LiveIt_NOW

My 99 Honda Accord wouldn't kick over, we had an ideal that is was something to do with the fuel not getting to the engine. After two week of running, when a mechanic "fixed" the problem, which he said it was torn wires for fuel line, it quit on me again. Last night I took out the main relay, and after i put it back, the car started. I even notices a dshhhhhhhhh noise under the hood for about three seconds when you turn the key into the on position. Today it stopped again and i couldn't get it started, and that dshhhhhhhh noise was gone too. I had to take out the main relay for a second and put it in again for the car to start. What do you guys think is going on with my car. Is it the main relay? Thanks

Perfectionist

Don't know about your dshhhh noise, but typically, when the ignition is first turned to "run" and while the CEL light is lit, you can hear the fuel pump run if you listen carefully. Maybe you're hearing the fuel lines presurize?

The main relay powers both the fuel pump and the injectors. It's energized at first for a second or two as described above, and then again once the ECU senses the engine is turning. The most common failure is hairline fractures of the solder joints on the main relay's curcuit board, which causes the fuel pump not to run. Sometimes it can cause a code 16 on OBD1 systems if the other half of the circuit board has cracked joints.

Either replacement or just a simple resoldering of the original main relay's circuit board will correct the problem. So, if you know how to solder electronic circuits, or know someone who can, it's a cheap effective fix.

tpot90

When you hear the buzz from underneath the dash (the main fuel pump relay), that means it is probably still good. When you do not hear the buzz, it is time to replace it. Get an OEM one on Ebay.

I had the same problem. My car wouldnt start when the engine/weather was hot because the heat would cause the solders to expand and disconnect from one another causing it to not create enough connection.

LiveIt_NOW

Awesome! Yea, even the mechanics have been saying things that I've been iffy about. But what you say makes complete sense. Man, they don't have that relay on Ebay, that i see anyways-guess I'll just pick one up at autozone or something. Another question, where is the main fuel pump relay? Is that also underneith the steering wheel? thanks, big help

twotonecivic

well yeah kinda, it's under the dash on the driver's side. search it and you'll find a link to it's location.

kidcool1977

you can get a new relay from majestichonda.com or try tasautoparts.com. quick ? isn't the main relay two relays in one. correct me if i am wrong, cause in my 94 accord the main relay is 2 in one the first relay supplies voltage to the Ecm, fuel injectors, and power to the second relay. The second relay powers the fuel pump while the engine is running. But then again the OP has a different gen. i was just curious if there are 2 individual relays. Also my car did the same thing the Op posted and yea it was hell on hot days my car would not fire up, when i filled the tank to full it would start, then die and ever since i changed the main relay no isseus. been a year now, maybe longer

Perfectionist

It's just one relay, but it has multiple contacts.

jlg3256

Having problem starting 2001 Honda accord. Changed fuel pump relay nothing. looking on NAPA site they have Main relay 1&2 same as fuel pump relay. Is this true?

holmesnmanny

fuel pump relay = main relay when it comes to hondas

Lost Again

So what testing leads you to a lack of fuel? Also I would have tested for voltage to the pump before replacing it.....again just me.

jlg3256

Holmesnmanny Thanks for your reply! Finally got it going with no fuel pump

jlg3256

Lost again Thanks for the suggestion! Got it going