Pulse & glide restart... or not
 

I have a problem with restarting my car after shutting it off. It's a 1992 Honda prelude Si 4ws (h23a1 DOHC non-vtec) 5 speed. Sometimes the car will start back perfectly - in fact it usually does. However, sometimes it will not start at all. I think it may be the main relay but this is the only time it give me problems. Is there anything else that may cause this problem? Again I have never had a problem starting the car under normal conditions (well just once a couple of weeks ago). The car will turn over but will not start. Bump starting doesn't work either, the car immediately dies. Before and after the situation the car runs perfectly. Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts, comments, or anything? Thanks.

always check the fundamentals because they are easy to check.

Are you getting spark? pull a plug wire and test it.

Does it fire with a splash of gas down its throat? fuel problem

does it have fuel pressure? (try pressing the relief valve)
suspect pump/relay/filter/etc

Are the injectors getting a signal (vom/duty cycle)

If it has spark it is usually a fuel thing. In fact I usually start with the spash of gas (or starting fluid if handy) just because it can be easier. If manually adding some fuel doesn't get a response then I confirm no spark by pulling a plug.

My guess is the fuel pump. What's the tank level when this happens? Mine sometimes stumbles for a few seconds when the tank is really low - warning light showing. I've heard the same from others as well. It doesn't seem to pick up the fuel very well when it's low.

I don't believe it is the fuel pump or the spark plugs or low fuel. None of that is confirmed but just doesn't feel like that type of problem. I don't think it is low fuel b/c I usually fill up every week and I hardly ever allow it to get under a 1/4 tank. Spark plugs are good b/c I checked and replaced them a few months ago but there is never a miss when it's running. I think it is something with the fuel, I just don't know what. It turns over but just won't start. I can't hear the main relay click but I haven't been intently listening but I will do that to check it. What were you talking about the relief valve? I may try that next time I have a problem. Thanks for the help.

most? fuel injection systems have a shrader valve for pressure relief. You can hook up a gauge, or just press the little button in a pinch and guesstimate the pressure (and make a tiny gas mess).

when was your last fuel pump? I only get roughly 100k out of them usually.

;) It's a Honda. Mine has 184,000 miles and has been like this since I bought it 10 years ago.

I bought the car a year ago. It had ~150k when I got it and now has ~164k. this is the only problem I have had out of the car and it's not a major issue but it could be standing between me and 35+mpg. I want to get this fixed before I consider putting in a injector kill switch.

[ Spark plugs are good b/c I checked and replaced them a few months ago but there is never a miss when it's running. )

Spark plugs are good but what about the wires? With these high intensity ignition systems a spark plug wire can have a full inch of burnt wire yet jump that gap with alacrity.

My Ford Focus experienced this...I was stunned with the HUGE gap in two of the plug wires. But it ran...sometimes.

Is there a way to check plug wires? I don't think it is them but it never hurts to check.

Wait until it's dark and take a spray bottle (like a windex bottle) with some water in it and spray if over the plug wires while the engine is idling. If you see sparks jumping or the engine starts to miss, wires should be replaced.

regards
Mech