Extra Main Relay did not solve the problem!

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Red Cloud, Jul 9, 2004.

  1. Red Cloud

    Red Cloud Guest

    I don't know if the original talk about main relay (89-91 civic/accord
    default) here gave a solution to my car starting up problem. They said
    it's main relay problem. I'm getting doubt it. I put another main
    relay when my car was not starting up right. Well I got the same
    result. I have had to wait 30 minutes to start up the car. There is a
    dead silence when trying to start up. The starting motor does not
    even turn over. It seems to be the problem lies in some kind of
    electrical contact that something is not contact right. Distributor???

    The manual says something about the starter sending a signal to ECU
    depends on the engine tempature. I'm assuming that hot engine
    tempature
    is reason why the starter does not turn over. No wonder I have had to
    wait to cool down.
     
    Red Cloud, Jul 9, 2004
    #1
  2. People said main relay based on your description. Unless I'm mistaken,
    this is the first we've heard that the starter doesn't even turn the engine
    over and that's likely nothing to do with the distributor. Check battery
    cables and connections, especially the ground which (usually) goes under
    the battery shelf and across, via a strap, to the transmission. Do you
    hear a click from the starter solenoid when you turn the key to "Start"?
    Have someone else turn the key and listen under the hood. Check the
    voltage at the battery and the starter/solenoid when the key is turned to
    Start.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jul 9, 2004
    #2
  3. Red Cloud

    Red Cloud Guest

    Ok. I will check the battery and listen to the starter solenoid.

    yeah, George, I believe the problem on starter/solenoid. Let me ask
    this
    why my car has to cool before start the engine. If the car is hot,
    does not start right away. Do you know if hot engine is not good to
    activate the starter/solenoid right?
     
    Red Cloud, Jul 10, 2004
    #3
  4. Red Cloud

    Randolph Guest

    For the vast majority of materials, including the copper in the starter
    solenoid, resistance increases with higher temperature. Higher
    resistance means less current, assuming the voltage is the same. Thus if
    your starter solenoid is marginal when cool, it may not work at all when
    hot.
     
    Randolph, Jul 10, 2004
    #4
  5. It could be a small amount of dirt in the solenoid's path - just enough to
    jam it when hot and the clearance is slightly different. It also could be
    just a quirk of high current systems in a car. I've seen cars which would
    start fine as long as the air was not humid - a bit of rain and/or high
    humidity was enough to impede the ground path back to the battery by enough
    that there was insufficient voltage/current to throw the solenoid. The
    solution was to take off the ground strap connections, clean them up,
    grease with vaseline and retighten.

    Check the cables and connections to the starter/solenoid and the ground
    straps and their connections first before you attack the starter/solenoid.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jul 11, 2004
    #5
  6. Red Cloud

    Red Cloud Guest


    I heard the click on solenoid when it did not start up. So the
    problem might be on starter motor and/or flywheel. The gear of start
    motor and/or flywheel
    gear might worn out. Flywheel replacement is big job, isn't it?
     
    Red Cloud, Jul 11, 2004
    #6
  7. Red Cloud

    motsco_ _ Guest


    ++++++++++++++

    If it was the gear or the flywheel teeth, all your neighbors would have
    told you already. That problem can be heard all across town.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Jul 11, 2004
    #7
  8. The click tells that *some* electrical umm, oomph is getting to the
    solenoid. The solenoid may not be getting enough of a kick to throw it all
    the way into full engagement or it may be impeded by some dust or dirt.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jul 11, 2004
    #8
  9. Red Cloud

    Red Cloud Guest


    I'm trying to remove starter. I couldn't. I have no enough space to unplug two
    bolts holding a starter.
     
    Red Cloud, Jul 12, 2004
    #9
  10. I don't recall which model we're discussing here but you're likely going to
    have to take the air intake and maybe some other accessories off to get at
    it. Then you'll need the right tools: a socket set and the right length
    extensions - throw in a wobbly extension or swivel joint to be sure.

    At the risk of getting boring, check the ground strap connections FIRST.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jul 13, 2004
    #10
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