First off, here's my setup:

B18B1 Block (unknown internals)
P72 Head (stock)
BLOX IM
GSR hydro tranny
chipped P74 - VTEC wired (unknown program, most likely CROME or Uber)

Anyway, I bought this car about 3 months ago and the previous owner didn't really tell me the details about the motor, just that it ran perfect and no CEL's. The motor pulls hard and idles like a kitten (still does). Okay, but today something weird happened to me...

I was driving home from work and decided to stop by my local Panda Express for some Beijing Beef. Ran in and out in less than 5 mins, hopped in, key the ignition, and it just keeps turning (3-4 revolutions). It always starts right up with one revolution so I immediately feel my blood flowing a little faster. I give it a second try, same thing... it wouldn't start and just kept turning over n over. I decided I'll just let it sit for 15 seconds and retry, while I started going over my wallet looking for my AAA membership card. I go for the 3rd try and viola, it started right up as if nothing was wrong.

Now, has anybody ever had this issue arise before? I've already checked my plugs (all gravy) and no CEL's either. What else could be going out that I should look for? I just don't wanna end up stranded in the future and have to wait for AAA to come fetch my car, scraping the sh*t out of it getting it on and off the flatbed.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. And thanks for reading.

Nick

 

my 01 ls does this too but rarely. i think its the main relay showing its age.

 

Mine only does that when my gas tank is almost empty.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mrdeadman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mine only does that when my gas tank is almost empty. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, my tank is half full so that aint the case. Although I'm suspecting the fuel filter may be getting clogged?? Or it could be the fuel pump going out too.

 

Could easily be an alternator or battery issue. Almost dead lithium ion batteries work better when voltage isn't drawn from them for a minute.

 

i am going to bet on the main relay, just buy one new from the dealership.

 

yeah man i wouldn't sweat it TOO much. this has happened to me in every honda i've had (4). sometimes after i've been driving for awhile and stop, they wouldn't start right up after being shut off for a couple minutes. it would take longer to start for some reason, not sure why... but i've always just kind of ignored it and it's never been a serious problem

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lmike6453 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Could easily be an alternator or battery issue. Almost dead lithium ion batteries work better when voltage isn't drawn from them for a minute.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Battery is brand new according to the previous owner, plus if it were the battery, it wouldn't even be turning the motor as strong as it was. Alternator... I've already checked that as well. Took the battery positive terminal off while the car was on, and no stalling occurred.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by na+b18c_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah man i wouldn't sweat it TOO much. this has happened to me in every honda i've had (4). sometimes after i've been driving for awhile and stop, they wouldn't start right up after being shut off for a couple minutes. it would take longer to start for some reason, not sure why... but i've always just kind of ignored it and it's never been a serious problem</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can't ignore it bro. You can keep ignoring it, but I need to find out what's wrong with my car because I think it's a cause for concern. Like I said, I hate getting my "lowered" cars towed by jackasses who couldn't care less about scraping your sh*t. Oh and I've ran into a few who wouldn't even bother trying cause they tell you straight out, it's a liability issue.

Fixing the problem after it breaks down is always easier, but I dont like to wait until stuff breaks, most likely causing a domino effect.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxstylin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i am going to bet on the main relay, just buy one new from the dealership.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've never had a main relay issue on all my Honda's that I've owned, so how exactly does a main relay go out? Have you experienced this same issue with your own car, the main relay being the culprit? Correct me if I'm wrong guys but, wouldn't the main relay just go out like how a fuse would if it was bad?

 

no, main relays will still function, at first it will only fail to start every now and then. it will get more common as time goes on. The problem lies within the solder joints. The heat causes them to not become as strong. So thats why the problem fluctuates.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxstylin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no, main relays will still function, at first it will only fail to start every now and then. it will get more common as time goes on. The problem lies within the solder joints. The heat causes them to not become as strong. So thats why the problem fluctuates.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If this info is fact, it's good to know. Thanks




Modified by AlphaQup at 12:34 PM 8/7/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlphaQup &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. And thanks for reading.

