Mike Romain > wrote in message >...
> You are describing a loose or dirty main battery cable, likely the
> ground.
>
> Opening the door or turning on a light can get a draw started so the
> high draw from the starter can arc across and catch maybe. This won't
> likely last long before it just plain quits.
>
> Lots of times if you try to start them with the hood open, then get out
> and feel the battery cable ends after trying to start it, you will find
> one of them hot. This will be a bad connection. Warning! They 'can'
> get hot enough from the arcing to burn you.
>
> I would be paying close attention to the body ground strap. Either the
> one from the battery or the one from the engine to the body.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> Rob wrote:
> >
> > I just purchased a 91 Honda Accord and am having a strange
> > intermittent problem starting. While the main relay seems to be an
> > obvious culprit, the car not only has the problem while hot and cold,
> > it loses all power and you can't attempt to start until opening the
> > door. When the problem doesn't occur the car starts perfectly.
> >
> > The Problem:
> >
> > When attempting to start the car the first turn of the key lights the
> > ignition lights and the stereo goes on, then when you make the final
> > turn of the keys you hear a click, all power goes out and nothing else
> > happens. Turning the ignition to off and back on a second time does
> > absolutely nothing and there is no power whatsoever inside the car.
> >
> > The only way to attempt to start the car is to open the car door where
> > it seems to reset something and then it allows for a try at ignition.
> >
> > There is no alarm on the car so I don't believe it to be a ignition
> > kill issue. The battery seems to be working fine except for this
> > periodic issue. The only recent work to the car has been the
> > installation of a new car stereo. The previous owners (who are friends
> > of mine and will assist in anyway possible) have never had this
> > problem but haven't driven the car much at all since having the stereo
> > installed at Circuit City.
> >
> > I have not ruled out the Main Relay but I've never read any postings
> > that involve having to open and close the door to reset the system.
> >
> > ANY and ALL help is greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Rob



Thanks for Everyone's responses, I'll check the battery out tonight
and let you know! Thanks again!

Rob