car hard to start - Honda Prelude Forum

JDM Lude · 06-12-2002, 11:49 PM

car cranks for up to 6 seconds then fires up.

any suggestions? (besides fuel pump)

HmongLude · 06-13-2002, 09:34 AM

nope.......you already answered it...most likely fuel pump.....
but you can always try cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter.......hope this helps.........

vang

Mark94 · 06-13-2002, 11:27 AM

Don't bother trying to change those things that were mentioned. I tried changing all those and wasted my money. Mine has been like that since I bought it - cranks for a few seconds then finally catches. Only does this when cold. When it's warm, it fires right up.

My guess is the fuel pump.

Mark

HmongLude · 06-13-2002, 10:57 PM

never hurts to replace them. It's a good regular maintenance if you have money to spare....yeah..but i did tell him that i'm 60 percent sure it's the fuel pump.......

vang

PDUNZ · 06-13-2002, 11:24 PM

Also get the main relay checked. Mine would crank for about 3-5 Seconds first thing in the morning, then a few weeks later when inside got hot, it would not start at all untill I tapped the relay.

It's caused by Dry Solder joints but you can resolder them easily. Now it starts in 2 seconds first thing..

92prelude92 · 06-14-2002, 09:53 AM

make sure all the tubes/plugs are on on the engine. where the spark plugs are. (hopefully u know what i mean) When i had some engine work done a guy forgot to put one back on right. I asume it was for air flow and when i started it would take a good 5 secs for it to start. but warm it would be ok. just after sitting for over an hr it would take the 5 secs.
wish i knew the right "terms" but i'd thought i'd try and help... cause i hated it when it happen to me. and it wasn't anything huge.

genlude · 06-14-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PDUNZ
Also get the main relay checked. Mine would crank for about 3-5 Seconds first thing in the morning, then a few weeks later when inside got hot, it would not start at all untill I tapped the relay.

It's caused by Dry Solder joints but you can resolder them easily. Now it starts in 2 seconds first thing..

Let me say this. b/4 you do anything else, check the Main relay. I had the same problem for 2 years and I just recently solved it by replace the Main relay.
You do have a choice to do the above suggestion which I tried and it did not work. I will highly suggest you get one of a 96 prelude which I did or buy one from www.hondaautomotiveparts.com which I also did.

From research I have done, this is a common problem for Honda cars and I think the Main relay was changed for the 96 model prelude because I compared both relays.

JDMPower · 06-14-2002, 12:11 PM

my car does the same thing too. How much is it for a Main Relay??

Eddiebx · 06-14-2002, 02:22 PM

Hey, the main relay make it hard to start when cold too? I get the same thing, it takes a few seconds to crank before it fires up. But I always thought that the main relay only makes your car hard to start when its hot. But I am gonna go swap out my main relay and see if that does anything. I got an extra one laying around somewhere, just gotta find it.

Eddie

genlude · 06-14-2002, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDMPower
my car does the same thing too. How much is it for a Main Relay??

The relay is not cheap, it runs for $45 shipped from hondaautomotiveparts.com. Here local dealers wanted $80.

If you can get one from the yard, great else get the 96 prelude one.

Mark94 · 06-14-2002, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddiebx
But I always thought that the main relay only makes your car hard to start when its hot.

Eddie

You're right, the main relay is the problem if the car won't start while hot. It's not the problem when the car is cool.

Mark

HmongLude · 06-14-2002, 06:02 PM

when it's cold.......it could be the igniter....it's in the distributor......also known as coil ingniter module switch or ignition amplifier or ignition module switch...which ever...it's the same.......

PDUNZ · 06-14-2002, 09:15 PM

If you can get the relay cheaply then just replace it. I had no choice becuase HondaNZ wanted $150-$200

for the relay. But it's been working like a gem since resoldering it....

genlude · 06-14-2002, 10:21 PM

I am assuming that is New zealand currency. What is the rate to U.S dollars. But damm that is expensive

. I got one for $45 shipped.