Occasional Starting Issue

[Mario]

Well, I've been having some occasional starting issues the past 2 days.

Here's the deal:

Drove to Radio Shack, midday. Hot as hell. Got there. Got stuff. Went to car. Started the car up... it revved to about 1500rpm, and then just dropped to 0 and the engine died. Tried to start it again... almost started, but nothing. Held the key trying to start it... finally, after a good 10-15 seconds it started. Revved it up, drove home with the A/C on and all was well. Got home. Tried to replicate the problem. I couldn't. Drove back to Radio Shack (wrong connectors). Ran across the problem AGAIN.

Later that day, I worked (chinese). The car started PERFECT the whole night, not a single glitch. Whew... so it was just some sorta conspiracy with Radio Shack. No worries.

Today, I drove to Burger King just to find out that location CLOSED. No worries, I'll just hop in my car and head to Chipotle. Car started, then died. Held the key for about 15 seconds while it tried to start.. and it went! Drove to Chipotle, parked, ate, came out. Same starting problem. Held key... great.

Got back to my work (computers), and stopped the car. Then started it. Started without a hitch.

Any ideas would be greatful... as I have not a clue where to start diagnosing this problem.

[forum]

I had a similar problem with the car not starting when its really hot out and it was the main relay(my first lude). But i never had it die after starting.

[stu]

I'm having the same issue as well. It happens after a decent length of a drive, and after the car has been off for around 5 minutes or so. I usually just have to wait a minute or two, then it turns back on. Tobi told me he thought it might be a fuel pump issue. I tried to listen to see if the fuel pump would prime when I put the key in today, but there was too much traffic to really hear.

[Mario]

Brian - people mentioned that on a prelude forum as well, makes sense.

Stu - I didn't have the patience to wait and see if that'd fix it. :p

[Kwando]

Check your grounds.

[daveharms33]

Hey mario my girlfriends car/acura '91 had the EXACT problem i guarantee its the Fuel Main Relay. I'd bet a million on it. shed have the same probs for like 3-4 months. thought it was the fuel pump, water in the gas, vapor lock, timing belt, fuel filter got all those replaced then read a bit online. and sure enough it was the fuel main relay. not a prob since we replaced it.

Good luck!!
FF#287 Dave







Well, I've been having some occasional starting issues the past 2 days.

Here's the deal:

Drove to Radio Shack, midday. Hot as hell. Got there. Got stuff. Went to car. Started the car up... it revved to about 1500rpm, and then just dropped to 0 and the engine died. Tried to start it again... almost started, but nothing. Held the key trying to start it... finally, after a good 10-15 seconds it started. Revved it up, drove home with the A/C on and all was well. Got home. Tried to replicate the problem. I couldn't. Drove back to Radio Shack (wrong connectors). Ran across the problem AGAIN.

Later that day, I worked (chinese). The car started PERFECT the whole night, not a single glitch. Whew... so it was just some sorta conspiracy with Radio Shack. No worries.

Today, I drove to Burger King just to find out that location CLOSED. No worries, I'll just hop in my car and head to Chipotle. Car started, then died. Held the key for about 15 seconds while it tried to start.. and it went! Drove to Chipotle, parked, ate, came out. Same starting problem. Held key... great.

Got back to my work (computers), and stopped the car. Then started it. Started without a hitch.

Any ideas would be greatful... as I have not a clue where to start diagnosing this problem.

[STIBungy]

I concur.

This has been covered numerous times. People should do a search.

(not picking on you, Mario)