Azhrei

I have visited these forums in the past few weeks trying to diagnosis the reason why my Legend was having trouble starting up. The first symptoms were that whenever I would go to start the vehicle the engine would fire up, but as soon as I let go of the key from the ignition position the engine would automatically die out. Secondly, I realized that when I went to start the car the first time it would fire up then die, and the following attempts the vehicle would not even fire, but rather just continually crank. Upon visiting these forums I found out that it more than likely the PGM -FI Main Relay. So I purchased a replacement and swapped it out. My vehicle ran fine for about a week with no real issues, except one or two times where I had to try to start the vehicle more than once.

But now the vehicle is having similar as before. The engine will fire, but once I let go of the key the engine automatically dies. In order for my car to keep on running I have to hold the key at the ignition position. However it isn't having the issue of not cranking over and not firing at all anymore, after the first attempt.

So I was wondering if you fine ladies and gents might have any idea as to what might be causing this dilemma? Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance for any advice given.

Cheers!

 

Telion

You may wanna look at the ignition switch testing in the online service manual and double check all your grounds that are associated with it.

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3.5, TII cams,pnp mani & springs,Telion Chip,HID's,H&R's/Koni's,Addco Sway bars,TII calipers,RH C2's,R.J. shifter,DV8 EGR plate,CAI,OBX headers,2.5" exhaust,hi-flow cat,K2 muffler,Stage III clutch,S&D rotors, KVR pads, blackend damper, a CF hood, AFC NEO, 3.5 Aluminum pulley, & Web cams. C&R Racing radiator and more to come.

MagicMikey

Isn't this a symptom of a bad alternator?

__________________
1991 Acura Legend LS Sedan
Granada Black

Azhrei

A little update...

So after cranking my vehicle 6 or 7 times I got it run. I turned off the ignition and restarted it a couple of time to see if it was a fluke, but it started normally. So I decided to drive it around and went to the gas station to fill up my tank. On the way to the gas station I noticed that my rpm meter and speedometer both drop down to 0 rapidly, then after like .5 seconds it went back to normal. It did this once while I was driving to the gas station and 3 times on my way back home. When I got home, I turned off the engine and tried to start it again, but I couldn't get it to fire.

So i'm kind of at a lost. Thanks for your replies so far, but if you guys have any further insight that would be great. Thanks in advance again.

~C

Telion

have you done anything to the car recently , this really sounds like a power issue to me like a bad ground somewhere. though checking the altenator is often free at an autoparts store so that is a great place to start.

__________________

\/Provider of The Telion Chip click here\/
http://telionsite.com or search Telion Chip
3.5, TII cams,pnp mani & springs,Telion Chip,HID's,H&R's/Koni's,Addco Sway bars,TII calipers,RH C2's,R.J. shifter,DV8 EGR plate,CAI,OBX headers,2.5" exhaust,hi-flow cat,K2 muffler,Stage III clutch,S&D rotors, KVR pads, blackend damper, a CF hood, AFC NEO, 3.5 Aluminum pulley, & Web cams. C&R Racing radiator and more to come.

Azhrei

Besides swapping out the Main Relay I haven't done anything to the car. I'll pop out the alternator and bring it in to get tested tommorow.

If it's a bad ground...then i'm shit out of luck because I wouldn't even know where to begin to solve that issue.

Telion

start by reading the online service manual ih yeah are you getting a CEL

__________________

\/Provider of The Telion Chip click here\/
http://telionsite.com or search Telion Chip
3.5, TII cams,pnp mani & springs,Telion Chip,HID's,H&R's/Koni's,Addco Sway bars,TII calipers,RH C2's,R.J. shifter,DV8 EGR plate,CAI,OBX headers,2.5" exhaust,hi-flow cat,K2 muffler,Stage III clutch,S&D rotors, KVR pads, blackend damper, a CF hood, AFC NEO, 3.5 Aluminum pulley, & Web cams. C&R Racing radiator and more to come.

Azhrei

I'm not getting a CEL

Boru

Telion mentioned ignition switch; my '91 had similar cutoff issues and it was
the ignition switch. I am guessing $50-75 for the part. Mine was replaced
for about $175.00. There are posts about DIY replacement. Keys remain the same if that is it.

Azhrei

Thanks for the reply Boru, after googling some more i've found people who've had similar problems as I did and the cause was the ignition switch. For instance, the previous owner told me that the locking mechanism for the doors would sometimes trigger by themselves. I've noticed the same thing. My only hesitation on swapping out the ignition switch is that when I went to inspect it I noticed additional wires that have been added to the ignition switch and lead to other locations. So my concern is that if I was to swap it out, how would I deal with those additional wirings?

MagicMikey

Other locations meaning a car alarm module?

__________________
1991 Acura Legend LS Sedan
Granada Black

Boru

MagicMikey is a good resource. You may also need to locate a local electrical shop, or an alarm shop to help identify what was done in the past. Someone will need to look under the dash and determine what might have happened and what can be done. I cannot help; others might better steer you towards a local resource. I have used an electrical shop that solved problems for me. I know how challenging it is to find reliable information. Keep posting and asking. Someone will be able to narrow the problem down. (Door lock clicking is
a common problem caused by a door lock actuator; and, unlikely related
to the cut-off issue.)

CakeDaddy

aaaahhh I remember this on my coupe. I still have a new ignition switch in my garage. Definately(sp) an ignition switch. The probelm will re-occour. I was lucky and got stranded in my garage. Be careful.

look:

My Ignition problem (pics) do no laugh

Azhrei

******UPDATE******

So I just switched out the ignition switch after consulting with my brother in law who is a mechanic. He sent me instruction on how to swap out the ignition switch. When I finished I went to start my car, but the key won't turn at all. It's like stuck in the "0" position and won't budge. The radio works, windows work, and everything else seems to be fine except that one issue. I'm not a car mechanic guru, so I know I probably went wrong somewhere when I was replacing it. So if you fine ladies and gents might be able to give me further insight into this, I would be greatly thankful to you all.

I feel like blowing up my car, I wonder if the insurance would cover that...

Thanks in advance again.

RLbuddy96

That sounds like a sensor prob that's like the rpm and mph meter