Hey folks!

I have a 91 Integra (automatic) that's having some issues.

1. Idle seems to be a little low. Occassionally will drop to the point that I'm afraid that the car will stop running. Most times, the computer seems to wake up all of a sudden and increase the idle up, but after a while it settles and then eventually dips down again. I'm guessing all I need to do is flip through my repair manual and find a mechanical adjustment for it and tweak it to idle at higher RPMs?

2. May or may not be related to 1 (which is why I listed it) -- occassionally my car will not start. I turn the key in the ignition, everything starts up, the engine sounds like its going to start up but by the time I let up on the key, the tach drops to 0 and my car is dead. I have to time things right to get it to start once this happens -- turn the key, hold it in the ignition position a tad longer, gas it as the egine cranks up initially and try to keep the RPMs up from dropping to 0. This doesn't happen all the time either -- first thing in the morning, or a couple of times after my car had been sitting in a lot for a few hours. Usually in cold temps.

I've recently had a valve job, timing belt's been replaced, new spark plugs and cables, distributor cap's been replaced, new coil... so I don't think its the distributor and post distributor components...

I think I remember somebody posting a while back about know problems with the ignition relay or something...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

The fact that you have to push on the gas when you start it I would say check your fuel system. When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced? This is a good place to start then your fuel pressure. I would have to say if the relay was going bad you wouldn't be getting anything at all from the engine.

 

if you havent done the fuel filter in a while replace it while your at it. sounds like its your main fuel relay though, mine was doing the exact same thing. also hows your mileage, if you are getting real bad mileage as of late a bad o2 sensor could also be the problem. my bet is on the main fuel relay. good luck

 

I'll check the fuel filter, but what was that about the main fuel relay?? Is this the common issue I was thinking about?

Also, I did get my O2 sensor replaced recently so it's probably not that. Forgot to mention that it was replaced. My mileage seems about average with my usual so I haven't seen a drop in that...

Oh yeah, would a problem in the fuel filter and/or main fuel relay also cause my #1 problem (low idle)?

Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

yes the main fuel relay is a common problem among the 90-03 tegs. dunno bout the newer ones. and yes it can cause a low/crappy idle.
hth

 

I was looking at the Acura Service Manual and it says (page 11-91) under the Main Relay / Relay Testing section:

"NOTE: If the car starts and continues to run, the main relay is OK."

Also, what about the main fuel relay usually goes bad? Since my car starts most of the time and only intermittently doesn't, is it the Starter Signal portion of the relay?

Since I would normally check for continuity or no continuity depending on whether a signal is provided or not on specific pins of the relay, what should I look for as a cause for an intermittent problem?

Finally, I looked at the main fuel relay for kicks. I unplugged the wiring harness, checked for bad connectors, etc and plugged it back into the relay connector (in case there was a connection problem). If I have to replace that darn thing, how do I get the old one out? It looks to be mounted in there pretty good. I can't find a description in my service manual for removal of the relay. The only reference I seem to find is that it's "installed at the left side cowl".

 

it is held in there by a 10mm bolt, i dont know how to check if your main fuel relay is good or not. i just went and replaced it and it fixed all my non starting issues i had last summer.

 

check out g2ic.com..... its a second generation integra page..just do some searching in the fourms.. and i guarantee you will find what you need...

 

grampafunk,

hey thanks for referring me to the g2ic website! I found a post on there on "DIY main fuel relay fix". Right down my alley! I just reinstalled my cleanly resoldered relay -- we'll see if this helps me out with my problem.

I'm still not convinced that the relay could be the cause for my low idle (about 500rpm or lower).

I will probably have a chance in the morning to check out my fuel filter -- I bet that (old fuel filter) might be the contributor though...

anyway, thanks again for letting me know about the site!

 

OK, so the relay fix didn't seem to help. The car didn't start this morning. I had time today so I got a new fuel filter and replaced the old one and also cleaned the battery terminals and connectors. So far, the car has managed to start.

To clarify my starting problem, the engine does turn when I put the key into the Start position. It sounds fine and dandy, but by the time I release the key, the engine just simply dies.

I've read other people suggesting air leaks into the Throttle Body or build up... but I also removed the air hose and examined the throttle plate and it looked pretty clean in there. Nothing seems to impede the plate's movement nor was there any excess build up.

Anybody have any other ideas? My thoughts are now on the Throttle position sensor or.... something... *shrug*

Also, I was hoping that the fuel filter might clean up my low idle problem. No go... it still idles around 400-500 rpm... sometimes dipping so low the engine sounds like it's going to die.

Should I just try to adjust the idle screw on the top section of the Throttle Body?

Any help would be appreciated!