In article <bMQRc.14465$cK.3454@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink. net>,
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Not an expert, but I do have direct experience with the main relay (once
> replaced), ignitor (replaced once at failure; a second time pre-emptively),
> and
> the coil (replaced a few times, due to not using OEM).
>
> Deduction leads me to believe the most likely causes of the no-start, in
> order,
> are as follows:
>
> 1.
> An improperly repaired main relay.
>
> Here's what I get with my completely functional 1991 Civic LX's noises and
> dash
> lights as I turn the key from position I to II. The top left, yellow-orange
> "Check" light comes on and at the same time, I hear a dull humming noise from
> I
> think the left rear of the car. I think that's the fuel pump motor. When the
> "Check" light goes out, the humming stops.
>
> So are you positive you're not getting this noise with the "Check" light?


Well... the lights are all like you describe. However, the humming noise
WAS there, and this morning, it wasn't. So now I'm back to suspecting
the Relay. Could a fuel pump work intermittently? Seems like it would or
wouldn't?? It NEVER was a problem once it started and was running.

>
> How confident are you that you got the old solder off and properly
> re-soldered?
> How confident are you of the electrical checks the Haynes manual prescribes?

I'm reasonably sure that the solder job is OK. (But the stopping of the
fuel pump 'humming' has me suspicious of my own work) :-)

As for the testing, I'm pretty sure it's a proper test. Actually, I can
hear the "click" as I apply 12V to the prescribed contracts, then I get
continuity between the proper contacts (at least as described in the
Haynes manual). Between the "click" noise and the meter readings, I'm
_fairly_ sure it's OK. OTOH, I read another post (from a year or two
back) where someone had a relay that _tested_ OK, but did NOT function
properly IN the car. Not quite sure how THAT works, but I guess it
happened, and could certainly happen to ME. Anyone have any ideas on
this?? Could be heat, I suppose, but I tried it first thing this morning
and it was probably 70 or so (cool) in the car.

>
> Did you see the following sites when you did your Internet surfing on this
> subject?
>
> http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/MainRelay.HTM (At the bottom, this
> proposes an alternative cause to the symptoms of a failed main relay.)
>
> http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/elec...main-relay.htm
>
> http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm
>
> http://tinyurl.com/4o2tl (what I think is a good, practical description of
> re-soldering the relay)

You folks are GREAT! I did find most of the links, but I'll re-read them
for good measure.

>
> Keep checking back, of course. John Ings et al. may be lurking and have more
> specific advice on this one as well as the others.
>
> 2.
> Failed ignitor (inside the distributor)
> http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/elec...er/igniter.htm
>
> 3.
> Failed distributor coil
>
> I haven't seen many, if any, reports of early 90s honda fuel pump failures
> here,
> so I personally wouldn't go there just yet. Of course you could groups.google
> and see.
>
> The three items above are much more common, from my reading and experience
> with
> my 91 Civic.
>

I did get a reply from John. Per his suggestion, I'm going to check the
fuel pump w/some help. Until today, the car was a couple of miles from
home & I was travelling back & forth trying to resolve the problem. I
finally gave up & had the car towed home where all of my tools and
'stuff' are (yes, yes, my wife TOLD me to just have it towed _right_
when it happened!) :-)

Now that I have two people, it'll be easier to do the 'listening' test
for the pump, and I can have her turn the key while I check voltage at
the pump.

This really has me stumpped, but (with the great help I'm getting!) I'm
SURE I'll figure this out! And I'll certainly post back any
info/findings.

Thanks! And keep any ideas coming!!

Tony

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