I have a 92 honda accord driving down the road the car dies and then restarts, I noticed a lot of oil leaking areound the dist. so replace it with a new one, driving home last night the car died again but wouldn't restart, talking to several people the say the main relay gets hot and needs to be replaced, after I waited an hour the car restarted! Does this sound right?

The problem may be that you replaced the distributor with a new aftermarket distributor, instead of a genuine Honda distributor. Over 50% of new aftermarket distributors don't work out of the box--even more fail later. That has been the experience at AMHD.

I recommend using a genuine Honda distributor housing and then installing an aftermarket Ignition Control Module and coil, in order to keep the cost down.

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Originally Posted by TxGreaseMonkey

The problem may be that you replaced the distributor with a new aftermarket distributor, instead of a genuine Honda distributor. Over 50% of new aftermarket distributors don't work out of the box--even more fail later. That has been the experience at AMHD.

I recommend using a genuine Honda distributor housing and then installing an aftermarket Ignition Control Module and coil, in order to keep the cost down.

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What do you think about the main relay? I was told they get hot and go bad, after contacting several shops the spacialize in hondas they said it's a commen problem and most of them stocked several! Also, why would if it is the dist. restart after it cooled down, I wouldn't think it would restart?

Many electrical components will work when they are cool but break down under load (heat). Typically, Ignition Control Modules, coils, and internal distributor sensors (CKP, TDC, and CYL), which are intermittently failing, are more likely to work when cool than hot.

If the CEL comes on and goes off after two seconds, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II), the problem is distributor-related.

Problems with main relays usually occur in the summer. Everything is fine in the morning and then when it warms up, later in the day, the engine won't start. Typically, main relays don't cause the engine to die while you're driving down the road. Main relay issues usually keep you from starting the engine when the ambient temperature rises during the day. Distributor problems usually cause sudden engine death, while driving.

Try replacing the main relay, since they are easy to install. It may solve your problem, but I'm skeptical. My bet is that you will need to exchange the distributor for another one, if it came with a warranty.

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Originally Posted by TxGreaseMonkey

Go ahead and try replacing the main relay, since they are easy to install. It may solve your problem, but I'm skeptical. My bet is that you will need to exchange the distributor for another one, if it came with a warranty.

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I think I will replace both, If that doesn't work what would you recommend?

I think that would certainly solve the problem, provided the distributor housing was made by Honda. I've seen people (professional mechanics) install numerous aftermarket distributors on Hondas that did not work--their disbelief went through the roof.

There are very few parts that I recommend that you go to Honda for--this is one of them. You can buy Honda parts online for less than your local dealer.
Aftermarket distributors for Hondas are the only part that causes big time problems with AMHD members.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TxGreaseMonkey

I think that would certainly solve the problem, provided the distributor housing was made by Honda. I've seen people (professional mechanics) install numerous aftermarket distributors on Hondas that did not work--their disbelief went through the roof.

There are very few parts that I recommend that you go to Honda for--this is one of them. You can buy Honda parts online for less than your local dealer.

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How commen are cam and crank sensors on these?

The internal distributor sensors, of which the crankshaft position sensor is one, are at the heart of the problem with aftermarket Honda distributors. For some reason, they can't get it right. It doesn't seem to matter whether they are rebuilts or otherwise.

I inspected my main relay after replacing it but it doesn't look bad?

I don't believe the main relay is your problem, since it's winter and your CEL goes on and off normally. Problems with Honda/Acura main relays are exaggerated on the internet.

Where did the new distributor come from that you installed?