Honda Car Forum

Jim Yanik wrote:
> Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
> news:kqGye.58932$Oi4.588428@twister.southeast.rr.c om:
>
>
>>Car: 1990 Honda Civic LX, 5-speed, 1.5L SOHC DPFI.
>>
>>Question: Can anyone explain, or point me to a site that explains, the
>>exact functions the main relay is responsible for?
>>
>>Here is the reason why I ask. My main relay is screwed up, because it
>>will not start when it's hot. I have to reach down and squeeze the crap
>>out of it while pressing the clutch and turning the key for my engine to
>>fire.
>
>
>
> Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and ELIMINATE
> the main relay as a trouble source?
> Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>

Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?

Jonathan

Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
news:zk%ye.68$%y1.22054@twister.southeast.rr.com:

> Jim Yanik wrote:

>>
>> Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and
>> ELIMINATE the main relay as a trouble source?
>> Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>>
>
> Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
> could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?
>


The Main Relay is not associated with "sputtering". But then I've never
encountered anyone who has driven around with it unbolted, either.

What you may want to do is to bolt it back in place once the motor is
running, and see if the sputtering is gone.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

TeGGeR® wrote:
> Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
> news:zk%ye.68$%y1.22054@twister.southeast.rr.com:
>
>
>>Jim Yanik wrote:
>
>
>>>Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and
>>>ELIMINATE the main relay as a trouble source?
>>>Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>>>
>>
>>Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
>>could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?
>>
>
>
>
> The Main Relay is not associated with "sputtering". But then I've never
> encountered anyone who has driven around with it unbolted, either.
>
> What you may want to do is to bolt it back in place once the motor is
> running, and see if the sputtering is gone.
>

One thing that occurred to me, that I didn't mention, from time to time
I have gotten those "code 16" errors on my ECU while driving on the
interstate although my car still seems to run just fine. I was
wondering if that could have anything to do with the sputtering...
(i.e. Incorrect injector pulse) Anywho, I just finished resoldering my
main relay, so I'll report back tomorrow and let y'all know the results.
Thanx a million for everyone's help!

Jonathan

Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
news:mu0ze.80$%y1.28137@twister.southeast.rr.com:


> One thing that occurred to me, that I didn't mention, from time to time
> I have gotten those "code 16" errors on my ECU while driving on the
> interstate although my car still seems to run just fine. I was
> wondering if that could have anything to do with the sputtering...
> (i.e. Incorrect injector pulse)


It's possible. See here:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainr...mainrelay.html
(the second and the last graphics)


> Anywho, I just finished resoldering my
> main relay, so I'll report back tomorrow and let y'all know the results.


Followups are always nice.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
news:zk%ye.68$%y1.22054@twister.southeast.rr.com:

> Jim Yanik wrote:
>> Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
>> news:kqGye.58932$Oi4.588428@twister.southeast.rr.c om:
>>
>>
>>>Car: 1990 Honda Civic LX, 5-speed, 1.5L SOHC DPFI.
>>>
>>>Question: Can anyone explain, or point me to a site that explains,
>>>the exact functions the main relay is responsible for?
>>>
>>>Here is the reason why I ask. My main relay is screwed up, because
>>>it will not start when it's hot. I have to reach down and squeeze
>>>the crap out of it while pressing the clutch and turning the key for
>>>my engine to fire.
>>
>>
>>
>> Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and
>> ELIMINATE the main relay as a trouble source?
>> Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>>
>
> Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
> could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?
>
> Jonathan

"sputtering" could be bad plug wires,bad distributor cap/rotor,maybe
ignition coil breaking down,a bad igniter module.Maybe even a clogged or
sticking fuel injector,which might explain that trouble code you mentioned
in another post.

But you have to eliminate known problems first(MR),and test one thing at a
time.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Jim Yanik wrote:
> Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
> news:zk%ye.68$%y1.22054@twister.southeast.rr.com:
>
>
>>Jim Yanik wrote:
>>
>>>Jonathan Upright <qaesar1@carolina.rr.com> wrote in
>>>news:kqGye.58932$Oi4.588428@twister.southeast.r r.com:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Car: 1990 Honda Civic LX, 5-speed, 1.5L SOHC DPFI.
>>>>
>>>>Question: Can anyone explain, or point me to a site that explains,
>>>>the exact functions the main relay is responsible for?
>>>>
>>>>Here is the reason why I ask. My main relay is screwed up, because
>>>>it will not start when it's hot. I have to reach down and squeeze
>>>>the crap out of it while pressing the clutch and turning the key for
>>>>my engine to fire.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Why doncha RESOLDER all the Main Relay cracked solder joints,and
>>>ELIMINATE the main relay as a trouble source?
>>>Then you can check other things if the trouble still persists.
>>>
>>
>>Planning on doing just that. I was just wondering if the sputtering
>>could be caused by timing AND/OR the main relay?
>>
>>Jonathan
>
>
> "sputtering" could be bad plug wires,bad distributor cap/rotor,maybe
> ignition coil breaking down,a bad igniter module.Maybe even a clogged or
> sticking fuel injector,which might explain that trouble code you mentioned
> in another post.
>
> But you have to eliminate known problems first(MR),and test one thing at a
> time.
>
Distributor cap, plugs, and wires are brand-new, less than 3 months old.
I have an almost-new coil and igniter that I suppose I could
replace. (My distributor has been replaced, and my old distributor that
"died" has the almost-new coil and igniter in it. I left the coil and
igniter that came in the used, but working, distributor that's in my car
now)

UPDATE: Resoldering the main relay did indeed fix the starting problem,
but the sputtering is still present. I will admit it seems not to be
quite as bad. I suppose I need to get a timing light...

Thanx again to everyone for all your help! :-)

Jonathan

P.S. There were 4 cracked dry joints that I had to resolder.