vital stats: 1990 Honda Accord DX, 5 spd manual, no automatic anything, 159,000 mi (all necessary tune ups and part replacement done through 125,000 miles.

car won't start in humid weather (now even minor humidity - cold weather not a problem). engine cranks but won't start. actually, it's not quite that simple, or predictable. sometimes it starts and runs fine all day (less and less frequently - it's been dead for 4 days now). sometimes it's hard to start, but then runs fine. Sometimes is starts right away, but is hard to restart after stopping.

things checked:
fuel (duh, but yes)
new battery (terminal connections good)
fuel cleaners
new air filter
new fuel filter
new distributor and rotor
new plugs
new plug wires

I think I'm down to the following things to check:
fuel pressure regulator
fuel relay (electrical under dash)
fuel pump

obviously I would like to try the easiest solutions first. Am I on the right track? is there anything else to consider? is there any advice I can get on how to go about solving this problem?

thanks
junior amateur mechanic guy with pocket knife and duct tape

 

try the main relay first i bet it has cracked solderings

 

i have a 92 ex and my **** has that problem all the time, it cranks but then wont start, i dont know the kind of situation your in when trying to start it, but most of the time i have problems when my engine gets really hot after driving, and when i try to start it back up it wont go. my dad says its the fuel pump over heating, but if your car has been sitting and still wont start for 4 days, then i have no clue what to tell you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by menmy92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a 92 ex and my **** has that problem all the time, it cranks but then wont start, i dont know the kind of situation your in when trying to start it, but most of the time i have problems when my engine gets really hot after driving, and when i try to start it back up it wont go. my dad says its the fuel pump over heating, but if your car has been sitting and still wont start for 4 days, then i have no clue what to tell you</TD></TR></TABLE>

try the main relay before you do anything with fuel pump .remove relay and chk for cracked solderings , resolder and put together

 

I have looked for a replacement part, but cannot find one in general online searches of the major parts sites. aside from repairing what i have, is there a good place you know of to look for the relay unit? is there a term for the unit I am unaware of?

thanks for the advice, I'll look into that first.

 

you could also check the ignition control module inside the distributer...

 

thanks guys. the relay seems to have been the issue. i pulled it out, resoldered the points and the car has started without fail so far.