I have a 92 accord EX, and on short hops, Intermittently, it won't start when I'm ready to go home. At first, I thought that the fuel filter was clogged and fuel wasn't getting to the injectors(wait a few minutes and she purrs like nothings wrong)....but earlier today a guy that I know told me that he had the same problem with Hondas that he's owned. He said that the problem was a "Little box, up and forward of the fuse panel inside the drivers door" I've looked in manuals and can't find any mention of this in the fuel or electrical sections. Ideas on the name of this part?

Thanks Much,
Gandalf

 

its kinda sounds like he is talking about that black box that all the little vacuum hoses go into. its on the firewall. on mine its on the passenger side firewall right by the fuel filter. i dont know where it is on an ex but its probably by the fuel filter on the firewall as well. I've never messed with that box at all so I wouldnt be much help in knowing what to do.

 

It sounds like he is trying to refer to the main relay, but that isn't in the doors. The only items in the doors are well...the door controls for power locks, windows, and mirrors.

The main relay is up under the dash board.

What happens when you try to start it up? Does nothing turn on with the key (accessories)? Does it attempt to turn over? What exactly does it do (or not do)

 

he's talking about the PGM-FI relay or main relay. they can cause intermittent starting issues due to poor solder joints. the joint expands and contracts with temp change.

for instance, if the car has been sitting in the summer sun all day and is nice and hot inside (i've measured up to 146°F here in SC!) the car won't start. but if the interior is left to cool for a few minutes it starts again.

what you can do easily yourself is listen for the fuel pump to prime every time you put the key in the on position, before you start it. if you hear it and it doesn't start, you have some other issue.

 

Thanks Much for the quick reply.
Everything on the Accessories side works, and she turns over beautifully, just won't start. I can wait a few minutes and she starts right up. The guy that I talked to said that the box was inside the car...I'll look and let you know what I find. I think I'll even ask him to show me where it is.

You Guys ROCK!!!
G

 

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity...l/bl_hmr_1.htm
http://techautorepairs.com/mainrelay.html

PSST, theres a metric ton of tech in the Sticky: ► 1990-2002 Accord FAQ at the top of the forum page. Scroll down to Electrical.

 

The websites that Mad Mike sent me, described my issues perfectly. It even surprised me that one of the symptoms of the main relay going out is that the clock on the dash doesn't work properly(turn the key on and it resets to 1:00 every time)...I guess that nails it. They also said that it happens more when the weather is hot(94 today)...didn't happen at all during the winter...

Thanks SOOO Much!
G

 

Guys,
I found the relay that I needed at O'Reillys (PN# 39400-sm4-0030 RZ-0088), and JR30 is also written on the bag it came in.. (92 Accord EX auto) The people that I've talked to about the location of this beast, either have no clue or it's a classified Gov't secret. I've heard under the hood on the firewall, under the dash right of the steering column...and other places...I've seen one thing left of the steering column on the firewall that might be close in size to the new part that I bought...My Super Question is....

Where is this (Expletive Deleted) Thing Located, Because the frequency of it not starting is getting pretty hairy...

You guys have been awesome!
Thanks SOOO Much
G

 

It's under the dash.....

Read what Mad Mike wrote

The first like 5 DIY/FAQ's are in reference to the main relay....

 

Guys,
Thanks, I found it...it's behind the CCU...hadn't had enough coffee...couldn't see it...

My Friends Wonder, since I'm NOT a Mechanic (IT, Research and analysis) how I know about cars...especially about Honda's? Should I tell them about Honda-Tech?
a few of the own "Our Kind of Cars"...Just curious...

Thanks Again,
G

 

Sounds like it also could be the distributor. Because when the engine gets hot it doesn't want to start. Textbook Accord distributor issue.