WEIRD electrical problem.. HELP?

[g.baltazar]

So my girlfriend just picked up a '90 LX sedan (5spd) and sometimes she has problems with it.. weird ones, lol.

Problem 1: Sometimes the car will start perfectly, but if you turn it off, it just won't start again for like 10 minutes. It cranks, but no fire. plugs are good, dizzy is good, etc.

Problem 2: Sometimes the car WILL start, but the eBrake light stays on (even after the ebrake is down), the heater controls don't work, the radio doesnt work, and the weirdest thing, when she pushes the clutch IN, the STARTER starts to spin! (makes the grinding sound because the car is already running). Then you turn the car off, and try to start it again, and the ebrake light goes off, the heater starts to work, as well as the radio, and when you push the clutch in, the starter doesnt try to crank (aka, everything works fine)


SO, do you guys think this is a fusebox problem? A grounding problem? A relay problem, or what? This is my first post and it won't be my last, because this accord is another project I'm taking on. I already have a 94 EG hatch, and I know hondas very well. But this problem is just odd ::tongue::

Thanks guys!

[90-JDMCB7]

Poltergeist

jk.....tough break there man...sounds like serious wiring issues though

[g.baltazar]

Poltergeist

jk.....tough break there man...sounds like serious wiring issues though

Whats crazy is that it's all stock too. I found a guy local here on craigslist that will sell me the dash harness and fusebox for $50. I'm thinking its the fusebox/main relay and possibly wiring thats screwing it up. The car sat for almost a year at my g/f's parents' house.

[90-JDMCB7]

Whats crazy is that it's all stock too. I found a guy local here on craigslist that will sell me the dash harness and fusebox for $50. I'm thinking its the fusebox/main relay and possibly wiring thats screwing it up. The car sat for almost a year at my g/f's parents' house.

perhaps it has some flood damage?

[Darkcloud]

Hey man my car is doing the same thing its the wiring if u turn the key to far the key will get stuck and you'll the grinding noise as far as the car starting fine and not srarting till after 10mins. it could be the main relay check that first and if thats fine than its your timing or fuel pump,fuel filter or injectors.

[g.baltazar]

Hey man my car is doing the same thing its the wiring if u turn the key to far the key will get stuck and you'll the grinding noise as far as the car starting fine and not srarting till after 10mins. it could be the main relay check that first and if thats fine than its your timing or fuel pump,fuel filter or injectors.

its not grinding constantly like it would if the key got stuck. Its when i push in the clutch (you know how there is a contact on the pedal that allows the starter to turn over). It must be in the fuse box or main relay.. btw, i took a look under the dash today and its completely different than my eg civic. Where is the main relay located, and what does it look like?

[theAcorn]

For Problem 1 - check the main relay. No clue about Problem 2, lol. Definitely sounds like the car is just nutso!

[NorcoAccord]

For Problem 1 - check the main relay. No clue about Problem 2, lol. Definitely sounds like the car is just nutso!

I agree check the main relay and also check any grounds, I have a feeling a few wires and have lost some of there insulation and now touching, but I would assume that would blow a fuse. Anyways good luck with the problem.

[Losiracer2]

well your starting problem might be either: ignitor unit is fried or main relay needs to be resoldered (look for DIY). That should solve your problems. right before mine went out, the tack started jumping and the car would dip in and out of consciousness lol, it would almost die but the rpms would go really low. starting issue is main relay pretty sure.

[accordztech]

bad ignition switch??? it can explain it not s tarting cause no signal is going to the sparks....explains the radio not turning on sometimes

contacts are missing and connecting.....

mine was running one day and everything turned off but the motor...then if i played witht he key it came back on. found out it was a failing ignition switch.

oh also it wouldnt stay running at certain times unless i held the key down.

[rudy1980]

bad ignition switch??? it can explain it not s tarting cause no signal is going to the sparks....explains the radio not turning on sometimes

contacts are missing and connecting.....

mine was running one day and everything turned off but the motor...then if i played witht he key it came back on. found out it was a failing ignition switch.

oh also it wouldnt stay running at certain times unless i held the key down.

I was about to say that. Well not actually the switch but the ignition harness from the switch to the fuse box. A guy came to the shop a few weeks ago and everytime he pressed the clutch his starter would engage, it was that harness. The other problems could be related but I'm not sure.

If you think about it it makes sense, the contacts are loose or stuck in the start position, but you can't start the car without pressing the clucth, so when you press it, it tries to start.