90 Accord serious starting problem...please help!

Ambassador7 · #1 08-02-2005, 03:34 PM

My car has been having trouble lately. First went the VSS and honda wanted $600-700 to fix it along with my main relay. I replaced the VSS for only $40 (ebay cost). However, I am thinking now that my other problem was not the main relay...even though most forums have led me to this guess. Here's what is happening:

It starts and runs perfectly, but when I leave it out in the sun....specifically out in the sun and it gets all hot inside...it will turn over easily but won't fire up. Ocassionally when this happens it will start and then quickly cut out and then I'll have to wait a while till it cools off and it will start. Or if I would hook up cables to it the car would start. The honda tech said this was because it would then give it enough "juice" to power the fuel pump. So everything pointed to the main relay but I took it out and tested it and it was fine. All the solder points were fine. So I drilled 4 holes in the housing to help it vent just in case and put the relay back in.

Then just today I was driving with cruise on going about 65mph and the cruise light went off and the speedo started descending. That's when I realized that the engine just cut out! It won't start! It makes a totally different noise when trying to turn over. It sounds a lot weaker, however I do here the relay click and the fuel pump turn on. It makes a weak attempt to start with a sort of clicking noise.

What could this be? (searching says that it could be the coil, ignitor, or ECU?) Keep in mind that nothing has been done to fix the original starting problem when it gets hot from the sun. And now this? Could they be related? Anyone have this happen?

Chris

Ambassador7 · #2 08-02-2005, 09:29 PM

battery and alternator are fine...and i checked to see if i am getting a spark and I am NOT getting a spark. I also noticed that the plug wires are pretty coroded on the inside there by the distributor? Could that be it, Or would it most likely be the coil and or igniter?

also, what else would be affected by the sun that would temporarily prevent power to the main relay and thus to the fuel pump?

Deadhead · #3 08-02-2005, 11:26 PM

well, with your car dying like that, you should probably change your plug wires if they are that bad. When was the last time you had a tune up?

Also, with your car not starting when it's hot, i had a similar problem where after i got gas and tried to get the car started again, the TW sensor would try and do a cold start and it would dump too much fuel in. Are you getting a fuel smell when you crank over your engine when it won't start?

Ambassador7 · #4 08-02-2005, 11:57 PM

getting new plug wires...and no its not the ECTS. best guess is the coil and or ignitor, but I am going to see if honda will give me a new distributor since these were recalled. and maybe the main relay harness could be defective?

jeffcoslacker · #5 08-03-2005, 08:14 AM

I'm leaning toward defective ignition switch here...

jeffcoslacker · #6 08-03-2005, 08:16 AM

Try beating on the top of the column with your fist while cranking the motor, see what happens.

Wouldn't be the first one I've seen go out on a Honda.

ProMan · #7 08-03-2005, 09:51 AM

It is your main relay. Why do you think it's not? Did you take it off and check it?

jesus058 · #8 08-03-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProMan

It is your main relay. Why do you think it's not? Did you take it off and check it?

The main relay; Where is located?

Thanks

ProMan · #9 08-03-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus058

The main relay; Where is located?

Thanks

http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/ele.../main-relay.htm

jesus058 · #10 08-03-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProMan

http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/ele.../main-relay.htm

Proman:

Can't acces web page

Thanks again

ProMan · #11 08-03-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus058

Proman:

Can't acces web page

Thanks again

Let's try again.

http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/elec...main-relay.htm

jesus058 · #12 08-03-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProMan

Let's try again.

http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/elec...main-relay.htm

Got It !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the hint.

I'll keep you posted o the results.

Ambassador7 · #13 08-03-2005, 02:29 PM

i said above that i took it out and checked the solder points...then i did the test to see if there was continuity. it tested fine. while trying to start it, it seems to be making a totally different noise then before it stalled.

im looking into that ignition switch jeffcoslacker

Ambassador7 · #14 08-03-2005, 02:33 PM

beat on console while cranking...nothing (same)

Ambassador7 · #15 08-07-2005, 05:29 PM

still no spark...anyone?

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