Honda Car Forum

The main relay in my 90 Honda Accord is defective like most early 90 model Accords. I can find a used, inexpensive one on Ebay. Should I be concerned that the used one might be defective or would it be safe to buy a used main relay to put in my car?

i think that the main relay is less than $100 i would put a new one in. would you buy a used light bulb?

the relay is basically two sets of metal contacts and two windings of wire. when current flows through the coil windings it creates a magnetic field and pulls the metal contacts together. they are relatively simple devices.on the accord the problem was that the circuit board at the base of the relay cracks and causes the circuit board to separate when the interior temperature of the vehicle rises. there is no way to tell if the circuit board on your Ebay relay is cracked or not without taking that relay apart. the original relays had about a 100% failure rate. I don't know the age of the one on Ebay; if its a replacement relay that was purchased in the last 5 years then it should be trouble free. if its 5-10 years old its probably good--I'd guess an 80-90% chance that it will never fail. if its over 10 years old I'd stay away from it.the new relay is about $50 at a Honda dealer. If you're feeling lucky, go for the Ebay relay.hope that helps

the only ting that you have to do is go to the junk yard and get one for free thats what i did wen i was looking for my honda crx main relay ijust wen to the junk yard and i just took them i not only took one but six or seven just in case be cause if you go to the auto parts be ready to pay at lees 100 or more