My gf has a 91 Civic wagon DX... D15B2, auto, etc. I think it needs a new relay. It's been hard starting lately in the hot weather. Even if it doesn't need a new main relay, I'm going to get one anyways, because it's old.

I rmember there used to be a guy on here that resoldered old main relays and sold them here. Has anyone here gone that route and if so, how has it worked out for you so far?

and... has anyone gotten a main relay from a parts place? (Oreilly's, pepboy's autozone, etc.) I just thought this was a part you should stick with OEM, but let me know if you have went a different route other than Honda.

Thanks in advance for some good answers

 

as far as i can recall, there is only one manufacturer of this relay, although many "brands" carry this part. they are just reboxed mitsuba parts. most any auto parts supply should be able to sell you one for around 40 bux

 

solder yours its super easy

 

^^what he said

 

I have never seen proof positive that a relay coil within the Main Relay burned up or had an open (broken) wire internally, although you dont see many people resoldering theirs (its a secret), I have seen several pictures of the actual problem of the solder breaking loose from the PCB. That is the cheap fix and it may go another 100K. I carry Main Relays in my glovebox to sell to people at the Mall parking lots all summer long. Batteries in the winter. FYI.

I also have seen where on certain Hondas, the relay is mounted as to allow water to pool up in its outer cover (upsidedown) and the relay assy was so corroded that it just needed replaced. I believe that was due to a windshield leak.

 

Just take it out, unclip it from the housing, and look for small cracks in the solder...they are circular and go around the base of the pole. My car wouldn't start when hot, 1 of them had a tiny crack & I got a soldering tool for $8, solder for $5, cost me less than $15 for a working main relay