Relays and starting trouble?

mullaneywt · Newbie Joined: Mar 29, 2004 Posts: 1

I have a 91 Integra GS (309,000) which often has trouble starting in the warm/hot weather. Usually the car just cranks but never turns over, or when it does it somtimes smells like unburnt fuel for the first few seconds. The car has been in to the dealer for the "normal 300,000 mile tune up" (didn't know they would have such a thing) which I believe involved a valve job and fluid changes, problem still occurs. Talked to a friend with a similar car and he said he had to have a starter/fuel relay replaced or the conneciton resoldered. Anyone else experience a similar problem, and if so, which part seemed to fix the problem?

INT3GRA_B18 · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Relays and starting trouble?

lilpill · All-Acura Enthusiast Joined: Apr 07, 2004 Posts: 11

I have a 1991 Acura Legend and I'm having the same problem. It runs awesome and starts up all the time when it's cold but now that were getting warmer weather it will not start sometimes and other times it will start right up. I've been stranded a couple of times due to this problem but I have found that if I wait about five minutes it usually starts right up. I had a friend tell me that I might want to change my starter or check my fuel filter. If I find out a for sure answer I will let you know.

DRGSR · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 8:09 pm Post subject:

It is your main relay. When the main relay goes bad, they do it because moisture in the air gets to the electronics. Replace it for about $50 (a guess) and it should solve the problem. Worked on my CRX.
Carl

Canuck · Newbie Joined: Apr 30, 2004 Posts: 2

I have a 1990 Integra GS with about 200k miles on her. I've been having the exact same problem for a year now. I'm dreading leaving work today cuz its hot out and am worried she won't start up. Usually I find that if I open all the windows and sunroof for a few minutes she eventually starts up.

I have had my distributer cap replaced, the spark plugs upgraded and a few other things and nothing has solved the problem.......

geojim · Newbie Joined: May 09, 2004 Posts: 3

Cold solder joints on the main relay, located under the dash on the driver side, will cause intermittent non-start conditions when the inside of the car gets hot. You can replace the relay, or take the old one apart and simply resoldered the connection on the board inside the relay. I resoldered the relay in my '92 Integra (256K miles) and it now starts every time. It's nice to have this problem fixed as it has been going on for a couple of years.

yippieguy · All-Acura Enthusiast Joined: Mar 17, 2004 Posts: 11

main relay for sure. Cheap to buy and you can do the swap yourslef in under 15 minutes once you find it. (prolly near your other relays by the fuse panel driver's side) you can buy the part (maybe $60 canadian) if you want, or try to take apart the old one and resolder it. I figured for the peace of mind and the "I only wanna do this crap one time" -factor.. I paid for the new part and swapped it out..

issue fixed.

razorback · Newbie Joined: Aug 16, 2004 Posts: 5

I have expirenced the same problem. I have a 93 int. LS 5sp. During hot weather it refuses to start. I have found that pumping the gas pedal while the key is in "ACC" position and then cranking, will fire up momentarily and then die. Several attempts will usually result in it starting. I don't know if this is related, but it has a very low idle at times (won't even register at 500rpm) And on 3 diff. occasions this summer, while driving up a hill at highway speeds (60-80mph) it feels like a 4cyl misfire and then the chk engine light comes on. The light is never on long enough to jump the connecter and read the error codes and I can't reproduce the malfuction. I've replaced the fuel filter and that seemed to fix it for a few days. I'll try replacing the main relay though...