My 96 Accord has a problem we have been chasing for quite some time. It will run fine most times but occasionally it dies but picks right back up,
I work with a man who was a service manager at a large Honda dealership and he felt it was maybe an igniter problem. I replaced the entire distributor with a brand new one and still the problem persisted.
I then attached a pressure gauge to the fuel rail and pressures are normal. I can disconnect the pressure valve and it will run at 42 PSI, with the valve connected it runs 34PSI and up to around 38. While running it will drop completely to zero for less than a second but picks right back up to normal pressures.
I'm wondering if the pump relay might be the problem as I've be told over and over by Honda folks that the pump usually works or doesn't and will last lots of years.
Thank You in advance for your ideas.
Marvin

 

I don't think in this case it's the relay. I've never heard of a relay acting like that in any car of any make or model. It does sound like the pump is losing power and it could be due to the relay cutting out, but I don't think the relay is at fault, though it wouldn't hurt to bench test it. Also check your battery terminals for corrosion and the ecm ground (thermostat housing on 96?) I've heard the same thing about honda fuel pumps rarely going out and that it's usually the main relay. That may be true, but pumps do still go out and it's not always the main relay. It doesn't sound like either in your case. This sounds like an electrical problem. I'm not sure where to take it from there.

 

Sounds like an intermittent ground fault or a loose connection to me. Track the electric connections to the fuel pump and see if you can find something pinched or worn or loose, including the fuse and the relay (loose connection not faulty relay). You could find someone with a scan tool that records data and see if they can catch the data when you're driving. You may have to pay a mechanic to do this or buy a scan tool that does it from a place like AutoZone but the cost of a tool that can record the data isn't cheap.

 

The problem is the main relay. Replace it and you'll be back on the road.

The fact that you properly troubleshooted it was key to finding the issue.

 

Thank you everyone who replied.
I bought a new relay and will install tonight. I took it off and disassembled it like some of the videos recommended and although I did not have access to a soldering iron I did squeeze the solder up on the connections and it did make a difference. It still momentarily loses pressure, but for a much shorter span. I can drive it on the highway without it dying and only will it die at very low speeds.
I'll report the results tomorrow. I worked as a mechanic for 14+years before this job and hated throwing parts at a problem. Many have been the frustrating moments with this car's problem, but hopefully this has solved it and will help another with a similar problem.