I have a 2000 accord and a week ago I was driving and all the lights came on in the dash for a few seconds. I went to the dealer, and by that time they were off, and they said they couldnt see what the problem was bc the lights were no longer on.

On monday I was driving to work and my radio went off first, then the xm receiver, then lights started coming on the dash, followed by all the gauges going to 0 while im going 60. I eventually lost power steering and the car died. So I had it towed in, and caught a ride to work.

They call me at work, say they jumped it and its working fine now. They said they didnt want to change the alternator bc they didnt know for sure that was the cause. They told me they would drive it and see if the lights come back on to tell. So I pick it up monday night, right at closing, drive this fucker 1-2 miles before it starts powering down..i coast the thing into the dealer and they check it with some handheld and say its the alternator. Which they replaced on tues.

HOWEVER, today I got into the car and all the lights stayed on for a couple seconds just like it did the week before. Im worried that I will be getting towed again on monday, and it cant be the alternator this time. Any suggestions from you car buffs?

8/7/2010 10:59:45 PM

Battery cables and ignition/ecu/fuel pump relays (as equipped) are good places to start checking. Your alternator may not have been charging as well as it should, but doesn't sound like was ever the root cause of this particular problem...

8/8/2010 1:58:39 AM

.I dont know much about cars but are these relays an electronic chip or an actual problem with the fuel pump? The engine was working fine until the rest of the car lost power.

btw, thanks for the response.

[Edited on August 8, 2010 at 9:14 AM. Reason : .]

8/8/2010 9:14:27 AM

Ignition switch? http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2353017

8/8/2010 9:16:05 AM

Thanks, I think Ill look at replacing the ignition switch and battery cables. That sounds like it could be done pretty cheap.

The car isnt worth much anymore, but I love it. I guess I have to draw the line on how much I want to spend on her.

8/8/2010 11:28:51 AM

Seriously a 2000 accord is a great car, definitely look into the ignition switch and replace it if there is any question and keep driving it.

8/8/2010 12:17:55 PM

Don't start by replacing parts, do some diagnosis. Particularly in the case of the battery cables, though they may be cheap/easy to replace, it'd be even cheaper and easier to check their condition and maybe clean the contacts, etc.

Good luck and keep us updated.

8/8/2010 2:24:16 PM

Had this happen on I40 near Greensboro a few years ago on my 95 accord. Thought it was the alternator so I replaced it, but it turns out it was ignition switch. The switch would not stay in the on position. Get it replaced ASAP.

8/8/2010 3:29:17 PM

Didn't those cars have a master ECU relay issue that bugged up when it was hot? I think i changed that on my old gf's '99 Accord.

8/8/2010 4:21:44 PM

Ahmet, they said they couldnt tell me what the problem was unless one of the lights on the dash was on, is that correct or is there a way to test the cables or the switch?

Guys I really appreciate the info. Thank you all.

8/8/2010 5:09:52 PM

^^I know early to mid 90s Hondas/Acuras had issue with the fuel pump relay not working when the interior of the car got really hot. I had to replace mine to remedy the issue. I haven't heard of the same problem occuring with anything ECU related though.

^good luck finding the problem.

[Edited on August 9, 2010 at 8:44 AM. Reason : pump]

8/9/2010 8:43:48 AM

you can try putting a heat gun in the vicinity of the ignition switch and see if that replicates the problem, provided that you don't damage anything in the process

8/9/2010 8:50:51 AM

So yesterday after work the lights were on for about 30 seconds when I first started the car. Brake light, SRS, battery and all the doors and trunk lights. Drove fine.

I get home, change cloths and start up the car to leave the house again and the lights come on again, go off by the end of the driveway. But now the car seems to shift into neutral and then lurch when the gears catch again. So its back in the honda shop, which I have little confidence in.

I mentioned the ignition switch or battery leads and he said that it couldnt be that bc the car didnt lose power all at once. I dunno. Im just frustrated.

[Edited on August 10, 2010 at 9:18 AM. Reason : .]

8/10/2010 9:17:16 AM

Just called the service guy and he said they found a loose connection and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Do you think I wasted my money on the new alternator?

8/10/2010 2:04:06 PM

Just called the service guy and he said they found a loose connection and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Do you think I wasted my money on the new alternator?

8/10/2010 2:04:06 PM

Just called the service guy and he said they found a loose connection and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Do you think I wasted my money on the new alternator?

8/10/2010 2:04:51 PM

geez, sorry about that.

8/10/2010 3:35:18 PM

My GUESS is that the previous work was indeed unnecessary, but that sort of thing happens, and it can be rather difficult to diagnose intermittent problems...

8/12/2010 12:02:27 AM