ralbach

Hi Folks,

Car: 86 Accord LX - 4Dr. MT, AC, Lower 48

Symptoms: occasionally no fuel, after running occasional sputter and check engine lights flash

Hypothesis: main relay flaking occasionally

Issue: can't find main relay

I've gone to the Tegger site and others - I also own the shop manual - every where shows the main relay sitting in close proximity to the hood opener near the main fuse box etc. - well after several head scratching / frustrating hours of seeking its just not where it should be - the listen method has not helped

Looked here at this excellent site but its just not there:

http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm


Any thoughts - maybe some mechanic working w the prior owner (my dad) moved the thing?

My thanks in advance.

E-AT_me

it is pretty hard to find if you've never pulled one before.. it may still be in that area, but just really far up there. mine is usually a pain to find in my 86 and 88+. but i've pulled them before so i know they are there. good luck, and take a flashlight. it's about a foot north of the hood pull.

78CITYTURBO

It's way up there. I had to unscrewed my main under the dash fuse box, push it toward the driver seat to get to the main relay box. Good luck.

ralbach

Thanks for the response - by "north" do you mean higher (away from the floor board) OR do you mean forward (towards the front of the car).

Did you have to remove the fuse box to get to it?

ralbach

Thanks you for your response.

Do you mean to say that you unscrewed the fuse box and push it back towards the driver seat to get at it?

That would certainly explain why I cannot see it.

78CITYTURBO

Do you mean to say that you unscrewed the fuse box and push it back towards the driver seat to get at it?.....YES, the two ot three screws that mount the fuse box. God luck.

ralbach

update:

I've removed the fuse box - disconnected everything to make as much room as possible but still no luck

I've attached two photos:

the parts picture shows two pieces attached in the area generally referred to by my manual and everything I've seen on-line as where the main relay should be- the item on the right appears to be the light retractor relay and the other I do not know but it was above the motor in the second photo

The other photo shows the area where I think the main relay should be - the picture is taken roughly from the clutch looking up and towards the left at a 45 degree angle

Am I getting warm? - I can't see any wires or connectors going up into that area beyond the little motor with the yellowish tubing coming out so I am even more confused now

thanks again for you patience / help

E-AT_me

yes i mean farther away from the floor board.

mine are usually above the "fun mess" in your first picture..

ralbach

More removal of parts yesterday and tonight after work and nothing to be found. So more internet research.

Somebody on another forum suggests that there is no main-relay on a carb engine for an 86 Accord. That explains a great deal.

So my new question becomes what is the equivalent to the Main Relay on a carb engine?

Will need to start a new thread I suspect.

Thanks to all who offered help.

Cesar Jacovi

Tengo exactamente el mismo problema. Y el mismo auto.
No existe relevador maestro. Pero tengo estos sintomas en mi auto:
cuando dejo la llave en posicion de abierta . se carga la bomba electrica. El primer paso para llenar lineas funciona. Pero cuando enciende el carro . deja de funcionar la bomba.
Espero resuelvas tu problema.
en lo que lo resuelvo Conéctate un switsh directo a la bomba.

Saludos