1991 Honda problem staying started

rdgrajeda · #1 Mar 1, 2006, 10:52 PM

Here's my problem:
1991 Honda Accord starts when key is turn, but stalls just as quickly. After car has sat for a while, it will turn on and run. My friend is having the same problem with her 91 honda accord. Mine is a 5 speed, hers is an automatic.
When this first starting happening, I had the fuel pump and gas filter in the tank replaced, but several hours after driving it, the same thing happen. I really haven't noticed if it is really weather related. It has happen on cold and hot days. Does this sound like a "main relay" problem? Any advice would be appreciated.
Oh, the last time it did this, I kept the key turned a little longer than I usually do and it stayed running, my husband thought this had nothing to do with it. It hasn't happen in several days, so I haven't been able to try it again. But I know, as soon as I run into a gas station or a 7-11 store for a quick stop, it will happen again!

CroCivic91 · Mar 2, 2006, 02:49 AM

This might be caused by a bad main relay, as well as a faulty ignition switch. I'd have your husband read the FAQ here and try to resolder the main relay first, and if that fails, i'd have him check the ignition switch.

Try doing this: turn the key to position "II" and listen for a humming sound in the trunk (it's your fuel pump working), and after that you'll hear a *click* under your dash. If that click is heard, your car will most likely start. If you do not hear a *click* your car will most likely stall as soon as you start it, or will not start at all.

Another thing - your main relay has to cool off if you've driven your car, allowing it's joints to "shrink" a bit and conduct electricity again. To speed this up, open your doors when it won't start. Main relay is located left of your left knee (when you sit in the driver's seat) and opening the door will allow cold air to reach it sooner.

The thing is that hot weather outside means that the inside of your car will get pretty hot, and will cause main relay's joints to "widen" (sorry, i'm missing the right word here) and not conduct electricity the way it should. It can also happen on cold days, if you turn on heavy heating inside your car.

On a side note - i'm pretty confident this is only a main relay issue. If you need any more help, do feel free to write here or contact me on Yahoo or ICQ. You have my details in my profile.

rdgrajeda · Mar 3, 2006, 08:50 PM

Thanks for replying. We will try doing this, this weekend. So far it's been staying on.

Roberta



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