Bad start in hot weather?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Uncle Mike, Aug 19, 2003.

  1. Uncle Mike

    Uncle Mike Guest

    It could be the Main Relay - which charges the fuel system, check
    out the site for details. If every stop you made was more than 20 minutes
    would it be OK? I drove an entire winter with a bad relay and it never failed
    once, only when the temp rose in the spring did the car fail to start (and
    the previous fall). If it fails to start after buying gas - it is more than
    likely the main relay.


    http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm
     
    Uncle Mike, Aug 19, 2003
    #1
  2. Uncle Mike

    Mickey Guest

    Well, I'm thinking of giving up searching the problem of bad start in
    hot weather but I'll give it a last try to find out what could it be so I
    ask anyone who has an oppinion of what it could be and why?

    Thanx.
    In advance, please ignore mistakes in writing.


    Car: Honda Civic Coupe 1.5iLS 1995. year, 101 HP, fuel injected

    Problem: Car starts purely when it has been sitting in the hot sunny weather
    for about 2 hours, and it also starts purely when sitting
    on a hot sunny
    weather and was previously not driven.
    By starting purely I mean cranking for for four or five
    cranks and then
    starting irregularely, and it takes about 2-3 seconds to
    turn the oil lamp
    off, in that time RPM also rise to about propper value.
    Next start immediately after engine was turned off or a
    time of up to half
    an hour or hour it starts ok (two cranks and ignite).
    When started in the morning whan it is not hot, it starts
    immediately on the
    first crank.

    Other observations: When fuel reservoir cap is taken off after beeing driven
    there is
    woosh sound of air comming out (I'm not 100% sure maybe the
    air is getting in
    the reservoir).
    When I left it parked in the sun but I left the engine part
    in shade it started ok
    (that would exclude cabbin temperature and temperature
    around reservoir
    to have anything to do with the problem - but lets take
    that in conssideration).

    Checked or replaced parts: - resoldered main relay
    - ignition coil resistance OK
    - Ignition Control Module (ICM) resistance OK
    - Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor resistance OK
    - new spark plugs
    - new fuel filter
    - cleaned air filter (K&N)
    - EVAPorative emmision control solenoid valve (EVAP)
    working OK
    - Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor resistance OK
    - Idle Air Control (IAC) valve OK (checked by disconnecting
    in idle -> RPM fall)
    - injectors not leaking (checked under pressure out of the
    car)
    - ECM displays no error codes

    Well, what else could it be?
     
    Mickey, Aug 19, 2003
    #2
  3. Uncle Mike

    Mickey Guest

    It could be the Main Relay - which charges the fuel system, check
    You can see that I resoldered it already but I'll take it into
    consideration.

    Thanx.
     
    Mickey, Aug 20, 2003
    #3
  4. Uncle Mike

    Eric Guest

    In addition to the problems with the cold solder joints, the main relay also has
    a pair of contacts in it that can become pitted and burned much like a set of
    points from an old distributor.
     
    Eric, Aug 20, 2003
    #4
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