goldenarches69

Hey guys,

I searched the board on starting problems and could not find one similar to mine. I have a 95 Ex with about 187000 miles. it usually starts up right away, but when it is cold outside like 50-60 degrees, the car takes forever to clear the first CEL to make the fuel pump prime. It can sometimes takes like 5-10 mins to get the CEL to go away so I can start the car. At first I thought it was the main relay, so I got another working one and tried it, but it still took a long time to clear. Once you get the car to run it will start up right away. When you let the car sit the CEL will take awhile to clear. In warm weather I do not seem to have this problem or when you drive the car a little than start it to leave. I wonder what is causing that CEL to stay on for so long. I know the main relay is fine. There is what looks like a do it yourself alarm wiring up near the ECU and harnesses. I wonder if those are messing up the car, but its strange that it would only happen during cold weather.

What's your take on this?

Thanks

goldenarches69

Bump.... Need help.

Dramier

How do you know the main relay is fine? Because that's exactly what it sounds like the problem is.

z6hatchboy

Only thing i can think of is either, iat (intake air temp) sensor or coolant temp sensor, because the problem is hot and cold weather related. But i cant say for sure, if its not the main relay as dramier said.

Dramier

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by z6hatchboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Only thing i can think of is either, iat (intake air temp) sensor or coolant temp sensor, because the problem is hot and cold weather related. But i cant say for sure, if its not the main relay as dramier said.</TD></TR></TABLE>

IAT and ECT won't affect priming the pump.

That particular honor belongs to the ECU and the main relay.

goldenarches69

I put in a brand new main relay and it still does the same thing. Still takes a long time sometimes to get that CEL gone. I just don't get why it would take soooo long some times. What would make it not clear within the 5 seconds and make everything ok 5 minutes later?

jabrepa

Sup fellows...I'm having the same problem. Turn the key to on, CEL and other warning lights come on, wait a minute or two and click goes the main relay and the fuel pump comes on, turn tkey to start, starts and runs fine. Turn the key off and back on and fuel pump comes on, car starts. Turn it off let it sit, longer you sit, longer it takes to get the click. Tomorrow I'm going to start checking voltages at the places where there should be voltage in each step like the diagrams show here http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq....html
I suspect a have a bad connection in ignition or ground (to the ECM maybe) and that it takes longer to heat up the coils to close the contacts in the main relay. Does this sound like a good route to go? There has to be someone out there that knows this problem because I have seen it in several forums. If I figure it out I'll let you know but I would appreciate any help as I'm not an electrical expert. Later.

RunninEg6

the main relay is a common problem for many people. especially with hot and cold weather. even if you replaced the relay, that won't for sure eliminate the problem. could be bad terminal connections. but you'd have to do some troubleshooting. buy a multimeter and check it out.

driveslow

back from the dead bump. I am having the same exact problem. 94 ex coupe 187k miles.

There has to be someone on this forum that has resolved this problem.

driveslow

bump