Recently my accord has been having intermittent problems starting up. I think it is the immobilizer unit.

When I put my keys in the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the immobilizer either blinks for a few seconds and disappears or does not come on at all. When it blinks the car always starts up. And without fail if no immobilizer indicator light comes up the car will not start (the engine rotates though, I guess its getting no fuel). I just got a second opinion from someone recently who says its the main relay.

My question is this. Is the main relay connected to the immobilizer unit? If not, which of these seem to be the problem OR could it be another issue?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirtyrotten &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any help would be greatly appreciated </TD></TR></TABLE>

Any model year and trim level would be greatly appreciated

 

This is a 1998 Honda Accord V6 Coupe.

 

Hmm...I don't if they are connected or not but it doesn't sound like a relay problem. Have you noticed anything else going wrong? Because bad relays usually make multiple problems. I'd look in a Chiltons or Haynes manual.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirtyrotten &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My question is this. Is the main relay connected to the immobilizer unit? If not, which of these seem to be the problem OR could it be another issue?

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The immobilizer unit is a part of the ECU. It gets it's power through the main relay.
I would take a close look at the main relay before going any farther.

 

i had to change my main relay about 2 weeks ago in my 94 accord. it sounds like you have the same problem i did. the engine would turn but would not start. my mechanic did a poor job spoting the problem. i ended up getting a new starter and distributor for free. but now my security system dosn't go beep beep any of yall know how that could be fixed?

 

This had happened before (about a year ago) and the service shop said it was the keys. They took both sets of my keys and reprogrammed it (at least thats what they told me). They said the unit was no longer recognizing the keys. The car started fine after they "worked" on it.

I can't say this is the exact same problem now because I hadn't noticed the indicator light before. I've read posts on the Honda main relay issues and they seem to apply to my situation. But the immobilizer indicator light was never mentioned in any of those posts.

If the immobilizer gets its power through the main relay, it could explain why the immobilizer indicator light comes on sometimes and sometimes not.

Thanks for all your help, I will start with the main relay and keep you posted.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirtyrotten &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> They said the unit was no longer recognizing the keys. The car started fine after they "worked" on it.

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If the immobilizer system doesn't recognize the key, the light will keep flashing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chiovnidca &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If the immobilizer system doesn't recognize the key, the light will keep flashing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes I was referring to the first time it happened. At that time I had not paid attention to what the light was doing. But now, it is happening and the light does not keep on flashing (for unrecognized keys) as it says it would in the manual. It does not even come on. So do you think this eliminates the immobilizer unit as the problem?

Thanks again for your help.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirtyrotten &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes I was referring to the first time it happened. At that time I had not paid attention to what the light was doing. But now, it is happening and the light does not keep on flashing (for unrecognized keys) as it says it would in the manual. It does not even come on. So do you think this eliminates the immobilizer unit as the problem?

Thanks again for your help. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chiovnidca &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I would take a close look at the main relay before going any farther.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Check the ground path for the DLC and the immobilizer receiver, if the path to
ground is poor, the immobilizer receiver can't communicate with the ECM

 

It was the main relay. Replaced and the problem was solved.

Thanks again