Main Relay Or Ignition Switch Problem?? - Honda Prelude Forum

JAYMAPLE · 06-29-2009, 06:37 PM

Im trying to decide wether my problem lies in the ignition switch or main relay??? Was driving last night turned a corner and she just bogged out and died, car still turns ovr but will not fire. All the lights work and are not dimmed, i pulled the main line into the fuel rail and turned the key 1 click and it soaked the rag, should it be spraying out, i figured not??? But i know im getting fuel... Stalled out the other day for like five min but then fired back up...
Any info would be greatly appreciated... 95vtec

skyyskyy · 06-29-2009, 07:10 PM

i had a bad main relay but it never stalled while driving only had no start if it was hot as hell out.

indylude18 · 06-29-2009, 07:47 PM

It could be either one, but the relay is easier to check so I would do that first. Just pull it and look to see if all the connections look ok.

92mfl · 06-29-2009, 09:40 PM

Check the cel. If its code 16 its something to do with the ignition. So Check your distributor. Get it tested at a shop, because I had the same problem. it ended up being the ICM heating up and failing. Its the small electronic on the inside of the distributor cap. You can pick one up from a junk yard and replace it. but youll need to seal it the right way or it will fail again. It usually happends to people that get refurbished distributors.

Hope that helps.

JAYMAPLE · 06-30-2009, 09:19 AM

where is the ignition switch located?? Anyone have any pics??

JAYMAPLE · 06-30-2009, 11:08 AM

Well its not the main relay just swapped it out with a new one i had laying around. Think my next move is to see if im getting spark.. Im betting on that ignition switch though just hafta figure out where its at??

red92si · 06-30-2009, 11:13 AM

Could be the ICM inside the distributor (take off the cap to get to it). Or the ignition switch in the steering column.

JAYMAPLE · 06-30-2009, 12:17 PM

I have distributer off a h23 thats in good shape should i try swapping them out?? Cause i really dont know how to locate the icm???

indylude18 · 06-30-2009, 01:03 PM

Take a look at this:

Im doing the ignition switch recall myself... here we go... pics!

It's on a 5th gen, but should be roughly the same for a 4th gen.

JAYMAPLE · 07-01-2009, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the help but i still cant find the switch, the pics from the 5th gen are alot different than what im lookin at on my fourth gen! On mine its like the whole ignition is one piece, is the switch in the middle of that assembly somewhere?? Maybe im just stuck on stupid today...lol