car wont start after sitting in the hot sun(hard starts when cool outside) wtf?

[damian9669]

The car is a 1990 honda accord ex. it has the 2.2 in it. Anyways the car hard starts when its cool outside but when its been sitting in the hot sun it cranks and cranks but wont start worth a damn.Sometime if I fuck with it enough it sometimes manages to start up.This is usually after about an hours or two.Anyways.What component could fail when it gets to a certain temperature? would it be the fuel pump? im just perplexed by all of this.Any help would be appreciated.

[CT9A]

ignitor

Edit *that was a problem in the Civics anyway.

[damian9669]

do you mean the ignition controll module? and is this the only thing it can possible be?

[HONDA GHANDI]

Fuel pump relay, Ignitor, coil.

Can be any of those things.

[damian9669]

Ghandi just the guy I was hoping would chime in.
Where is the fuel pump relay located? generally or if you happen to know for sure.Also the ignitor is located in the distributor correct?
Heres what ive found out.When it cranks and cranks but doesnt start I disconnected the fuel line behind the fuel filter so as to eliminate the filter out of the equation and lo and behold there was barely any fuel being sent.I mean barely anything.Is this normal ? I think not but I could be wrong

[HONDA GHANDI]

If the fuel pump was working it would spray all over the place. THe relay is under the dash to the left of the steering column.
Try this: While cranking the car smack the left side of the lower dash (by your left knee) with the palm of your hand. Two or three times while the car is cranking. Most of the time if the relay is bad this will wake it up and the car will start.

If this fixes it then you need a new or repaired relay. I can repair them for about $40, new ones are about $70

[damian9669]

thanx for the info toby.Ill try that and see if this is the gremlin ive been trying to find for quite some time.I cant believe it didnt dawn on me to ask you about this earlier.dohh.

[damian9669]

ok well all I have to say is youre a freakin genius man.I tried to start it and sure as hell after being all nice and hot outside the damn thing cranked and cranked but no dice.I then started to beat the shit out of the area you suggested and sure as hell while cranking the car it started up after a few punches.I tried to repeat the process once more to be sure and same thing.
Would a screwy fuel pump relay cause the car once its running to run like shit? for example unstable idle,low idleing sometimes lack of power? I figure it would but who knows I may have more than one problem.

[ryanman]

Main relay

[HONDA GHANDI]

The poor drieveability is probably something else. The relay never halfway works. It either works or it doesnt.

[computingfuture]

The poor drieveability is probably something else. The relay never halfway works. It either works or it doesnt.

lol, thats why its called a relay.

[damian9669]

hey ryan what does the main relay control or more importantly fix? is it the hot starts or the drivability issues?

[ricewizard]

main relay is the power source for your fuel injection it fixes crank no start expecially hot.

[damian9669]

alrighty.so which one is the culprit.the fuel pump relay or the main relay? becuase i would hate to guess on this.it costs me more money.lol.

[HONDA GHANDI]

Its the same thing.

[damian9669]

same thing two different names? good info to know when parts hunting

[HONDA GHANDI]

Yup.

[damian9669]

thanx toby for the help.I really appreciate it.Now to find one.Do parts places sell them or is it a dealer item only?

[STIBungy]

Damian, if you buy a new one, I'll gladly take the used one.

[damian9669]

how come? having the same issues as me?

[STIBungy]

No, I fixed mine by redoing the solder joints. I want to integrate a kill switch into one and test it out.

[damian9669]

i see now.Well once i get a new unit the old one is useless to me so its yours if you want it.unless the place where i get it from wants it as a core or something.I doubt it though.

[HONDA GHANDI]

I sell them. You can get them at the dealer or at Vato zone although I wouldnt reccomend an aftermarket one.

[damian9669]

thanx again toby.