1986 Honda Accord Random dying

140,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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HCHITTER
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  • 1 POST
my wife drives a 1986 Honda Accord. Recently she was driving and it just died. No sputtering, just quit. It would not start again for another 5 or 10 minutes, would act like it was going to turn over but then die. After 10 minutes, it started again and ran well, but then after not driving more than a mile or two, on her way home the same thing happened, and the same results. It is not running fine again. The mechanic checked the alternator, and a few other things, but didn't see anything too bad. There is a leak in a part of the carburetter, but the car just idled low, the mechanic changed the idle and it now idles well. Any suggestions. I would love to try to fix this myself, but need to find out what is wrong. Since it won't stay dead it is tough to trouble shoot and I do not want to have a mechanic out again just to pay him to tell me nothing.
Nov 3, 2010 at 11:43 AM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi hchitter@hotmail.com,

For a carburetted engine to stall without sputtering, the most likely cause would be electrical.

When engine stalled, did the dash indicator lights turn on immediately?
The next time engine stalled and could not be started, check if sparks are available. A failing ignition coil can cause such faults too.

If you need to know how to go about checking, click the " First Things To Check " link at bottom of post to get an idea.
Nov 4, 2010 at 2:13 AM
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