Please help - I have a 1989 Prelude 2.0SI - It usually starts up ok when cold. After driving it, stopping it and getting back in about 5 minutes later - it cranks but does not start. It will be dead like this for several minutes, then suddenly it fires up fine. I have tested for spark during this time and find no spark during cranking (either at the plug or out of the coil). I have replaced the coil.

Lately, it is starting to flake like this even when it has not been driven.

Any ideas are welcome.

Ron

 

ignitor?

 

Please say more about the ignitor... where is this part located? How difficult is it to troubleshoot or replace?

Any help is appreciated...thanks.

Ron

 

I did a search for a fix for my friends 91 civic and came up with a typical problem for all older Honda's. The main relay used to be faulty in old Honda's...... most people relpace them, but when the prob was described, I knew exactly what was happening. Does it mainly do it when it is hot? 99/100 times if a circut board is faulty when hot, it is due to solder cracks...... a crack in a solder point will expand when warm breaking connections. Instead of replacements, take the relay apart and check for anything that may look like a hairline crack and heat it up with a solder gun (100 W), not a solder pen. You can also buy a new one for about $40 US.

Here is the civic link, should be close to the same for the lude.

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/index2.html

 

correct, in all probability, some of the connections in the main relay are probably old and cracked. Replace that badboy or re-solder the connections.

 

Sounds like a possibility - if the main relay is faulty, would I still have spark while cranking?

And where is the main relay located on an 89 Prelude?

Thanks.

 

Posted the wrong link before..... here is the right one

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/mainrelay.html


Parts:

http://www.slhondaparts.com/br...-HORN

To se a pic, click link at top. I think yours is either above the fuse box or under the hood. I think the one in my 86 was against the firewall but don't quote me. If you are unsure, phone Honda and they will tell you where it is. Did some research, it is even a prob on newer honda's and people (who have done this) have had luck soldering the points.

 

The main relay also has a contact for the fuel pump I believe. It is this contact that is the problem since your starter is cranking but the engine is receiving no fuel pressure. I had this problem in my 89 Prelude and I replaced the main relay. I thought Honda would have corrected this problem but it is apparent to me they have not learned from the past. I have a 99 Accord and it has the same problem. I know it is the same problem because my car starting doing exactly the same thing on hot days as my old Prelude did. Only this time when I turn my key on I listen for the fuel pump before I crank the starter. You can hear the fuel pump when you first turn on the key. It only pressurizes for 3 or 4 sec. before it stops - with the engine off and key on.
So I come to an interesting conclusion. The bean counters at Honda have realized that instead of fixing a design problem wouldn't it be more profitable to leave the design problem in the vehicle? Think of it. Most main relay problems occur AFTER the warranty has run out so Honda gets to sell you a new relay at highly marked up prices and adds insult to injury by charging you an hour to do it.
Bean counters. I thnk they should all have their asses friggin "bottom lined!".

 

Kellyk75..
Thanks so much for the info here.
I have been having the same problem as ronman with my 91 Civic.
It has gotten to where it starts ever more intermittently. I too replaced the ignition coil (and distributor cap due to a small crack). Well, I thought I had fixed the problem and then after about a week, it did it again. The starter spins right up, everything sounds 'normal' but no ignition. I was suspecting some sort of electrical problem since turning off the ignition completely and trying again seems to help sometimes.
I broke out the Chilton manual and thought I'd replace the fuel pump. That looks like a monumental task! My next step was the fuel filter, but once started, my car still runs great..no lags in acceleration, etc. So fuel filter? hmm, probably not. (though I'll likely replace it anyway since I have 149K miles)

The main relay sure sounds like the culprit. I have to leave my car in very hot parking lots for work, etc.
Thanks again. Hopefully I can get this fixed.

 

I'm kinda of having the same problem. I have a 00 prelude and I can get in it crank it up drive it, but when I turn it off it wont crank back up. It kind of turns over for a milla second but dies out like if the battery were dying. I can jump it and it will crank right up, or if I can wait a couple hours itll crank up. the battery indicator says its str8, just wondering if this is the same problem and solution? Or is it something else? Any insite on this anyone?