When you first get in the car and turn the key to on then to start it cranks for a while and no joy, stop turn key off then retry and it starts right up. runs fine, idles fine, no other problems...

After that if you stop somewhere and restart even after 2-3 hours it starts right up first time.

I tried leaving the key on for a bit thinking it was a fuel pump issue, still no go.

Got the same problem with my 2 92 Accords. Especially when it's cold. I believe it's the fuel. Sometimes I turn the key on for 3 seconds, hearing the fuel pump comes on and goes off, then turn the key off, then on. Doing this 2 or 3 times then start the engine, and it seems help. I don't know the real cause of this, still trying to figure out.

What I think the probable cuase is, the fuel injector (or maybe some other parts or connections) can't seal very well when off, so the air leaks into the fuel system overnight and fuel flows back to the tank. So, the fuel delivery pipe is filled with air now and unable to supply fuel in time to fire the engine. If you let the fuel pump run 2 more times, it may help purge the air.

But this probably won't explain why it will start right up the second time even without doing this.

Borrow a fuel pressure guage and see what kind of pressure the rail has on first start would be the first step...could be several things.

sounds like to me, if you have air leaking into the system somewhere. You should be able to find it by smelling for gas. Because these systems are under pressure when running, and still should have pressure on it while shut off. if there is a hole. it's gunna leak some where.
Or it could be a bad check valve letting the pressure drain back into the tank while off. There are several factors to contend with.

sounds like to me, if you have air leaking into the system somewhere. You should be able to find it by smelling for gas. Because these systems are under pressure when running, and still should have pressure on it while shut off. if there is a hole. it's gunna leak some where.
Or it could be a bad check valve letting the pressure drain back into the tank while off. There are several factors to contend with.

I would go with the check valve. Although I never heard of this, but I feel this is the most reasonable one. Since the system is under pressure, so the fuel will leak out before the air can get in. But I never smell any gas. So, internal leaking is the most possible one.

Do you know where is this check valve?

The fuel pressure regulator is on the left side of the car on the fuel supply rail. It has a hose leaving the regulator and heads toward the drivers side firewall. If I were you, I would do some testing before I place blame on the regulator. When the car won't start, do you have spark. Sometimes coils and igniters will cause the same problem you are experiencing. If you have spark, then a pressure guage on the fuel rail will tell you if you have proper pressure for the injectors.

I would go with the check valve. Although I never heard of this, but I feel this is the most reasonable one. Since the system is under pressure, so the fuel will leak out before the air can get in. But I never smell any gas. So, internal leaking is the most possible one.

Do you know where is this check valve?I am thinking that the fuel pump itself has the check valve. I am not 100% sure on that, but the most logical place to have one. Some times the fuel filters have built in check valves. My guess would to read a manual or go ask a tech at the Honda dealer.

If it were discharging fuel pressure into the motor through leaky injectors you'd still smell it (through the intake), and have flooding-type issues when trying to start cold (crank a long time, then run rough and need to clear out, with exhaust soot)

If the reg is bleeding off pressure, it just goes back to the tank through the return line....this sounds most logical from the description...i'd still verify with a pressure reading...you can rent a FP guage from Autozone, they give you the rental cost back when you return it (free rental, in other words)

I still don't like that it won't start even if you let it sit and prime for a few seconds...even if completely discharged, the pump should pressurize the rail in less than 5 seconds....

Areading is the only way to not be guessing here...might even be a bad relay or something...

I don't remember seeing FP gauge as a loaner tool in AutoZone.

After I looked at the tech data of the fuel pressure regulator, I believe it's also possible the seal is leaking so the fule sip back to the tank overnight. But, still, can't explain why the engine won't start the first time, but always good after that.

Suggestions are good. But I am now more interested to know if anyone actually fixed this problem.

Can you hear the pump when you turn the key on (while the car is failing)? I had a problem with a 92, main feed to the fuel pump relay (from the fuse box) was intermittent. All fuel rails will leak down overnight- check valve problems usually manifest themselves as a hot start problem- the lack of pressure causing the fuel to vaporize in the rail (called vapor lock many decades ago).

Have not got a pressure Guage yet... Been busy replacing rear shocks on it and the sons RAV4.

I do hear the pump start for a sec or so then nothing.
I was going through the service manual and found this:

Other Control Functions

1. Starting Control
When the engine is started, the ECM provides a rich mixture by increasing fuel injector duration.

2. Fuel Pump control
When the Ignition switch is initially turned on, the ECM supplies ground to the PGM-FI main relay that supplies current to the fuel pump for 2 seconds.


When the engine is running, the ECM supplies ground to the PGM-FI main relay that supplies current to the fuel pump.


When the engine is not running and the ignition is on, the ECM cuts ground to the PGM-FI main relay which cuts current to the fuel pump.

So from this I'm thinking either the Fuel pump relay might be sticking and then on the second turn it kicks in, or the check valve is leaking back and it's taking more than the 2 seconds to re-pressurize. Once I get a guage on it, should show itself...

Where is the PGM-FI relay located ?

On my 92, tucked high up behind the dash, to the left of the steering column.