Is this a fuel pump relay problem?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Gordon McGrew, Jun 26, 2007.

  1. My 94 GS-R sat in the parking lot all day in the sun and it was about
    90 in Chicago today. So the inside was pretty toasty when I got in.
    The engine fired right up and I shifted immediately into reverse.
    Before I could let out the clutch, it died suddenly. Cranked and
    cranked but wouldn't restart. Opened all the windows, sunroof,
    checked the fuses, took a call on my cell phone. Must have been
    opened up for 5 - 10 minutes when I tried it again. It cranked for
    about 5 seconds and suddenly started. Ran fine all the way home with
    the AC on.

    Does this sound like a fuel pump relay? (Also called "main" relay?) I
    am thinking the car started with residual pressure and died as soon as
    the pressure dropped. The relay started working after it cooled down
    a little, but it took 5 seconds to pressurize the system before the
    engine started. Has anyone else had this experience?

    If it is the relay, is it totally unreliable at this point or is it
    likely to keep working if it stays cool?
     
    Gordon McGrew, Jun 26, 2007
    #1
  2. Gordon McGrew

    Graham W Guest

    It still could play up at any time or temperature. Get it out and
    inspect the circuit board connections with an eye-glass. It is
    pretty obvious if the joint has failed as there will be a ring shaped
    crack around the offending pin.

    Resoldering it will give it a new lease of life.
     
    Graham W, Jun 26, 2007
    #2
  3. Gordon McGrew

    jim beam Guest

    sounds like relay. don't monkey about - replace, or if you're cheap,
    resolder.
     
    jim beam, Jun 26, 2007
    #3
  4. Gordon McGrew

    jim beam Guest

    sounds like relay. don't monkey about - replace, or if you're cheap,
    resolder.
     
    jim beam, Jun 26, 2007
    #4
  5. Gordon McGrew

    motsco_ Guest

    -------------------------

    I think you've nailed it. Since you've never had trouble with it, it
    will last forever if you just resolder it. A new one will have the same
    flimsy solder on it that was on the original. Since we're talking about
    a '94, you got good life out of it already. :)

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Jun 26, 2007
    #5
  6. Gordon McGrew

    motsco_ Guest

    -------------------------

    I think you've nailed it. Since you've never had trouble with it, it
    will last forever if you just resolder it. A new one will have the same
    flimsy solder on it that was on the original. Since we're talking about
    a '94, you got good life out of it already. :)

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Jun 26, 2007
    #6
  7. Gordon McGrew

    motsco_ Guest

    ------------------------------------

    It's never totally unreliable, since you can always start a Honda that
    has a bad solder joint in the Main Relay by turning the key to position
    II, smack the dash on the left side of the steering wheel (North
    America), and listen to the fuel pump run for three seconds. Honda will
    start and vibration will usually keep the relay 'sparkin' to get you
    wherever you need to go.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Jun 27, 2007
    #7
  8. Gordon McGrew

    motsco_ Guest

    ------------------------------------

    It's never totally unreliable, since you can always start a Honda that
    has a bad solder joint in the Main Relay by turning the key to position
    II, smack the dash on the left side of the steering wheel (North
    America), and listen to the fuel pump run for three seconds. Honda will
    start and vibration will usually keep the relay 'sparkin' to get you
    wherever you need to go.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Jun 27, 2007
    #8
  9. Thanks Curly and all who replied.

    I am waiting for an opportune time to pull it out and solder it up. I
    will probably go ahead and hit all the pins unless there is a reason
    not to. Worked fine today but it was cooler.
     
    Gordon McGrew, Jun 27, 2007
    #9
  10. Thanks Curly and all who replied.

    I am waiting for an opportune time to pull it out and solder it up. I
    will probably go ahead and hit all the pins unless there is a reason
    not to. Worked fine today but it was cooler.
     
    Gordon McGrew, Jun 27, 2007
    #10
  11. Gordon McGrew

    jim beam Guest

    best results come with de-soldering first. use a good quality higher
    wattage soldering tool. some of the terminals you need to solder are
    quite big pieces of copper and they'll suck the heat to the point of
    uselessness on the usual small stuff. i have a 60W hakko and it's about
    right.
     
    jim beam, Jun 27, 2007
    #11
  12. Gordon McGrew

    jim beam Guest

    best results come with de-soldering first. use a good quality higher
    wattage soldering tool. some of the terminals you need to solder are
    quite big pieces of copper and they'll suck the heat to the point of
    uselessness on the usual small stuff. i have a 60W hakko and it's about
    right.
     
    jim beam, Jun 27, 2007
    #12
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