legendHI

Okay, it happened again. It rains for a while, I go out to start my car and all I hear is a couple of loud *clicks* and the yellow "check engine" light comes on briefly, no engine noises, just a couple of distinctive clicks and the check engine light.

I've done a ton of searching on this site and it seems like Future X's comment on the post who needs to know main relay location is my best clue to whats causing my problem.

SO, my question is, where do you purchase the main relay from, what's its official name (so the retailer know's what I'm talking about). I've tried Checker Auto and all they had was a "Power Relay".

I'm guessing the dealer is my only choice...please help, esp. if you've had this problem or think its something else.



*FYI: tune ups have been on time w/new distrib., cap, rotor, plugs, wires, new oil/filter every 3k, trans fluid/filter and fuel filter change recently, the works; The first time this happened, it was doing just the clicking noise, so I had AAA come over to attempt a jump start, the engine would kick over nicely but not start! I waited another 10 mins, tried it again, and it started up lickitysplit. I went straight to Checker Auto to see if my battery was drained or near dead, but it checked out at good CCA levels. That was a few days ago. Tonight I was leaving the library after it had rained, and its doing that damned clicking noise again. Tried 20 mins of playing "turn the key, look at yellow "check engine light", listen to the two clicks, turn key back and cuss" game till it finally started.

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1989 L white sedan
mods & upgrades:
'90 Legend LS coupe rims w/Yokohama 550H tires, Eibach/Bilstein full suspension, shaved trunk emblems, Sylvania Cool Blue bulbs, Diamond Blue driving lights, custom intake, NGK-VX plugs, "Nascar" premium silicon wires, Raybestos QS ceramic pads, titainium tint, two-toned Wet Okole custom fit, DEI alarm/immob./keyless entry, JVC tape/CD changer-controller w/ JVC 12-disc changer, two PolkAudio 10s (sealed), Kicker IX404, Kicker IQ900, Infinity Reference mids/x-overs, MB Quart tweeters, 8" rat shacks in rear deck</font size>

 

chuckee98

Don't think it is the main relay because a bad main relay will still let the starter crank the engine. If the main relay is good, you should hear the tell-tale double click of the sub-relays in the main relay engage when you turn the key to ignition, but not start (provided that the ignition harness is okay, and not the cause). Best guess is the ignition / battery / starter connections under the hood, since you state that the battery is good, and that it only occurs when it rains.

Try this - the next time it is good weather, and the cars starts, try sprinkling water from a garden hose under the hood to see if the car stalls. Then try to see if it starts.

I bought my main relay from A & H motorsports, who is also an Acura / Honda dealership, for $ 42.35. Part number is 39400-SH3-003. It is called the "main relay" in the factory service manual.

vince

The clicks would denote a bad starter or battery.

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HowStuffWorks

legendHI

okay, well, I guess I'm going to take it to my mechanic to let him follow the ignition cable trails (from component to component). Thanks for the fast replies!!

If you have any other ideas, they're still welcome.

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<font size="1">
1989 L white sedan
mods & upgrades:
'90 Legend LS coupe rims w/Yokohama 550H tires, Eibach/Bilstein full suspension, shaved trunk emblems, Sylvania Cool Blue bulbs, Diamond Blue driving lights, custom intake, NGK-VX plugs, "Nascar" premium silicon wires, Raybestos QS ceramic pads, titainium tint, two-toned Wet Okole custom fit, DEI alarm/immob./keyless entry, JVC tape/CD changer-controller w/ JVC 12-disc changer, two PolkAudio 10s (sealed), Kicker IX404, Kicker IQ900, Infinity Reference mids/x-overs, MB Quart tweeters, 8" rat shacks in rear deck</font size>