My son's Ciic sometimes does not start, and sometimes when that happens you can kick the dash or wiggle the main fuse block and it fires right up. Now it is completely dead - push start only. We have checked for loose wires and corroded connections. Is the main relay the answer? What does it look like? Where is it? How do you tell without buying another one ?

Thanks!!!!

 

damn..that sucks...someone help this guy and his son out

 

Main relay is a common problem. Keep turning the key from off to on until you hear the fuel pump prime then it will start and get you where you want to go. Short of getting one from the junkyard, the dealer is the only option.

 

the relay should "click" when it's engaged...

if it's clicking and the fuel pump is not priming then it's probobly the fuel pump..

If the relay isn't clicking then it's probobly the relay.

I don't have my helms handy so I can't give you an exact location of the main relay...

But it should be above and behind the fuse block under the dahs I BELIEVE.

 

I would first check your son's ignition switch, My friends 90 civic would not start sometimes .....he would put the key in and turn it and sometimes it would start .........we checked the ignitionswitch that was the problem......

to check if it's the ignition but the key and turn it and hold it for a few secounds untill the car turns on if it turns then its the switch if it does not it's something else. i hope this helps some

 

Sounds like the relay. If you can smack the side of the dash and it starts, it is usually the relay. They are about $50 from the dealership and to my knowledge the only place you can get them new. I don't think that I would recommend a used one because you could get the same problem. It is generally a grey box located under the dash usually on the ouside (left) side of the dash.

Craig

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wambus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now it is completely dead - push start only.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So it does start, just not with the ignition switch?

If you can start it, and it keeps running, it ain't your main relay. The main relay feeds power to the fuel pump.

 

I had the same problem with the Main relay issue. sometimes I have to turn it on and off for few times to hear it click. I also think it might be my keys are worn out too much. it is not activing everything when I stick in the iginition. It happen to my dad's camry. After a set of new keys, problems were solved. I'm going to get a new key made and find out if I still have this problem.

 

like EE-Chris said if you can push start its not your main relay. i would look at either the ignition switch or the starter.

 

ignition.............................Ownz