Nick </TD></TR></TABLE>

Its hard to say what it is for sure but, in my case I live in central florida where its humid and rains almost everday in the summer. Lately my fuel pump has been taking a few moments or even a few minutes after I engage my ignition before priming my fuel system before start-up. My Tegs 12 years old, however the motor is rebuilt with brand spanking new parts + I replaced the original fuel pump with a Walbro so I think the wiring between the pump and the battery is shorting from a corroded ground or the heat + the weather is affecting the amperage output of my battery because when I start my car in the morning/evening (when temperatures are cooler) its starts fine, but this problem only seems to occur during midafternoon when the sun is bearing down on my car.

Its a good chance that an electrical relay is old that it could be causing your problem as well as mine.


Modified by DC_Legacy at 4:58 PM 8/7/2008

 

good writeup on DIY main relay fix
http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

edit. I have actually had the problem on every honda / acura I have owned because I have owned em all past the 200k mark but have also seen the problem with low mileage cars.

But if you ever get stuck and your car wont crank.
Beat on the area really hard where your main relay is while trying to crank the car. You dont have to actually hit the relay although it would be preferred, its next to impossible without making the relay dangle in the first place. Anyhow, this method will 99.99999999999% of the time crank a car with a main relay issue. I give it a high percentage of success because it has always worked for me. If it doesnt work for you, you arnt hitting the area hard enough.


Modified by crxstylin at 5:42 PM 8/7/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DC_Legacy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Its hard to say what it is for sure but, in my case I live in central florida where its humid and rains almost everday in the summer. Lately my fuel pump has been taking a few moments or even a few minutes after I engage my ignition before priming my fuel system before start-up. My Tegs 12 years old, however the motor is rebuilt with brand spanking new parts + I replaced the original fuel pump with a Walbro so I think the wiring between the pump and the battery is shorting from a corroded ground or the heat + the weather is affecting the amperage output of my battery because when I start my car in the morning/evening (when temperatures are cooler) its starts fine, but this problem only seems to occur during midafternoon when the sun is bearing down on my car.

Its a good chance that an electrical relay is old that it could be causing your problem as well as mine.


Modified by DC_Legacy at 4:58 PM 8/7/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the heads up bro!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxstylin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good writeup on DIY main relay fix

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh Snaps!!! I'll try this first before buying a new one. Thanks brother!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlphaQup &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Oh Snaps!!! I'll try this first before buying a new one. Thanks brother!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, that write-up pretty much nails the symptoms. Good lookin out CRXSTYLIN

 

theres waaayy tmi on this page. its your main relay dude. thats it. you turned your car over after 15 min bc it cooled itself off. them ninjas must have been takin forever to cook your beef n broccoli, while your main relay was cookin in your car. 5 bucks for one that works at a scrap yard or diy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDRETTI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">theres waaayy tmi on this page. its your main relay dude. thats it. you turned your car over after 15 min bc it cooled itself off. them ninjas must have been takin forever to cook your beef n broccoli, while your main relay was cookin in your car. 5 bucks for one that works at a scrap yard or diy.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ummm it was less than "5 mins" if you'd read correctly and by the time I got it back up n running again, it was a total time of less than 6 mins. I know about the DIY re-soldering, which I'll attempt this weekend. Oh and it wasn't beef n broccoli, it was Beijing Beef dude! ***** BOMB!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlphaQup &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ummm it was less than "5 mins" if you'd read correctly and by the time I got it back up n running again, it was a total time of less than 6 mins. I know about the DIY re-soldering, which I'll attempt this weekend. Oh and it wasn't beef n broccoli, it was Beijing Beef dude! ***** BOMB! </TD></TR></TABLE>
nasty americanized chinese food

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TOO MUCH TORQUE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
nasty americanized chinese food </TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha I agree, but when your on the run and hungry it's doesn't taste as bad as you think.

I usually go this other place around my neighborhood called BODA. Now that place is hella dirty lookin but they cook some good sh*t there. I'm sure there's some San Jose heads here who can vouch.

 

you guys have general tso's made with honey sauce in cali? now that **** is gooood.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDRETTI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you guys have general tso's made with honey sauce in cali? now that **** is gooood.</TD></TR></TABLE>

General Tso's? Is that a franchise shop? I've never heard of it mang. Damn we've gone way OT here haha.