I have a 90 honda. It won't start. I changed the distributor cap and the rotor. I repolaced the battery and I put new spark plugs. Car cranks but it won't start. I also checked the fuel line and it's fine. Getting annoyed by this problem. Read on some forums that it can be the main relay. Is the main relay the same as the fuel relay? I just bought the car a couple months ago and I knew it needed some tlc but I'm getting frustrated. Does anyone know what I can try next?

 

If the car is turning over with good power, check to see if its getting fuel and spark. It probably is that fuel pump relay, sometimes called main relay. Looks like a lil black box located under the drivers side left kick panel.

 

u should check to see if there is spark on the spark plug wires. if there is then its a fuel problem, if there isn't then check the dist. one of my friends had the same problem and he had fuel but not spark and he ended changing the distributor assembly, after that it was ok.
ps. his was a 90 accord 4 door too. hope this helps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbo graphix 16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If the car is turning over with good power, check to see if its getting fuel and spark. It probably is that fuel pump relay, sometimes called main relay. Looks like a lil black box located under the drivers side left kick panel.</TD></TR></TABLE>

actually the main relay is up under the dash above a few other electrical components close to the fuse panel under there

 

Main relay= Fuel relay. Listen when you first turn ignition to "On" for a whizzing, or "spinning-up" noise near the back of the car, make sure everything is quiet, radio off, or you might not hear it. If you dont hear any noise from the pump, then main relay may be to blame, you will have to lay upside down with your head under the dash by the pedals, and then pull out 2 relay boxes that are up there to get at the main relay. It will be a greyish box with a redish brown underside and a 7-pin connector. It is a bitch to get it out, and if you have enough slack in your wires id suggest putting the new one back in a little further down to the floor to help to keep the heat from the dash from ruining the new relay.

__
--- / \----
* \ _ /
-------------

Relay should be about where the * is up there! Goodluck!

 

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm gonna try the spark plug cables first then I'm gonna check the main relay. I'll let u guys know if it worked. Thanks again

 

To save you some time, it may be similar to my problem which after throwing a bunch of parts I believe I have the fix.

The ignition switch (labelled as steering switch) can go bad.

My symptom is it'll act like it's starting and then immediately die when key hits position 2.

If I held the key between 2/3 it'll stay on.