So I had the usual issue with the car not starting right after being driven, and eventually it wouldn't start at all when cold either. Replaced the main relay and it worked normally again. Now I'm finding that it is having trouble starting when cold again.. When I turn the key to the second position, I see the check engine light come on as normal and the seatbelt chimes but I don't hear the fuel pump prime. It seems to activate when the car is cranking but it is taking around 5 seconds of cranking before it starts.

My question: are there any other relays which could be dying causing this? I have a complete spare of the interior fuse box but I don't want to bother replacing the other relays if it won't help.

 

pgm fi main relay controls the fuel pump..

i am in no way saying this is your problem,but it kinda sounds like the fuel pump is going out and the "no start on cold" is probably a lack of fuel pressure..

on a cold start,you need to prime it about 5-6 times before actually cranking it over and if that helps,you probably have a bad fuel pump..

 

Damn. OK I'll try replacing the pump this week when I get a chance and I'll see what happens. Heck I'll also grab another main relay in case I ended up with a dud.

 

did you try priming it a few times before a cold start?

 

When it was happening the first time I was just priming it once before cranking (mostly). When I do cold starts for now I can try priming a few times first and listening for the pump.

 

Did you replace it with a Honda unit or aftermarket

 

The main relay? It was pulled from another car at the wreckers and looked identical.

 

The PGM-FI Main Relay is a common problem in older Honda/Acura and most times an easy fix, it would not surprize me if the used PGM-FI Main Realy also had a problem.

PM me if you need a hand, I live in Rutland and the shop is behind Budget rent a car. 94

 

No worries, I once had to replace the fuel pump in my old prelude on the side of Gordon Drive so this isn't new to me

That one died instantly with no warning signs so it made me think something else was the issue. I'll snag another main relay from PNP when I go for a fuel pump though anyway.

 

You should find out what the problem is before you go getting more parts and tossing them at the problem, the problem may be as simple as a defective fuse or a poor ground. 94

 

I had already upgraded the grounds when I got it. I might poke around the fuses just to see. This is zero dollar car and it isn't going to get much more than that.

 

You guys want to hear something funny? I spent the last few years thinking the ICU box on the back of the fuse box was the main relay. So... I have yet to actually replace the main relay to resolve this issue.

I'm going to turn in my tools and cry.

 

There is an easy fix for the relays... http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

If you have problems pop by the shop... http://www.airwolfeautoair.com/ 94

 

I actually ended up having a spare in my shop. Must have grabbed it from PNP for some reason without knowing it was the main relay. Did the swap last night and I've had no issues since so I think I'm good to go.