Accessing Main Relay on 91 Accord?

I need to service the main relay, which is located somewhere
behind the driver's side dash, way up by the change dish.
I have been poking around with a mirror and a flashlight,
and I can't even _see_ this thing.

Can I access it more easily by removing the plastic surround
that runs from the change dish over to the center console?
It's a pain to remove, so I'm hoping someone here has
already tried it and can advise me.

Thanks
-Mark

 

You have to. It's waaay up there above the fuse panel.
They hung it from the factory ceiling and then built the car around
it!

Remove the dash underpanel. Lie on the driver's side floorboards with
your head near the clutch pedal, looking upwards. Experience as a
contortionist helps. Never mind trying to unscrew the screw that holds
the relay to the instrument panel support. Just pry the plastic outer
case apart at the sides and slip the relay assembly out of its cover.
Here's what it looks like:
http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM

 

You have to. It's waaay up there above the fuse panel.
They hung it from the factory ceiling and then built the car around
it!

Remove the dash underpanel. Lie on the driver's side floorboards with
your head near the clutch pedal, looking upwards. Experience as a
contortionist helps. Never mind trying to unscrew the screw that holds
the relay to the instrument panel support. Just pry the plastic outer
case apart at the sides and slip the relay assembly out of its cover.
Here's what it looks like:
http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM

 

if vibration is what helps the joints break, wouldnt it make more sense
to hang the relay off a wiring harness with a zip tie to help absorb
vibration?

 

if vibration is what helps the joints break, wouldnt it make more sense
to hang the relay off a wiring harness with a zip tie to help absorb
vibration?

 

I'm considering placing a little Jesus statue on the dashboard,
and having him cradle the relay in His arms.

-Mark

 

I'm considering placing a little Jesus statue on the dashboard,
and having him cradle the relay in His arms.

-Mark

 

You would think so. Probably a good idea if you're replacing the relay
rather than just re-soldering the PC board.

 

You would think so. Probably a good idea if you're replacing the relay
rather than just re-soldering the PC board.

 

It also helps if you remove the cruise control module (big silver box).

 

It also helps if you remove the cruise control module (big silver box).

 

It's not vibration as much as the "cold solder" joints that crystallize over
time and cause a void around the mounting pins for the relay.

 

It's not vibration as much as the "cold solder" joints that crystallize over
time and cause a void around the mounting pins for the relay.

 

Yep, that was the key. The main relay is directly above it. Removing
the instrument surround didn't help at all. The cooling fan timer unit
is bolted on top of the main relay bracket and I couldn't figure out how
to remove it, so I pried the relay out of the plastic case, as suggested.
One of the solder joints had obvious damage from arcing.
I re-flowed the solder joints and reinstalled the relay, and the car runs
fine.

-Mark

 

Yep, that was the key. The main relay is directly above it. Removing
the instrument surround didn't help at all. The cooling fan timer unit
is bolted on top of the main relay bracket and I couldn't figure out how
to remove it, so I pried the relay out of the plastic case, as suggested.
One of the solder joints had obvious damage from arcing.
I re-flowed the solder joints and reinstalled the relay, and the car runs
fine.

-Mark

 

Absolutely. I couldn't see mine until I removed the cruise control
module.