Well here is my problem- Ive got a 92 preludeSi and when I shut the engine off and go to start it a minute or two later it doesn't want to start sometimes. It sounds like the starter is turning the engine but it wont start up. It just makes that sound hondas make when they are starting up. Ill let it sit for five to ten minutes and then it will start. If anyone has a possible solution to this problem I would like to hear about it. Is this just a prelude problem? It gets frustrating.

 

A couple of things off hand to try.

when your car is cold, heat up the main relay with a hairblower to see if you can start it. if not, you found your problem

next heat up the dizzy as well to see.

fs

 

Thanks- what do you mean by dizzy. Could it also be the electronic air control vavle on the back of the throttle body?

 

I think it is your distributor cap and rotor.

When was the last time these items were changed?

 

Im not sure if they were changed before i bought the car but i myself have had the car for almost two years and havent changed them yet- the car has 135000 miles on it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Si-Luden92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im not sure if they were changed before i bought the car but i myself have had the car for almost two years and havent changed them yet- the car has 135000 miles on it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm, since you don't know when they were last changed, I would change them anyway. I have a STRONG feeling they are the culptrit.

 

Is there any way to test them to see if that is my real problem?

 

Have you had or heard of any problems like this before?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Si-Luden92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there any way to test them to see if that is my real problem?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Honestly, it's not even worth testing them. They are so inexpensive and they are easy to change. These items are part of the normal wear and tear items. Changing them will make your car perform better and make it more reliable.

Yes, I have experienced this problem before. Once on my old 86 Accord and my mom's old Toyota van.

 

My 92 S does the exact same thing. It seems to only happen when its warm outside though - never really have the problem in the winter. After I shut the car off and try to start it a few min later, sometimes it'll start up then immediately die, not even enough time to go to idle. The starter and battery are obviously ok since its cranking over as it usually does. I'm wondering if its something with the fuel supply, either the pump or the pressure regluator. If not that then maybe the spark plugs. My distributor cap and rotor are not but a few years old maybe, so I hope its not that. I dunno man, maybe someone will know for sure what the deal is because its kinda embarrasing sitting there cranking your car trying to get it to start with people walking all around.

 

could be a number of things
first check to see if you're getting spark,
if you aren't change the cheap stuff first like plugs, cap,
rotor. etc. then go from there if heat is an issue it could
also be the ignitor in the dizzy.

 

Ya Manits, mine seems only to do it when it is hot just like you were saying, its never really a problem when its cold outside. Its only done that thing where it starts up and immiedately dies on me a few times. Usually ill let mine sit for five or ten mins and it will start right up for the most part. Youre right, its really embarrasing when it does that. Try to find out more about the problem and ill do the same. If i find anything out then ill let you know- I was going to replace my distributor cap and rotor for the hell of it this weekend anyways. Has it ever left you really stranded where it wouldnt start at all?

 

Hey SKDRCR, what it the ignitor in the dizzy, ive never heard that used before? Do you know if it is a part that usually causes this problem or fixes it with replacement?

 

No, I've never been left stranded, just frustrated, it always eventually starts up if i keep trying

 

I had the same problem on my 93 vtec, when it was really hot sometimes it would idle really really low then just die when i started it up and sometimes it just wouldnt start.. I replaced my cap and rotors and put new spark plugs in and that did nothing so then I changed my whole distributor and that seemed to work, good luck..

 

do you guys think that it is worth taking my car to the dealer to have them scan it so i can find out exactly whats wrong with it instead of guessing?

do you guys also know if it our cars have ODB2 sensors in them, like the computer sensors that they scan for any problems?

So changing the whole distributor seemed to fix it, has it done that to you since youve changed it?- nblock93 How much was the part.

 

It is the main relay..I have read about this time and time again. My 92 S does it, as well as my 89 CRX. The solder connections losen when the interior gets really hot. The car will just crank and crank. When you turn the ignition one click listen to see if you hear the fuel pump engage. Usually a "click" sound and then a hum. If you dont hear it then turn the key back and retry. Usually after 5 times the fuel pump engages. Now go ahead and start the car. Should start right up. To fix the problem I have hear of people taking apart the main relay and re-soldering the lose connection. Or you can buy a new one for $60. It is hard to get at though, up inside the dash by the steering column.

 

What does the main relay look like and where is it located so i can fix it and end my problems- my car just did it again right now, i went to start it to go to the store and all it did was crank the engine. Man this is so frustrating! If anyone has pics of what it looks like under the dash- that would help a lot. Thnaks all.

 

not to hijack a tread but soem times mine wont start at all cold turns over but wont start does it about once a month is it my injectors? im going to try some of the seafoam stuff here real soon

any input

 

i have the same problem, but with me: it doesn't crank at all! I'll have the clutch down and turn the key but NOHTING. after about 5 minutes it'll crank and come on (but doesn't shut off like, what's happening to you guys) while I'm turning the key. What's going on ?