Hey everyone i just recently bought a 89 acccord lxi with about 150,000 miles on it. everything seems to work good. only problem is sometimes when i try to start my car it takes like 20 times cranking it for it to start. most the time it strts on the second or third try. and when the check engine light comes on right at the beginning it usually starts easier it seems like it runs better when the check engine light is on. if someone could lead me in the right direction on how to fix this problem that would be awesome!! thank you

 

i need some help come on guys!!

 

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

 

hey man are you sure this is the problem? and how much is it for a new main relay?

 

Google how to check the codes that the CEL is wanting to give you. Post back the codes and then you will probably get a lot of help. It is probably a relay or a sensor.

 

Look under the driver seat. There is a plastic box. There is a small lid on the rear of the box. Pop open the lid. You will see a flashing red light. With the key on, engine off, count the flashes and get back to us.

 

So you have a CEL but haven't bothered to find out why it's on?

Find out why the CEL is on and that should give you a good place to start.

Doing full tune up (fluids, filter, brakes, etc) is going to help tremendously as well as getting new spark plugs and wires.

 

My 92 EX had a similar problem, but only during hot weather. It might crank fine(or not) leaving the house...but when I got to my destination and tried to leave...NOPE
The folks on here told me that my main relay was bad, I bought a new one at O'Reilly's (Oreilly's brand $30.00 and their better brand $50+) I've been Golden ever since.
G

 

thanks guys ill get those codes and get back at you.

 

hey guys i did the test and it cam up error code 6 so if thats any help that would be great. error code 6 is a engine coolant sensor... but could that even be why my cars not starting sometimes? please help guys thank you!!

 

If your coolant temperature sensor is bad then that will be the cause of your starting problem.

If your car uses PGM-FI fuel injection then your ECT being bad will cause the symptoms that you describe.

The ECU takes inputs from various sensors barometric pressure, manifold pressure, engine temperature, load, speed, throttle position etc etc and uses it to calculate how much fuel to add to the engine through the fuel injectors. This works fine. When a sensor fails it essentially disables the system. In order to prevent this from happening in the event of sensor or wiring failure to the ECU the system substitutes the normal value of this sensor into it's calculations. For example no signal from the coolant temp sensor, then the ECU will calculate fuel dispensing based on a normal engine temperature.

If the engine is cold, then it will not have the proper air/fuel mixture for the engine temp. It will be hard to start, because it won't have enough fuel for cold start.

 

thanks man is there any way u could post a pic of exactly where the ect sensor is? im not quite sure which one it is and i dont wanna take out the wrong one. lol and could this be why im getting bad gas mileage?

 

Could be the reason for bad mileage. I would change that first. In your accord the ECT should be at the thermostat housing. Follow the lower radiator hose to the thermostat (Where it hooks up to the water pipe) and there should be a round green connector. The connector is hooked up to the ECT.

Drain some coolant and pull it out with a socket. Put the new one in and make sure to seal the threads with some RTV or similar liquid gasket.