Very specific Main Relay question...

[Torqstr]

Is the main relay supposed to make a noise when you turn the key? Like many relays do.

My car isn't starting right now, but if I put the key in position III I get Oil, Battery, and CEL lights, but when I turn the key the starter doesn't even try to engage.

I removed my main relay and it still did exactly the same thing, but the relay "clicking" sound I thought was comming from the main relay was actually comming from another little black "box" up under the left side of the dash under the steering wheel.

Is there any way I can be certain that it's my main relay or not? I hate to buy another main relay and that not fix the problem.

[Torqstr]

anyone? please!

[So Cal Divin]

Your best bet is ?

I feel your pain electrical gremlins are the worst, and I'm an electrician !
The first thing you need to do is check all your fuses, check!
If that's all good listen for your fuel pump when you turn the key to start you should here it run for approx. 4 sec. If you do it's not your main (pgm-fi relay) relay. If you still suspect the relay, ground post #3 and supply 12 volts to post # 5 . This is the relay's coil, it should click if it's working properly. The relay has 8 posts.
If your not comfortable doing this procedure I would suggest you find a local Honda shop or automotive electrical shop and have them test it.

Good Luck
Jeff Gray

[youngJAY]

i was having simular issues with my relay also...sumtimes it would start/sumtimes it wouldnt...i didnt know if it was the main relay or the distributor....i sumtimes would slap under the dash on the left side of the stearing wheel a few hard times and it would start up......i never even got it fixed but i havent this problem in a long time so idunno what the hell was going on lol

[Caution]

dont forget you also have a starter relay

[So Cal Divin]

It's a Honda not a Ford !

You have a loose connection, which could cause you more problems. Loose connections cause higher (= heat) resistance at the connection. You'll either melt the wire, melt the relay or worst case burn your car to the ground. I'd buy a fire extinguisher if I was you !!!

Jeff

[youngJAY]

You have a loose connection, which could cause you more problems. Loose connections cause higher (= heat) resistance at the connection. You'll either melt the wire, melt the relay or worst case burn your car to the ground. I'd buy a fire extinguisher if I was you !!!

Jeff

awww shyt!.....it doesnt do it any mre though so it shold b aight right?

[So Cal Divin]

Didn't mean to SCARE you !

You may have also have had a contact sticking in one of your relays, no worries. If it happens again I'd check more thouroghly for the problem.

Jeff

[Torqstr]

can ANYONE tell me where the starter relay is located? I've asked like 10 times with no luck. Thanks.

[rlyons]

I tried to give you some answers on your other post. Please post in one thread and one time so we can follow your progress and maybe we can then help you better.

There is no starter relay, only a starter cut-out relay that opens when the clutch is not depressed. I think you have wired around the switch if I remember right. The cut-out relay is probably the one that is clicking. If your number 9 fuse is blown in your under dash fuse box then the starter will not crank. My car is an automatic or I would go look at it for you. The book does not show the cut-out relay but the wiring diagram shows it. Have you fed 12 volts to the small terminal with the plug on connector on the starter? If not do it and see if it cranks.

[Torqstr]

hmm...for some reason I still feel that this starter-cutout relay could have something to do with it all. I'm pretty certain that it's the relay I hear clicking when I try to crank the car.

I did remove the connector from the clutch switch and wired the two wires together, but it's almost like they're not wired together at all.

It's hard to explain but this all seemed to start with the stupid clutch switch.

[rlyons]

That's why I am still thinking fuse or power because you may have blown the fuse while doing the wire around the switch. Check and double check your underdash fuses, check them with a test light or replace them to be sure. (See you other post as well.) I can't keep up with your double posts.