What are signs of the main relay going bad? I have a 98 civic cx hatch and every once in a while my car will die out of no where. When I try to restart it, it will turn on and shut right back off. After doing this for a few times it will eventually stay running. It dont mater if its hot or not its real sporadic. It has also happened while driving down the highway. Any suggestions?

 

No idea but I can tell you my 91 civic does the same thing. When you start it right back up, does it flutter when you press the gas, then die down?

 

it dont really do anything but shut right back off

 

just replace the main relay then? its on the passenger side near the ecu.

 

yeh i know where it is but not sure if thats what it is

 

i had the same problem about an hour ago and i pulled the main relay and noticed the solders were cracked on two circuits im going to solder them up in a little bit and put it back in and see whatsup. ive replaced almost everything new dizzy, wires, plugs, injectors, mapsensor,cht sensor, o2sensor, and i was told by one of the techs i work with that the main fuse will have the same symptoms of a bad ignitor or coil and to resolder the points and it should stay running.. ill let you know whats up

car ran fine for a day or two after timing belt was replaced then my rpm guage started jumping and the speedo was jumping at crank and fuel pump would prime some of the time run for about 5 sec then shut off it was 107 today so im going to let the car sit to cool then see if the symptoms change

link i went of of:http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainr...mainrelay.html

 

thanks ill check it out

 

To the OP.... I have the exact same thing going on in my 98 DX hatch. Its a bad ignition switch, and its a recall. Call you local dealership, and they can run your vin and see if its been replaced and if not they replace it for FREE! I too, also ordered a main relay, but never did get it in, as all the symptoms just werent adding up. Figured I would try to save you a headache. If you google it, TSB 98 Honda Civic Ignition Switch, you will find it.

 

also, when I ordered the main relay, the service manager stated that he hadnt heard of many of the 96+ civics having problems with main relays like they used to. So that also put a flag up on as far as replacing the main relay went.

 

thanks man i will be contacting my local Honda dealer this week

 

ok i pulled the main relay and resoldered it put it back in car did not stay running so i proceeded to check all the grounds before anything else my thermostat ground was loose and i tightened it up and the car runs and stays running drove for about 2 miles around the block idle is good. ill have an update by tomorrow to let you know if this indeed was the initial problem. but check your ground wires start with the thermostat make sure all are tight with 0 play.. let me know

 

i will check them as well cuz Im having temp problems too...also had a misfire code a few weeks back in cyl. 2