Whenever its really hot out and sunny (90 plus degrees) and my car's been sitting out for a while, it sometimes has a hard time starting. The engine will crank over and over, but nothing happens. After I let the interior cool off for a few minutes (between 5-15 minutes) by opening the doors it will eventually start. I've noticed that this happens more often when my car's low on gas too.

I was told a while ago that this was caused by bad circuitry in the fuel relay, under the dash and that replacing it would solve the problem. Does this sound like the case? If so, how hard to replace is this? Would it be a simple case of unplugging the old one and popping in a new one?

Thanks for any advice.

 

that would most likly be your prob...its not really that hard to replace...just gotta take out a bunch of interior panels out, inplug the relay and plug in the new one

 

should definitely fix the problem, happe4ned to me on my 90 civic dx hatch and my 92 accord ex

 

Sounds good, I'll look into fixing it more seriously now.

 

yeah replacing the relay should fix your problem.. as it ages the solders and connections crack or something.. this was a common problem on our 91 accord.. and you could get it back home the same way.. opening the doors and letting the interior cool off.. just replace the relay and you should be good for a few more years...

 

you can also take the relay out and pop off the cover and resolder all the connections. this worked for me.

 

if you need another one get it from the junkyard. 92-95 civics and integra's use the same relays.

 

Thanks for the info, but the only junkyard around here enjoys ripping off everyone, they're expensive in my experience at least.

So how much does a new relay go for, anyone know? I've heard about $50.

 

Just had the same problem with my '89 Si.

Pull out the main relay and take it apart. Look at the board for cracked solder on the pins. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look closely at each solder joint for a small ring or hairline crack around each pin. Resolder them all (might as well) and give it a try.

Hope you haven't gotten majorly stranded yet like I did.

HTH

[e] For my civic Honda quoted me ~$70 for the relay.


[Modified by sackdz, 12:55 AM 6/19/2002]

 

I have the EXACT same problem. Can someone give me some detailed instructions on where the relay is so that I can change it out myself? How much should I have to pay for one of these relays? Thanks.

 

bump

 

anybody have pics of this relay?

 

This sounds like the same problem i've been having with my 94 integra. Starts fine in the morning and runs fine but later in the day it won't start up. Will turn over like but its like no fuel is getting in, I don't even think the fuel pump is clicking on.

Now would this problem with the relay (if that is the problem) also cause the car to quit running? So far the problem is only starting it up, and once its going it runs fine. Is that the way it is for you? or does it also want to quit on you once you get it going?

 

yes the car runs fine after it has started

 

For me I didn't have to remove any dash panels. The fuel relay is under the dash board, to the left of the steering wheel. If you go buy a new one ($50 or so at the Acura dealership) it'll be easy to find the old one. It was easy to put the new one in, but I couldn't disconnect the old one from some other attachment for some reason, so I just left it under there, haha.

Car's been running fine these past 2 yrs, doesn't do it anymore.

 

can someone please show me a pic of what this thing looks like? When I go to the acura dealer do i ask for a "main relay" a "fuel relay"? what do i ask for?

 

bump for last question

 

No need to replace your relay for $49.00 from honda/acura

Fix it for less then $5.00

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Its called a Main Relay. It actually consists of two separate relays. The first one supplies battery voltage to the ecu, power to the injectors and power for the second relay. The second relay supplies power to the fuel pump.

 

So did you fix your problem?

 

ok my main relay part is on its way to me throught the mail right now but...my car won't even turn over now.

Usually, after the car cools off it would start. However, my car has been inside the garage for an entire day and I went out to start it and it DOES NOT EVEN CRANK.

Could this still be the main relay's fault? I gues I will put the new main relay in when it gets here. Any insight?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xstalkrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok my main relay part is on its way to me throught the mail right now but...my car won't even turn over now.

Usually, after the car cools off it would start. However, my car has been inside the garage for an entire day and I went out to start it and it DOES NOT EVEN CRANK.

Could this still be the main relay's fault? I gues I will put the new main relay in when it gets here. Any insight?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

i think its a 15 or 20 dollar part from acura. happend on my 93 DA and my 88 prelude. its just due to bad connections accross the relay polls. it sucks, but my new relay works everytime for the past two years. as relays get old they go bad, just like everything else.

 

my engine doesnt even crank anymore...can the relay still be the problem?

I replaced the starter like 3 months ago so that cannot be the problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xstalkrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my engine doesnt even crank anymore...can the relay still be the problem?

I replaced the starter like 3 months ago so that cannot be the problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>