How long does the main relay last?


I tried to start my car today and when I turned the key the main relay went bizerk, the relays inside were clicking so fast it had a grinding sound to it . (it sounded like when the starter grinds the flywheel).

I know it's the main relay because I physicaly held it in my hand as I started the car.

01 gsr 58kmi.

 

If you have ever had a problem starting you car on a hot day, or if you car will start fine sometimes and not others then you might have a problem with the main relay. You can just buy a new relay from Honda but they are expensive and a more cost effective solution is to re-solder the joints on the relay itself. This guide is based on a g2 Honda Integra but may apply for other Hondas.

How to find out if your main relay is faulty

When you turn the key to the 'on' position the engine check light should come on for around two seconds. You should hear the relay click when it turns on and again when it turns off. If you don't hear the click from under the steering column then the relay is faulty.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by deadline &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you have ever had a problem starting you car on a hot day, or if you car will start fine sometimes and not others[/B] </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is the first time I've ever had any problems with it, it wasn't even hot that day. The solders are good, I did some research awhile back when it went bad on my 91 ls.

Any other ideas. I'll check the wiring to the main relay, to see if anything is shorting out.

 

Asking how long a main relay lasts is like asking how long a light bulb will burn. There is no real set date/time/length that a relay will last for.

The one in my '90 teg lasted 16yrs while I sell main relays ( I work for honda ) for '98 civics and accords all day long.

If you know it's faulty just replace it
-Rik

 

is there a picture of the main relay anywhere? I tried finding mine a while back and i just cant figure out what it is

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rikter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you know it's faulty just replace it
-Rik</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree, but I would rather find out what caused it to go out in the first place not just ignore the problem. Since you sell relays all day have you ever seen or heard of one going out in less than 7 years?

Maybe you wouldn't be selling them all day if you found out why they were going bad.

 

need a main relay? i got one forsale https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1977345