Sometimes when I step on the accelerator, the ABS light comes on, my radio shuts off, there's a clicking under my glove box, and my speedometer drops to zero - for around 2-3 seconds. It did this on and off, but I still took it to a shop to have them look at it, although it hadn't acted up in a couple days. It didn't do anything for them, so they said they didn't know what was wrong.

Went to go out to dinner last night, car wouldn't even crank on! No lights, no radio, not even the light around the keep hole. The door light is a dim, orange, kinda like a dying flashlight color. Tried to jump it, wouldn't work, had to have it TOWED to a shop. It started right up for them. So basically now I hate this cursed car and have no idea what the hell is wrong. All I know is that I need a freakin' car, and one that actually works for a change.

What do you suggest?

 

Do you hear a high pitched whining sound at all? Blown out any headlights? Sounds like the alternator is Mine was doing wierd shit, blew out headlights, whined, lights dimmed, speedo revved, etc. Changed the alt and good to go.

 

Nope, no strange sounds - outside of the clicking under the glovebox. They're keeping my car overnight, but I think you're right about the alternator.

 

Unlikely to be the alternator. All alt does is charge battery. It does not cause ignition to fail. If battery is not charged, the car will eventually fail to start.

Keyswitch weak/burnt contacts are most likely reason for your problem.

good luck

 

But there isn't any charge getting to the battery, right? I couldn't jump it and that battery is at the most 6mos old.

 

It's likely a keyswitch issue, or loose connections to the battery (probably checked by shop). Since the car started for the shop, it's not the battery.

Do you have a heavy load on the keychain? This has been implicated in failed keyswitch assy. Unless you're DIY, you should try to get either Honda service center or a Honda-qualified shop. Search yellow pages.

good luck

 

I have the car key and the house key on 1 keychain; I know that it can be pulled down, so I have I think 4 keychains in all.

Called the shop today and they said it started just fine for them again today; I'm driving my mom's Accord sedan to school and to work now until my car's back. I'm not sure what the problem is, neither are they. We're just "hoping" it won't start for them sooner rather than later.

 

I've currently got a similar problem. Have you learned any more about yours?

My 98' 3.0 CL problem started Sunday when I was driving and turned on the headlights which caused the tach and speedodometer to both drop to 0 and the radio went off. A mile or two later I struggled to accelerate from a stop light and it wouldn't shift out of first gear.

Took it to a reliable Acura shop and they replaced the battery (which I knew was on its last legs) and the positive bettery lead.

Car drove fine on the way home including several errands, but this morning after driving 5 miles or so the tach/speedodometer went to 0 when I stopped at a red light. It struggled again to accelerat from the light and would not shift out of first. I called AAA for a tow and 15 minutes later it started and drive about a half a mile to a safer place to wait for AAA.

Its back at the same shop, but these symptoms are strange! Anyone have any ideas???

 

awwww man there isnt a straight answer in this thread. rats..i really thought it was the alternator.

so this has been happening to me a lot but it ONLY started happening after i got my pioneer avic d3. now i know that cant be it unless they wired something wrong but i doubt it. so i thought it was the alternator cause i figured the battery by itself is only used to start the car but then all the electrical stuff is ran through the battery while the alternator charges it right? and if the alternator dies then everything runs on the battery till it dies then everything else dies with it (wow that was a mouth full)..

so a few times yesterday and a few times other days ill be on the freeway (scary i know) and it will just shut off completely. my car i mean.. and then maybe a few yards down the power will come back on again. im talking EVERYTHING shuts off. no lights no nothing. and then this morning i was driving and i was at a stop sign and my car completely died again. like it wouldnt start, it wouldnt click, etc. i just replaced the battery not too long ago.

im getting kinda nervous cause i drive this car EVERYDAY and im hoping its just the alternator cause that isnt too expensive.