Very Strange Problem with 92 civic

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Paul - 13 Sep 2007 20:12 GMT

I have a 1992 Honda Civic DX with Auto trans. From time to time when
it sits for about 8 hours in a sunny spot when its about 70-75F
outside it will not start. The starter will just crank. If I proceed
to remove a spark plug it will start and run on 3 cylinders. I shut
it off, put the plug back, and it starts and run perfectly on all 4
cylinders. This has happened 3 times now and I don't have a clue
why. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Paul.

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Jeff - 13 Sep 2007 21:22 GMT

it's not anything to do with your spark plugs. it's the main relay which is
located under the dashboard. the solder on them goes dry after so many
years. the inside of the car is hot and the main relay is located inside the
car. when you open the car door and let air circulate thru the car the main
relay starts working. you're probably going to ruin your engine doing the 3
cylinder thing. Read this: http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainrelay.html
also google honda main relay and you'll get more information about it. you
can fix it yourself with a soldering gun.

-jeff

> I have a 1992 Honda Civic DX with Auto trans. From time to time when
> it sits for about 8 hours in a sunny spot when its about 70-75F
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Thanks Paul.

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Jeff - 13 Sep 2007 22:09 GMT

also on your honda civic the location of the main relay is under the
dashboard behind the hood release latch. the casing on it is light gray.

-jeff

> it's not anything to do with your spark plugs. it's the main relay which is
> located under the dashboard. the solder on them goes dry after so many
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> >
> > Thanks Paul.

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Paul - 13 Sep 2007 23:13 GMT

> it's not anything to do with your spark plugs. it's the main relay which is
> located under the dashboard. the solder on them goes dry after so many
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> > Thanks Paul.

Thanks! That is exactly it, but what can I do until I have time to
replace the main relay, if it doesn't start just leave the door open
to let the car cool down?

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Jeff - 13 Sep 2007 23:46 GMT

you can do that but if it's starting to act up it can go out totally in
time. just roll down the windows and let air get in the car if it starts
doing after it's been parked in the sun. it doesn't take too long to fix
also.

-jeff

> > it's not anything to do with your spark plugs. it's the main relay which is
> > located under the dashboard. the solder on them goes dry after so many
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> replace the main relay, if it doesn't start just leave the door open
> to let the car cool down?

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Greg - 18 Sep 2007 23:02 GMT

that sucks. main relay could be iit, or bad connections somewhere.
check all your grounds

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