1990 Honda Civic Intermittent Start Problem

My wife’s car has a starting problem that I can’t seem to solve. We are the original owners of her 1990 Honda Civic LX Sedan with 276879 miles. The vehicle is in great condition with the exception of this year long problem that has become progressively worse during the last month. Hot or cold the vehicle will intermittently start. The engine rotates but will not start. After 5 minutes it starts right up. I’ve done a self diagnosis observing the ECU and the LED flashes 16 times indicating faulty fuel injectors. So far, I’ve replace the fuel injectors with 2 used ones with 153k miles and the fuel pressure regulator without resolve. The fuel pump and alternator have been checked and are operating properly. Last month I replaced the distributor with a used one with 128k miles due to an unrelated problem and put on new spark plugs and wires. Do you think changing the main relay and/or putting in new fuel injectors would solve this problem.

Please help before my wife kills me. PS-I am by no means a mechanic. The Haynes Repair Manual has been guiding me thus far.

well, I doubt it's the main relay because typically when the main relay goes, the car will initially start fine, but after driving a short distance, you turn the car off, and shortly thereafter, it won't start for a while...

Your problem sounds relatively similar to the problem in my sedan. I haven't really messed with it yet, so I can't be of much help there.

You may want to check the fuel filter if you haven't already.

yes im 98% sure its the main relay mine did the same some times it didnt start because it was hot outside, u dont have to drive it to see if its the main relay, the main relay acts up even if the car is turned off(if its real bad) i sugest buying a new one it costs around 60-80$$ but if u want have a friend lend u his relay and check.

yes im 98% sure its the main relay mine did the same some times it didnt start because it was hot outside, u dont have to drive it to see if its the :smile: main relay, the main relay acts up even if the car is turned off(if its real bad) i sugest buying a new one it costs around 60-80$$ but if u want have a friend lend u his relay and check.
Hey, thanks for that awesome diagnosis of my starting problem. You hit it dead center. I replaced the main relay and the intermittent starting has disappeared. Lord willing, I hope to drive it for another 100k. One other problem-now that its fixed and I don’t have to entertain getting my wife a new car, how do I keep her from killing me? Great job. Again thanks you so much.