90 honda accord ignition problem!!

[2tonehonda]

Hey guys. I have a standard 1990 honda accord. And for the past couple of months ive been having a problem with the ignition. At times it wants start and it DOES crank like it wants to start but the car wont start. and if i leave for like 20 minutes and try to turn it on it will start....sometimes ill wait a whole day. and its not the alternator or starter or ignition switch because i just replace them.

[mpumas]

Could be many things. Two major categories-ignition or fuel. The first place to start is ignition. According to Honda, you need to test for spark, if no spark, check to insure power to the coil. If power, check the igniter. Checking the igniter consists of using a 12v light bulb (about tail light size) connected to the wires that goes to the coil after disconnecting them. If it flashes when the engine turns over, it is the coil. If it doesn't flash, then it could be the igniter or the ECU or main relay or distributor. Do these tests then get back to us. Most likely the problem is the coil and/or igniter.

[wiseguy01]

check ur distributor cap and rotor but it sounds like ur icm is going out.. icm= ignition control module located inside the distributor when it goes out theres no spark

[ProMan]

Did it happen in hot days? If true, then it's your main relay.

[wiseguy01]

Originally Posted by ProMan

Did it happen in hot days? If true, then it's your main relay.

well when the icm gets hot it stops working to.. so you will be driving doen the street all of a sudden the car shuts off and you automatically think coil and plugs but the forgotten suspect always overlooked is the icm and if you replace wrong thing you will eventually replacing everything because the problem is always the last thing you replace.. or better yet the cps can be bad too so u cant always assume.. a wise guy once taught me that

[tvimage]

I Have A 90 Accord & Was Told That A Common Problem Is That In Hot Weather The Main Fuel Pump Relayrelay Doesn't Work .....the Car Was There For A Muffler & I Began To Explain Starting Issue. He Said Just Open The Doors & Let It Cool Off & It Will Start. It's Getting Cool Now So I Don't Know If He's Correct......hasn't Failed To Start Lately ! Hmmmmm?

[somick]

Originally Posted by tvimage

I Have A 90 Accord & Was Told That A Common Problem Is That In Hot Weather The Main Fuel Pump Relayrelay Doesn't Work .....the Car Was There For A Muffler & I Began To Explain Starting Issue. He Said Just Open The Doors & Let It Cool Off & It Will Start. It's Getting Cool Now So I Don't Know If He's Correct......hasn't Failed To Start Lately ! Hmmmmm?

He is probably a welder and not a mechanic.

Do a search for Main Relay and you will find tons of information on how to diagnose and fix it.

Good luck,

Sam

[punkrockd]

i have a 89 civic that does the same thing. then yesterday it died on the freeway. about 10mins later it started.

i've checked for spark and it always has spark when it wont start. where is the fuel relay located in my car.

[tvimage]

Hot weather is back and my 90 accord is back to not starting when the interior is hot. I removed the interlock relay ( this is the larger unit that sits right below and blocking access to the fuel injector relay...some may call it the main fuel pump relay), smelled it, and recognized a fried electrical smell.
The number on the unit is 36700-SM4-A52. I suspect these were defective and Honda went to a different relay the following year because I can't find this part anywhere except at a dealership ($329.00 !!!). I bought the car for $500.00 & have put about $400.00 into it. I took it out, opened it up and slobbered it with contact cleaner...so far it's working. I've even set the car in the hot sun with windows closed & it will still start. Of course sometime when I'm 500 miles from home the SOB won't work. Anyway, does anyone know a replacememnt part for this unit.

[wiseguy01]

Originally Posted by tvimage

Hot weather is back and my 90 accord is back to not starting when the interior is hot. I removed the interlock relay ( this is the larger unit that sits right below and blocking access to the fuel injector relay...some may call it the main fuel pump relay), smelled it, and recognized a fried electrical smell.
The number on the unit is 36700-SM4-A52. I suspect these were defective and Honda went to a different relay the following year because I can't find this part anywhere except at a dealership ($329.00 !!!). I bought the car for $500.00 & have put about $400.00 into it. I took it out, opened it up and slobbered it with contact cleaner...so far it's working. I've even set the car in the hot sun with windows closed & it will still start. Of course sometime when I'm 500 miles from home the SOB won't work. Anyway, does anyone know a replacememnt part for this unit.

try going to the junkyard and removing one off a 90-93 accord and if its a 93 try and take the wiring loom so you can slpice it in to your 90 i have a 93 lx and i dont have any of these probs so i think 93 is a good year shouldnt be much difference between the models if so you have to customize and solder in the new relay from a newer model its just a relay that is getting stuck so try that and who knows maybe the 93 relay has the same plug as the 90 i have found alot of stuff on 90-93 accords that worked out for me so good luck

[mpumas]

The part number you stated is not the main/fuel relay. I think the part number you mentioned has something to do with the cruise control. It is listed as a controller. The main relay is not complicated and is composed of 2 relays mounted on a circuit board. It is on the drivers side kickpanel way above the fuse box under the dash. The cost should be under $100 new but many times it can be repaired. The problem on the defective units centered around poor solder joints on the relays holding it to the circuit board. Try fixing it before buying a new one. Check Majestic or San Leandro Honda websitefor part numbers.