I haven't been able to start my car for quite a few months now and I feel like I've exhausted all options. Someone mentioned it may be my main relay but I still hear all 3 clicks: in the on position, when the CEL turns off, and when I try to start the car. Would it still be worth it to swap them out and see what happens?

 

Ok well what is your vehicle and all related information? What is the problem other than obvious? What did you do to make it not start? A little back story? Right now you have us ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING to go on...

 

I'm not here trying to troubleshoot my starting problem, just asking about the main relay. The question is, "I hear the 3 clicks coming from the main relay, but could it still be faulty and worth replacing?" I've been taught if the main relay clicks 3 times then it's good, but I'm having my doubts. I fail to see how my vehicle info would help...

 

Well then good luck with your problem, because if you know it all already didn't you just answer your own question?

 

Yes, You are correct usually 3 clicks mean it is good but don't let that put you hopes down. I have seen them bad even though they click. Worth a shot replace and see what happens. Good Luck!

 

Yeah mine would click three times and the everything would work fine, but every once in a while my car wouldn't start after being shut off (for instance after filling it up at the fuel pump). I replaced my main relay a week ago and it seems to start up better, and I haven't had a problem since! Also, when I replaced it the old one looked fried, and the solders were brownish and flat, some had black as if they burned!

 

Good job trolling and not helping whatsoever.

Thanks, beast and dope. I'll see what happens

 

Oh, because you add Soo much to this Forum? Listen kid, your problem doesn't sound indicative of a main relay in the slightest. Not that it couldn't be, but for it to cycle cold and not start is almost unheard of. I asked for a little back story to try and help you out. You come out all "Mr. Hot Shot" that obviously has no clue. Have you checked the basic 3? Spark, Fuel, and Compression? Also, obviously I'd you have recently done engine work or a DPFI to MPFI conversion, an OBD-0 to OBD-1 conversion, or both there could be other problems. You don't list if you have any CEL's or any information useful what so ever. So again, you can keep being a clown and listing nothing useful; or you can actually help us help you by listing pertinent information. I go out of my way to help in this community. You clearly don't even participate.

 

It's unfortunate that in order to get helpful information, from somebody who obviously knows what they're talking about, posters have to put up with belittling comments and a complete lack of tact.

I'm not saying you owe anybody that or anything else, just saying that I know the feeling of forum omnipotence can be such that you feel you need to hold it over our heards, but it doesn't need to be so.

That being said, I'm sure there are dozens if not hundreds of posters out there who are greatful for the information they get from you, I imagine I may even need your help in the future. Only saying its unfortunate the information has to come at such a price.

 

Nevasatisfied makes me giggle like a school girl sometimes.haha

 

+1

 

Your car doesn't start because you're full of yourself. Sell it before you break it even more

 

I for one see absolutely nothing wrong with the way he asked for info here:

It's awfully hard to help someone when they won't give you anything to go on.

 

It's not that difficult to answer a simple yes or no question where background information is irrelevant. Again, regardless of what I said in my first and second post about my car not starting, the question was pertaining to main relays. I'm sorry, neva, if you misinterpreted something I've said and let's leave it at that.

You want background info on it? '91 civic std, fully stock from what I can tell. I did a full tune-up and the car ran amazingly well for one day, the next it wouldn't start. It doesn't even try to turn over, just one click from the main relay. The battery is good, I've checked my grounds, it gets fuel and spark, swapped out starters and this morning the main relay and still nothing. For two months, I was getting away with push starting it while continuing to figure out my problem. I noticed my battery cable was extremely corroded so I replaced it and now the car won't push start anymore. Could it possibly be the ignition switch? Why can't I even push start it anymore? Did something happen to the clutch switch from popping it so much? I feel like I need to make a new thread since this has kinda went off topic..

 

Does it crank?

Is the firing order correct? Check the rotor in the distributor and see if the screw is loose.

How are you checking for fuel and spark?

Are there any CEL's and do you have all sensors plugged in correctly?

 

Don't forget........

In the interest of helping though, is the ECU known to still be good?

 

See, what you described in no way indicates a main relay at all. The problem is exactly the opposite... Here is how to check the main relay and related wiring (again most likely not your problem)...

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/checking-main-relay-pics-2535047/

Something you should try and do to troubleshoot. Measure the voltage at the starter (between the big wire terminal and starter ground) while someone turns the key to attempt to start.

If it stays up near 12 volts, starter is not working. If it drops a lot (below 9 volts), check the battery next. Measure on the lead posts that are part of the battery while someone tries to start. If it drops a lot, battery is run down or defective.

If the battery voltage stays up but you don't get voltage at the starter, investigate the power and ground circuits.

For the power circuit, put one voltmeter probe on the battery + post and the other on the starter big wire terminal. Should be less than a volt while trying to start. If a large voltage drop appears, check each part individually by measuring for a voltage drop, for example between the battery post and the terminal.

The ground circuit is checked the same way.

It sounds like a battery/wiring issue. Regardless of what you did you should recheck everything (especially the battery). After you check all that report back with your findings. Also, do you have any CEL / does the red LED even flash on the ECU?

 

... >cool story bro< ...
So basically you want our opinion?
Well... I can do that for you!

If you like to randomly buy parts to install them while only hoping it fixes your problem then good news!
YES! In that case it would be totally worth it to see what happens!
It might be a total waste of time if it doesn't work, but who cares because you will be right there doing all the work and watching the magic (or lack of) take place!
YES YES YES! Totally worth it!
OH YEAH - don't forget to change your heater core while you are at it.
You just never know - it might be the robbing air from your tires and you don't want that to happen.


If you actually care to use this tech forum to fix your car, then gather knowledge rather than opinions.
Try fixing your car in a logical fashion might actually save you time and money.


FYI: main relay is actually 3 relays in one.
That's the '3 clicks' you are trying to hear.
If you think about it, 3 clicks would require a delay between each click.
A delay like that would not be very nice for normal people that like to sit down, put the key in, and start it right up.
I never heard 3 clicks... guess it's possible, but I just hear one click and car starts.

 

I don't hear any clicks. Remote start mannnn