90 prelude si sometimes doesnt want to start

[Pottlum]

I have a 90 prelude si with about 110k miles on it. sometimes if i have been driving and turn the engine off and try to start it a few minutes later (like when i get gas or run into a store real quick) it doesnt want to start. It will turn over fine but wont start. The problem isn't electrical so I'm thinking it has somnething to do with the fuel. I have taken it to the mechanic and they don't know what the problem is. I was wondering if replacing the fuel filter or injector would fix this problem. Could it have something to do with the spark plugs or wires?

[sofast]

It could definitly have something to do with fuel and spark. If you havent changed them in a while its probably time. Dont buy the cheapest plugs known to man(Bosch). NGK is what is recomended for Honda. You may spend .50 more a plug but you will have the right plugs. then wires dist. cap and rotor. You may wrap up $50 into a tune up and fuel filter but its stuff that needs to be done to prolong the life of your ride.

[BIAR]

It sounds like the main relay is intermidant.Carl

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by BIAR

It sounds like the main relay is intermidant.Carl

Exactally what it is. MAIN RELAY! buy a new one from honda or take it off and re-solder the old one. If your sitting in your car it is attached to your fuse box on the left hand side.

[Haipong]

Originally Posted by Pottlum

I have a 90 prelude si with about 110k miles on it. sometimes if i have been driving and turn the engine off and try to start it a few minutes later (like when i get gas or run into a store real quick) it doesnt want to start. It will turn over fine but wont start. The problem isn't electrical so I'm thinking it has somnething to do with the fuel. I have taken it to the mechanic and they don't know what the problem is. I was wondering if replacing the fuel filter or injector would fix this problem. Could it have something to do with the spark plugs or wires?

Did you do any work or mods on your car before this problem? does it runs fine when get it started? if so, could be just your car alarm, maybe its fucked up.

[chucksnee]

A quick way to check if it your MAIN RELAY is turn your key on (don't start it) does your check engine light go out? If it does not then it's your main relay, if it goes out then it's something else.

[TypeGsR]

if its a main relay hondas use the same ones alot so just take ur horn or something and put it were u wanna and if it runs then its a relay if it dosent then its something else

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by TypeGsR

if its a main relay hondas use the same ones alot so just take ur horn or something and put it were u wanna and if it runs then its a relay if it dosent then its something else

Please don't do this, those relay's might be the same on other honda's but DON"T DO IT ON YOUR 3rd GEN! ITS not the same!

[juniperala]

I've read so many posts and I am starting to get an idea of what might be
the problem, but I want to be sure before I start putting time into this.
I've paid mechanics around $300, replaced the battery, starter, and
alternator all within the last year and a half, and had a tuneup on the
car last week, all in an attempt to chase this problem down. All winter in
Colorado it behaved fine, but now that I am down here in Houston and the
weather is starting to warm up again, I deal with it almost every day.

Here's how it goes:

1) After a long drive (at least 20-30 min) if I turn off the car and run
into a store or something, the car won't start. When I turn the key, the
radio comes on, all the lights in the dash turn on, everything beeps, yada
yada, I do hear a "click" but the thing won't even turn over. If I leave
it
for at least an hour and then come back to it, it turns on no problem. So
far I think this has only been at night though.

2) If it's hot out, and my car has been sitting around for at least an
hour, maybe even 8 hours - say while I'm at work, it does the same thing
as above. One time when it had been sitting for 8 hours, I tried to start
it several times with no luck, then held the hood open while trying to
start it and it started fine. But then I tried this trick after the
situation in #1 happened again, and it didn't work.

3) Sometimes, though, the car will turn over and over and over and over
but not start, or it will start but then die instantly (it's a manual
trans) and then not turn over at all with subsequent attempts.

So, some things that are going on make me think it's the main relay, while
others make me think it's the igniter/something with the ignition system.

Can anyone help me differentiate? I've given up taking the car to
mechanics to try to figure this out, because for one thing they can't even
duplicate the no-start problem! and I would really like to not have to
take
time/$$ to troubleshoot both possibilities.

Please help!!! Thanks...

[GTOLover]

Just about guarantee it's the main relay. You should be able to hear the fuel pump when you turn the key on without starting it. It runs for 2 seconds each time the key is turned to the on position. When it won't start you won't hear this if it's the relay problem. The 2 second pumping loads the injectors. I had this happen on a 85 Honda Accord long ago and most recently my Acura Legend. Try it when you think the car will start and listen for the pump. If you hear the pump the car will start. If not it either won't start at all or it will start for a split second. The relay is repairable if you are up for it but it is easier to spend the $30 to 60 and change it your self.

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by chucksnee

A quick way to check if it your MAIN RELAY is turn your key on (don't start it) does your check engine light go out? If it does not then it's your main relay, if it goes out then it's something else.

This is all you have to do to see if your main relay is the problem.

[GTOLover]

Originally Posted by chucksnee

This is all you have to do to see if your main relay is the problem.

Chucksnee:
FYI My Legend check engine light was turning off and the relay needed resoldering. I don't think that is a reliable way to check it. I hooked up a volt meter to the connection on the fuel tank/pump and it would register voltage some of the time and not some of the time. But each time the check engine light would turn off as it should. Resoldering relay solved the problem.

[Pottlum]

Originally Posted by Haipong

Did you do any work or mods on your car before this problem? does it runs fine when get it started? if so, could be just your car alarm, maybe its fucked up.

No mods done (yet). After it starts it runs just fine. I oredered a new relay from honda so hopefully this resolve the problem. Thank for all the info guys!!

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by GTOLover

Chucksnee:
FYI My Legend check engine light was turning off and the relay needed resoldering. I don't think that is a reliable way to check it. I hooked up a volt meter to the connection on the fuel tank/pump and it would register voltage some of the time and not some of the time. But each time the check engine light would turn off as it should. Resoldering relay solved the problem.

I'm not talking about an Legend, i'm talking strictly Honda.

On a honda, espically an 88-89 prelude that is an extremely good way to know if your main relay is the problem.

I know nothing about an Acura.

[speedlude]

iv been having the exact same problem with my lude like after i finish school it take about 10 mins of starting my car in the heat and only happens in the heat

and another thing chucksnee honda makes legends aswell.