Jim Yanik wrote:
> Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
> news:zk%ye.68$%y1.22054@twister.southeast.rr.com:
>
>
>>Jim Yanik wrote:
>>
>>>Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
>>>news:kqGye.58932$Oi4.588428@twister.southeast.r r.com:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Car: 1990 Honda Civic LX, 5-speed, 1.5L SOHC DPFI.
>>>>
>>>>Question: Can anyone explain, or point me to a site that explains,
>>>>the exact functions the main relay is responsible for?
>>>>
>>>>Here is the reason why I ask. My main relay is screwed up, because
>>>>it will not start when it's hot. I have to reach down and squeeze
>>>>the crap out of it while pressing the clutch and turning the key for
>>>>my engine to fire.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and
>>>ELIMINATE the main relay as a trouble source?
>>>Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>>>
>>
>>Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
>>could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?
>>
>>Jonathan
>
>
> "sputtering" could be bad plug wires,bad distributor cap/rotor,maybe
> ignition coil breaking down,a bad igniter module.Maybe even a clogged or
> sticking fuel injector,which might explain that trouble code you mentioned
> in another post.
>
> But you have to eliminate known problems first(MR),and test one thing at a
> time.
>
Distributor cap, plugs, and wires are brand-new, less than 3 months old.
I have an almost-new coil and igniter that I suppose I could
replace. (My distributor has been replaced, and my old distributor that
"died" has the almost-new coil and igniter in it. I left the coil and
igniter that came in the used, but working, distributor that's in my car
now)

UPDATE: Resoldering the main relay did indeed fix the starting problem,
but the sputtering is still present. I will admit it seems not to be
quite as bad. I suppose I need to get a timing light...

Thanx again to everyone for all your help! :-)

Jonathan

P.S. There were 4 cracked dry joints that I had to resolder.