Thanks for the replies. While waiting for manuals to download I made some troubleshooting progress. I think I figured it out.

I took out the relay and jumped the similar wires. Car started up after fuel lines refilled. Ran, ldled for less than a minute and I cut it off. Took jumpers out and re-connected the relay. Started. Ran at idle for a few minutes. Died. Sucession of attempts to re-start indicated "out of gas."

It started with the relay in, hmm... maybe because the system was primed with gas. I pulled the relay out again, connected the jumper, and it started. Good. Let it idle for ten minutes and shut it off.

Pulled the jumpers and left wires unplugged to anything. No relay. Started, but ran out of gas again.

It starts with fuel in the lines but only the jumpers will keep the engine running. It dies with or without the relay. It looks like the relay to me.

$60 at autozone ( if they have one ). No time for online.

Is the power rating the only concern when replacing a relay? Is it readily swappable from other Japanese vehicles?

Thanks DesertHonda for the procedure, it turned a really expensive fix into an "I don't gotta wait 'til next paycheck" fix.

Thanks PAhonda for the links. I think the server is maxed out over at hondatech.com, I'm having trouble downloading the pdf. I'll wait and try again.

Carboy

 

The spoonhonda link on that DIY page also has the 86 shop manual.

 

Thanks again. I'll try it.

Well, Autozone doesn't have the part, and Honda doesn't make them anymore. Carquest can order it from Texas, and it will take three days.

I guess I DO have time for online. I was hoping to find the part today and be done with it. At least the car will run with the jumpers.

C.

 

I fought with almost the exact same issues in my 81 civic. Luckily the dealership here had one in stock and needed to get rid of it so they gave me a discount. but you are right, it should run just fine with the jumpers in for now.