Hi All,

My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
found -
- when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
- when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
the fp is shutting down
- when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
but can't.
- tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.

Please help me determine what could be broken.
I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
probabaly break soon anyway!)

TIA.

Raj

 

good chance that's it. especially if you just had a very hot or cold
day (relay). it could start working just as fast as it stopped
working. try again when the relay might have gotten to a more normal
temperature. after changing it it will probably start right up as
usual.

On 5 Dec 2003 12:14:09 -0800, planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote:

>Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
>thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
>relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
>found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
>whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
>beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
>the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
>but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
>Please help me determine what could be broken.
>I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
>probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
>TIA.
>
>Raj

 

good chance that's it. especially if you just had a very hot or cold
day (relay). it could start working just as fast as it stopped
working. try again when the relay might have gotten to a more normal
temperature. after changing it it will probably start right up as
usual.

On 5 Dec 2003 12:14:09 -0800, planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote:

>Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
>thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
>relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
>found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
>whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
>beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
>the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
>but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
>Please help me determine what could be broken.
>I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
>probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
>TIA.
>
>Raj

 

good chance that's it. especially if you just had a very hot or cold
day (relay). it could start working just as fast as it stopped
working. try again when the relay might have gotten to a more normal
temperature. after changing it it will probably start right up as
usual.

On 5 Dec 2003 12:14:09 -0800, planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote:

>Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
>thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
>relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
>found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
>whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
>beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
>the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
>but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
>Please help me determine what could be broken.
>I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
>probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
>TIA.
>
>Raj

 

good chance that's it. especially if you just had a very hot or cold
day (relay). it could start working just as fast as it stopped
working. try again when the relay might have gotten to a more normal
temperature. after changing it it will probably start right up as
usual.

On 5 Dec 2003 12:14:09 -0800, planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote:

>Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
>thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
>relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
>found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
>whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
>beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
>the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
>but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
>Please help me determine what could be broken.
>I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
>probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
>TIA.
>
>Raj

 

planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote in
news:7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.c om:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

Here's how to FIX the main relay,and save yourself some money($50)

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

resoldering it is easy,takes about 0.5 hr

Eliminate it as a problem if something else is.

--
Jim Yanik,NRA member
jyanik-at-kua.net

 

planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote in
news:7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.c om:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

Here's how to FIX the main relay,and save yourself some money($50)

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

resoldering it is easy,takes about 0.5 hr

Eliminate it as a problem if something else is.

--
Jim Yanik,NRA member
jyanik-at-kua.net

 

planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote in
news:7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.c om:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

Here's how to FIX the main relay,and save yourself some money($50)

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

resoldering it is easy,takes about 0.5 hr

Eliminate it as a problem if something else is.

--
Jim Yanik,NRA member
jyanik-at-kua.net

 

planet_first@yahoo.com (Raj) wrote in
news:7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.c om:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

Here's how to FIX the main relay,and save yourself some money($50)

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

resoldering it is easy,takes about 0.5 hr

Eliminate it as a problem if something else is.

--
Jim Yanik,NRA member
jyanik-at-kua.net

 

Raj wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

--------------------------------------

Raj,

Try turning the key to the ON position, and wait until the lamp test is
finished. Then smack the dash with your fist and see if the fuel pump
runs. If so, it's the relay all right. Your car will now start, but may
not run consistently.

'Curly'
-----------------------

 

Raj wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

--------------------------------------

Raj,

Try turning the key to the ON position, and wait until the lamp test is
finished. Then smack the dash with your fist and see if the fuel pump
runs. If so, it's the relay all right. Your car will now start, but may
not run consistently.

'Curly'
-----------------------

 

Raj wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

--------------------------------------

Raj,

Try turning the key to the ON position, and wait until the lamp test is
finished. Then smack the dash with your fist and see if the fuel pump
runs. If so, it's the relay all right. Your car will now start, but may
not run consistently.

'Curly'
-----------------------

 

Raj wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj

--------------------------------------

Raj,

Try turning the key to the ON position, and wait until the lamp test is
finished. Then smack the dash with your fist and see if the fuel pump
runs. If so, it's the relay all right. Your car will now start, but may
not run consistently.

'Curly'
-----------------------

 

On 12/5/03 14:14, in article
7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.com, "Raj"
<planet_first@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj


These guys in the group just helped me with a faulty main relay last week,
so I'll pass on a little of what I learned.

You mention the click when the "check engine" shut off. Mine had the same
click, even though the relay wasn't working properly. It is a rather
complicated relay, actually two in one, with one dependent upon the other.
If either switch fails, the car won't run.

I think the easiest test is to pull the connector and put two jumper wires
in place of the relay. On my '91 *Civic*, they connect from 1-3, and 5-7.
I can only guess that it is the same on your Accord. I'll try to draw a
picture of the connector.


_______
________|_______|________
|_2__|__4___|___6__|__8__|
|_1__|__3___|___5__|__7__|


It's up to you if you want to drive with these in place. The big danger is
the fuel pump will keep running if you crash, possibly creating a big fire.
The other caution is to disconnect wires when not driving.

Good luck,

Jason

 

On 12/5/03 14:14, in article
7690289c.0312051214.3aec7a93@posting.google.com, "Raj"
<planet_first@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> My 91 Accord with 146K miles won't start since 2 days. I browsed
> thru' the NG and I found that the symptoms match the famous "main
> relay" problem. So last night I tried more diagnosis. Here' what I
> found -
> - when I turned the key to run, I couln't hear the fuel pump
> whirring. It is posssible that it is running and I couldn't hear it
> beacuse of road noise (heavy traffic)
> - when the "check engine" shuts off, I hear a click; so I *guess*
> the fp is shutting down
> - when I turn the key to start, it sounds like it *wants* to start
> but can't.
> - tried to jump from my Odyssey as well as from AAA guy to no avail.
>
> Please help me determine what could be broken.
> I plan to replace the MR anyway tomorrow (what the heck, it will
> probabaly break soon anyway!)
>
> TIA.
>
> Raj


These guys in the group just helped me with a faulty main relay last week,
so I'll pass on a little of what I learned.

You mention the click when the "check engine" shut off. Mine had the same
click, even though the relay wasn't working properly. It is a rather
complicated relay, actually two in one, with one dependent upon the other.
If either switch fails, the car won't run.

I think the easiest test is to pull the connector and put two jumper wires
in place of the relay. On my '91 *Civic*, they connect from 1-3, and 5-7.
I can only guess that it is the same on your Accord. I'll try to draw a
picture of the connector.


_______
________|_______|________
|_2__|__4___|___6__|__8__|
|_1__|__3___|___5__|__7__|


It's up to you if you want to drive with these in place. The big danger is
the fuel pump will keep running if you crash, possibly creating a big fire.
The other caution is to disconnect wires when not driving.

Good luck,

Jason