Hi all,
Have 92 Si, mostly stock, w/ 201k miles (all by me), very well maintained.
I have problem starting up when it is a) very hot out; b) the car has been running a long time; and c) I shut it down and try to restart within 5 minutes or so. After 5 minutes of sitting, it restarts fine. It sounds like it is trying to start, but will not turn over. I just put in new battery and rotor, so I don't think its either of those, and the car is in perfect tune otherwise. Any ideas, resident geniuses?
Thanks!

Ryecatcher
92 Si

 

I'd say starter. Next time, have somebody turn the key and try to start while your hitting the starter with a club or wrench or something.

 

My friend is having the same problem in his 91 accord auto. Does it click when you turn the key? It sounds like it's probably the starter, but the ignition switch can sometimes be faulty too

 

It doesn't click. It sounds just like it does right before the car cranks, only it never turns over.
And thanks for the quick reply!

 

Can you roll start it okay? Does the starter sound normal? How hot does the engine get? My brother had a 77 MGB that wouldn't restart if it was too hot, we had to let it cool down first. I don't know if that still applies to todays car, but you might want to check your radiator fluid, fans, and hoses to see if it 's all operating properly.

 

Check your main relay.....it's a common problem on the EGs.

 

Haven't tried roll starting it. If I'm patient & let it sit five minutes (or less) it will crank right up. Heating is not an issue, temp is normal and recently replaced radiator & hoses. . .

 

Excuse my mechanical ignorance , but what/where is the main relay?

 

He's pointing you in the right direction, main relay or igniter.

Main relay is above the hood release, next to the coin change thing, up inside the dash.

http://www.crxsi.com/resources...relay/
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/...s.htm

igniter:
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/...l.htm

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryecatcher &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Excuse my mechanical ignorance , but what/where is the main relay?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

RyeCatcher!
You have the same car, 1992 Si (mine is CBP)
and the same problem. It happens at random times yeah? do you ever notice if your engine is ideling low before you turn it off? I actually just got my distributor replaced because it was leaking, I havent had the problem since but it hasnt been long enough to tell, if youve fixed it let me know how please.

Hey EGsix were have you heard about this problem and what do you know?

 

Yeah if it doesn't click it's ignition, not the starter. I'd have the problem once in a while when it's hot. But it would crank all day long and just not start. Another thing, there would have to be a pretty girl or two around when it just sat there, that way I could embarass myself. lol. My friend had that problem in his rex and I told him to put fuel injector cleaner in and he hasn't had any problems since.

 

If the car starts regarless if its 2 min or after 3 days, then main relay is working fine

if the car is difficult to start when then engine is cold or hot, then test or replaced your fuel filter and/or Fuel Pump. My suggestions is change your fuel filer first since its only $21 from you local dealer, if that solves the hard starting problem, then dont even bother changing the fuel pump, because they cost $170 ($150 online~ but will end up about the same price after shipping).

hope that helps. later


Santacruz92si, did you just got your car? or were you selling a few months ago? I was looking for a CB EG Si a few months ago and someone emailed who lives up North.

 

Sound's like the main relay to me. I had this proble a while back. I bought a new one from honda for around $55. Mine only had the problem if it had been sitting int he sun for while. Good luck.

 

Thanks all for your help. Sounds like there's two opinions: main relay or fuel pump (I just replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the injectors, etc., but not the fuel pump).
I had this problem before and changing the rotor apparently solved it. However, now (80k miles later), same problem, changed the rotor again, and problem remains. It could be this mechanic was incompetent (which I suspect, as I had to take the car back for a different ac issue he forgot to fix), and he didn't do the rotor right. Should have done it myself and made sure. Damn. That's what I get for lazyness.

I'll try switching out the main relay (myself) and see if that does it. It's a cheap part and sounds easy enough to do. I'll repost with results when complete to add to the collective knowledge here.