Does yours do this constantly?
Goodluck :)

Jake · Answer

check your fuel filter it may be dirty or your fuel pump may be shot

1990 Honda Accord turns over and starts for less than a second, then dies?

4 Answers