94 Civic Lx Intermittent no start

1st sympton: Very low rpm when parking,Then engine dies.
Would not restart. After short wait, restarted and ran fine
for couple of days.
2nd sympton:Would not start first thing in morning. After
short wait (min. or two)engine started but ran only a second
or two. It did this two or three times. After overnight wait and some
reading of Tegger's FAQ I turned the ignition to first click
on main relay three or four times and the engine started and
ran fine. (So far). I went through the routine of counting the
clicks on the main relay and got two clear clicks and maybe
a third (hearing aid turned up to near max) before engine started.

The Check Engine light goes off at second click and stays off when
the engine is runing.

Is there anything more likely than main relay that I should
check before I replace the relay?
Thanks
Ernie

 

wrote in

Check throttle body cleanliness, and check base idle.

Low idle is also symptomatic of poor maintenance: Old secondary ignition
components, that sort of thing.

I wear one too. Have somebody listen for the fuel pump running while the
CEL is on when you first turn the key to the II position. Have your helper
listen beside the left rear wheel. It's a buzzing noise, will only last two
seconds, and is impossible for me to hear myself.

If the buzzing is heard, and three clicks are present at the Main Relay,
but the car still starts hard, try turning the key to II until the CEL goes
out, then back to OFF, then repeat a dozen times or so. If it now starts,
the fuel pump check valve may be sticking open, allowing pressure to bleed
off back to the tank when the pum isn't running.

You should have THREE clicks, not two. Reach around the back of the dash
and put your fingertips on the Main Relay. That way you'll feel the clicks,
which with my ears is a more accurate method.

Click ONE: Key turned to II, CEL comes on
Click TWO: CEL goes off, key still at II
Click THREE: only happens once you start cranking.