What are the reasons why an Accord won't start?
3 Answers
Here are the reasons why an Accord won't start: 1. There is a fault in the engine starting system. If the starter is weak or the starting voltage and speed are too low, it may cause the car not to start. It could also be an electrical or electronic fault. Electronic faults mainly refer to the failure of the central computer control board. 2. It may be a fuel system fault. Insufficient fuel pump pressure, pressure regulator leakage, clogged fuel filter and injectors, or injector dripping can all cause difficulty in starting or failure to start. 3. Mechanical faults. Common mechanical faults include: timing belt (chain) breakage, cylinder leakage without pressure, etc. If the spark plug electrodes are eroded, the gap is too large, or there is carbon buildup, it will affect the engine's starting performance, causing difficulty or inability to start. 4. Insufficient battery starting voltage. Check the battery by using a voltmeter to test the positive and negative terminals while turning the key to start the ignition. If the voltage suddenly drops below 8 volts at the moment of power-on, it indicates a problem with the battery.
I just had this happen last week! My Accord stalled while dropping the kids off at school. The most common culprit is the battery, especially older ones that have been in use for three to five years. When the voltage is low, the starter motor struggles to turn over, and the dashboard lights flicker erratically. Also, don’t underestimate wear and tear on the ignition switch—my neighbor’s car wouldn’t start, and upon inspection, the copper contacts inside were completely worn down. A failing fuel pump is another serious issue; if you don’t hear the humming sound from under the rear seats when starting the engine, be wary. And don’t overlook the immobilizer chip in the key—poor contact can lock out the system. My lesson learned: never hang the spare key on a metal keychain. Sudden temperature drops are prime times for trouble, so it’s wise to regularly test your battery’s health.
As a veteran Accord driver with 15 years of experience, failure to start generally falls into three scenarios: hearing the starter motor but no engine turnover usually indicates fuel supply issues—check the fuel filter and injectors; complete non-response primarily calls for battery terminal inspection—once my dashcam installation caused terminal oxidation and poor contact, solved by sandpaper cleaning; the most troublesome is starter motor free-spinning, signaling either seized starter gear or flywheel ring gear tooth damage. I recall post-storm starting failure caused by rodent-chewed engine wiring harness (two wires severed). Keeping an emergency power supply in the trunk is crucial—my voltage-detection model cost just over 200 yuan.
