Every several weeks, our '92 Accord will grind but show absolutely no indication of starting. Five or 10 minutes later, it may or may not start, but eventually it will. Passengers comment that the D4 light flashes during this issue. Any thoughts on what to pursue? I find it hard to believe that the xmission (D4 light as I understand it) would inhibit the fuel pump or the ignition system.

 

Does this seem to happen when it is hot? When it happens, can you hear the fuel pump "prime".....guessing at the main relay but that is a GUESS without more information. Next is spark, which could be another list of things. Need to know what is missing when it will not start. As far as the D4 light I'm lost, can also check for codes. May be a normal thing.

 

It has happened twice recently --- once when engine was warm (but not hot) and once hen it was cold (ambient).

I cannot say that I have heard the fuel pump. Is there a technique for doing this since it is in the fuel tank and rather isolated. What else might be effected by the main relay?

I am trying to wire up a spark indicator with an NE-2 flash lamp to monitor the spark, but I haven't completed it yet.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Main relay problems seem to depend on interior temperature being hot, like parked in the sun. That's probably what Poorman was after.

 

D4 light flashes? Hmmmmmmmm.....I would think of dropping off the lower steering column shroud and look at the solder joints on the back of the ignition switch.
They should all look the same, if one is melted off or 'frosted' looking replace the electrical part of the switch.
You can also check for power at the Black/yellow wire at the dist or coil when cranking or with key on.

 

Jim/tom60016-Sorry, Yes. I was going for the temp inside the car.....but it looks like hondadue has seen something like this before.....I'll defer to the masters from here.

 

Guys --- thanks for your ideas. Regarding temp, one instance had the car in the sun for three hours with the windows up, but the other had the car off for several hours but with the windows down. No one has thoughts that the main relay may be the cause???

Hondadude --- I presume that you might have seen this before. Does a bad solder joint cause an intermittent issue? I will check at the next opportunity, however.

 

You can very easily check for main relay by developing this habit.

Turn off all noisemakers like blower, radio, AC, etc. (the fuel pump inside the fuel tank isn't very loud).

When you first turn on the car, turn the key to ON but don't immediately spin it right to START. Listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds then stop. If it does that, the main relay is good.