wont start HELP del sol

Discussion in 'Del Sol' started by Gothkitty67, Aug 2, 2004.

  1. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    I have a 93 del sol that runs fine for 3 months then wont start our of no
    where. (its been doing this for a year now and is now not starting every
    two weeks). had a garage look at it and they cant find the problem
    because its starting fine now. its at a honda dealer now but is starting
    fine still. any ideas on what is wrong with it? the idle throtte was
    cleaned but apprantly that wasnt the problem. any ideas would be great!!
    HELP!!!
     
    Gothkitty67, Aug 2, 2004
    #1
  2. you will most likely have to wait until it doesn't start and then have it
    towed to a repair place.
     
    CaptainKrunch, Aug 2, 2004
    #2
  3. Gothkitty67

    Caroline Guest

    When does the non-start condition occur? Try to describe in more detail exactly
    under what conditions the car does not start (e.g. first thing in the morning;
    after driving awhile; etc.). Also, what sounds do you hear when it's not
    starting? Do you hear any noises at all, like the crankshaft and associated
    parts moving a little? Or do you hear practically nothing; except a few
    (electrical contact or solenoid) clicks and a whir of a little pump motor?

    There's a famous non-start condition for early 1990 Hondas involving the main
    relay. It occurs after driving a while and especially in hot weather. When the
    car cools down a bit, it will start.

    Also, there's a famous non-start condition involving the ignition switch. You
    can groups.google for this for this newsgroup and see a lot of posts on the
    subject.

    Keep checking back, as the pros will elaborate.
     
    Caroline, Aug 2, 2004
    #3
  4. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    yes I did that already. I was at work last week and it wouldnt start so I
    got it towed to the honda dealer. they have the car now but it starts.
    Im just leaving it there and they are checking a few times a day to see if
    it wont start. they have no idea whats wrong with it because its running
    fine.
     
    Gothkitty67, Aug 2, 2004
    #4
  5. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    thanks for the response! I dont know what to do at this point!
    well 98% of the time the car runs great..starts great and everything! I
    noticed its cold when it does the no start. never when its hot. never
    when Ive been driving it. also, when it doesnt start it will turn over
    but wont start all the way. I have read alot about the main relay
    problems. I will check out the groups.google site. I notice alot of
    older hondas have the no start problem but theres so many things it can
    be! Thanks!!!! :)
     
    Gothkitty67, Aug 2, 2004
    #5
  6. When it won't start, did you try varying the throttle opening by pressing
    and holding the accelerator pedal? A slight leak from a fuel injector
    can cause flooding and a no start *unless* you open the throttle a bit...
    all the way if the flooding is bad.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 3, 2004
    #6
  7. Gothkitty67

    Danny Z Guest

    I can't believe I'm reading this cause my '90 Prelude does the exact same
    thing .

    It does it rarely and only when it's hot and only been driving for a few
    minutes.
    I've been wondering about this and now it's been solved.

    The timing is a little wierd though ...I just bought myself a real nice '91
    Prelude with 4WS and leather in fantastic condition.

    So i just have my old Prelude in storage while I'm in heaven cruisin with
    4WS.
    I love the handling...it's awsesome!

    I remembering reading in this newsgroup about how great 4WS is ... but I
    never thought I'd own one... I stumbled on this beauty and could'nt resist
    it!
    It even has a replacement JDM engine.

    I'm going to fix up my other lude and sell it.

    Does this fix involve replacing the main relay ? and how much would it cost?

    thanks

    Danny Z
     
    Danny Z, Aug 3, 2004
    #7
  8. Gothkitty67

    Caroline Guest

    snip but congratulations on your "new" 91 'Lude.
    First, this is so common that, yes, the main relay is likely to be the problem.
    Still, double check your symptoms with the discussion listed at the following
    sites:

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

    http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM

    http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm

    If you feel confident the problem is the main relay, then many here advocate
    repairing (= re-soldering) the old main relay. This costs the price of a cheap-o
    soldering iron (which some already own), some de-soldering braid, and solder. I
    thought a recent description of re-soldering (and what to buy to do so), by a
    poster named "Jexter" on 06/27/04 here, was really good:
    http://tinyurl.com/4o2tl

    Or you can just replace the whole main relay at a parts cost of I'm betting
    about $50 ( = price at Majestic Honda online parts site, whose prices are
    typically much better than the dealers'). That's how much the one for my 1991
    Civic costs at Majestic. I tried to finger the one for your 1990 Prelude but
    could not. I think it's one of the several relays under the "Relay-Integrated
    Unit" menu choice for your car at
    http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/catdisplay.jsp . Emailing
    Majestic will get a response within a day. Or someone here might be able to
    finger it for you. Technically, it's the "main fuel relay" or "main fuel pump
    relay" or "main relay assembly." It controls power to the ECU as well as the
    fuel pump motor.

    The relay can be a little persnickety to get out, but it can be done, even by
    the amateur. My 1991 Civic's main relay died in 1999, and I managed to get it
    out, though some lady-like cussing ;-) was essential to success. Someone here
    recently suggested leaving the casing bolted in place, and just pulling out the
    guts, which I haven't tried but it sounds like a good tip that worked for him.

    I haven't tried re-soldering (didn't know enough in 1999 to give it a shot), but
    folks here who have say they haven't seen their re-soldered main relays fail.

    Updates welcome.

    Good luck.
     
    Caroline, Aug 3, 2004
    #8
  9. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    yes tried that. but it doesnt have a smell like its flooding. from what
    Im reading it sounds like the main relary or the ignition switch. My
    boyfreind is going to fix the main relay first and see if that fixes the
    problem. Ill keep you updated. Thanks! :)
     
    Gothkitty67, Aug 3, 2004
    #9
  10. Gothkitty67

    motsco_ _ Guest

    ====================

    I gotta agree with George on this one. The key symptom you mention was
    "when it's cold". That's never the symptom for a bad main relay.

    You've got a leaking injector that's flooding the engine OVERNIGHT. Read
    the part in your manual about 'starting at high altitudes / extreme cold'

    Next time it doesn't start right away, HOLD the pedal to the floor (per
    the FINE manual) and crank it. It will sputter and smoke, but it will
    start. My Odyssey did this and a tank of gasohol fixed it. (also
    explained in your manual) Your dipstick will smell gassy, but fuel
    injected cars don't 'stink' the way flooded carbeureted cars do.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Aug 4, 2004
    #10
  11. Gothkitty67

    Danny Z Guest

    Thanks for the info...


    Danny Z



     
    Danny Z, Aug 4, 2004
    #11
  12. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    well I had to get my main relay at the honda dealer. its only $50 but
    whatever you do dont have them put it in. they charge another $70 for
    that and it doesnt seem very hard to put in. this garage I go to in
    cincinnati ohio said they will put it in for free. so Ill let you know
    what happens after that. Hopefully its fixed!
     
    Gothkitty67, Aug 5, 2004
    #12
  13. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    well so far replacing the main relay has worked. its only been a few weeks
    but that may have fixed my problem.
     
    Gothkitty67, Sep 7, 2004
    #13
  14. Gothkitty67

    Gothkitty67 Guest

    well the main relay must have fixed my problem with my car not starting.
    its been 3 months and my cars been running great! thoguht I woudl add
    this note for those of you that have this same problem. ;)
     
    Gothkitty67, Dec 21, 2004
    #14
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