hey there. i didn't drive my crx at all yesturday, but today my clear bumper lenses finally came from ups. i moved my car so that i could install the lenses easier (i was parked behind a bush if you care). i did the whole 5 minute instal and went to move my car back to its spot but it wouldn't start! It took about 7 trys until it started again. i talked to my friend (who also has an 89' crx si) about it and he says it's a common problem in rexes and it's probably due to the main relay. i don't know where to start with this problem. is it something to do with the main relay? how do i fix this? i don't have much automotive experience, so if you can help me, realize that the more simple you explain, the better i'll learn. thanks guys....! oh, this isn't the first time this has happened either, it's happened about 5 times in the last year.

 

It doesn't sound like a main relay to me. If you try starting your car and nothing lights up or the engine doesn't even try and start is when you know you have a main relay problem. This happened to me a week ago and I just replaced the 60A fuse in my 88 civic. Just check for something else.

 

i have the same problem, it only does it after i stop the car for a little while and try to start it again. it cranks but wont start for a few minutes. ill try changing the 60A fuse this week i guess. i was ready to change the main relay, but i guess since it cranks its not the main relay right?

 

No, no....no. The main relay initiates the fuel pump when you start the car. If your car cranks, everything lights up, etc., then it is possibly the main relay. This just means that the fuel pump is not coming on when you're trying to start the car.

Usually a common symptom is that when you're only out of the car, or have it shut off for small periods of time, it won't start when you come back. Also more common in hot weather.

Another way to find out what it is, is to do this (what I'm doing recently):

When you go to start the car, turn the key to the on position, before it makes it crank over...and keep it there for a sec. You should hear a small whistle-type noise or something to that effect for about 1 - 1.5 seconds and then it will shut off (this is the noise that is made when the main relay connects to the fuel pump and turns it on, then off.). Then try to start your car. If it does NOT start, and that noise DID occur, then the problem is NOT in your main relay, and could possibly be distributor related.

Since I started trying this my car has not failed to start, nor has it failed to whistle. However, the last time it pulled that little "I don't wanna start" crap on me, I tried it...and here's what happened when it started...I put the key to on, and there was no "whirrrr" but after a second it went "click, whirrrrr" then I turned the key to ignition and it went. So I guess it's my relay!

Alex