[bigd21vt]

I drive a 99 Acura CL 2.3L and I was having the same problem as described in the first post. While driving, the car would just randomly shut off. I could be going 70 mph down the highway and it would just turn off. It would stop while sitting at a stop light, driving 25 mph, etc., basically with no warning or pattern. After attempting to start it again 6-7 times, it would finally start back up. I would still have electrical power to the radio and other accessories, but things like turn signal, headlights, etc., would lose power (basically anything in the dash board). The problem used to occur every once in a while, like once a week, etc. But it progressively got worse, to the point where I couldn't even drive one mile before it would shut off. I would then have to pull over, try to start it again after 6-7 times, it would start back up, drive less than another mile down the road and it would do the same thing. After reading this thread, I decided to try replacing the main relay (reading the DIY thread). This cost $85 and DID NOT fix the problem. I then took the car to an import specialist, and they quickly told me that it is likely the ignition switch, as it is a common problems with accords (and a CL has the same engine). I read other suggestions about replacing the ignition switch, and that made less sense to me. If the car would not start up AT ALL, then I would think that it is a problem with the ignition switch. But as it turns out, the ignition switch actually relays power from the engine back to the vehicle. After hearing this good news from the import guys, it got even better, they explained that the ignition switch was covered as Acura did a recall on the part. The next day I took it to the Acura dealership, they replaced the part for free, and now it is running smoothly without any problems. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case they run into the same sort of problem, and take the time to thank you all for the suggestions as well!

 

[turbobore]

Same problem! I have an '02 RL and have this intermittent engine quiting problem as well. I can attempt to start the car anytime of the day and the engine will run for 3 seconds and then quit. It will then start and run after 1-3 attempts. It can also just die at the stop light and will require several attempts before it runs. Or driving down the freeway it will just die. I usually shift into neutral and coast while trying to start it. It will then run after 2-3 attempts and I shift back into drive and continue. This has been happening randomly for 1 year but has been happening with increasing frequency.

I've taken to the dealer twice over the past year and they can find nothing. I went back today and they put it on the computer and found nothing but they said it might be the electronic part of the ignition switch. That was the mechanic's gut feeling. They wanted $300 for the part and installation. So I asked "What if that's not the problem?" and the guy says well we will need to keep looking. Yeah right! I'm going to spend $300 on their guess. So I came home and checked this board.

My mechanical instinct told me it was not the electrical portion of the ignition switch like the dealer said so Friday I went back to the dealer and bought the main fuel relay switch. It cost me $83. I could have ordered it on line for $60 but this was one of those times one can't wait.

My wife had her RL at her business and in the afternoon it would not start at all. The relay finally gave up for good. I replaced the relay and it started right up. Problem solved. With the 2002 model no panels need to be removed and it took 5 minutes to replace. The only "trick" is to push the switch up to remove it from the bracket.

Thanks to this board I saved more "futile" trips to the dealer, a lot of inconvenience and some unnecessary expense. Thanks to all who shared this info!

 

[garyacura]

Thanks.............. Just found the problem in the main relay on a 98 3.5 RL with the help of the above and another thread for repair of the relay........ Thanks........

 

[Nemesis2]

1999 Acura RL 3.5 4DR
My car started to die after a few miles run and then, after a long rest, back to start again. This happened for a couple of weeks until Monday, now is all dead. Car will start if I put some carburetor cleaner inside the engine manually (intake manifold). I tested the fuel lines for pressure and there is none…
So, my question, how are the possibilities between these two: ….Main Relay or Fuel Pump? Chances!!
Hope is not the pump because where I live the fuel pump price is above $600.00…outrageous!!...I think a racing fuel pump will do the job quite well and not so highly priced. But, where or which one is the correct one?
Thx!!

 

[Nemesis2]

Problem solved!!
Faulty "Main relay”.
After showing the relay to a TV repairer guy, he replaced all the old soldering and tested it ($25) ...and voila!! Car is back on the road again!!
Main relay can be fixed!!
1999 Acura RL 3.5

 

[DC1225]

Problem solved!!
Faulty "Main relay”.
After showing the relay to a TV repairer guy, he replaced all the old soldering and tested it ($25) ...and voila!! Car is back on the road again!!
Main relay can be fixed!!
1999 Acura RL 3.5

LOL...I was going to post and say its probably the relay cause 9 x out of 10, it is....good going!

 

[TExas_LeGeNd]

Would the main relay location be at the same location on a 96 TL?

Thanks ALOT!!!

 

[wwceom]

Guys I got a main relay, switched out the old, and its still not working....How do you tell if a main relay is out...you can always buy a faulty product...any recommendations......My ? is if a main relay is not working, when you turn the key over and you hear a clicking sound when connecting the relay does this mean the main relay is ok???? Please Help...I don't want to change my fuel pump if I don't have to....

 

[wwceom]

its me again......I just stated that I baught a new main relay and it still isn't starting my car.......my ignition switch is hard to turn and its been this way for about 2 years...when I'm driving I can actually take the key out of the ignition and it will still run......(remember I can't start my car now) do you think its my ignition switch??? IF SO IS the ignition switch hard to change?

 

[prof7376]

I was having the same problem of stalling and not restarting. Took the relay out and apart. You could see with a naked eye the cracks in the solder joints on the back side of the board. Real easy fix heat up your iron, "tin" it, hold it on the terminal and wait for it to re-pool up, then just add a little more and it's fixed. Happy to say I saved $68 bucks.

 

[Rower4VT]

If I'm not yet having a main relay issue, do you think it might be advisable to add some solder to those joints to prevent future failure?

 

[CSR05]

My car died on me last night, wasnt the battery cause all electricty was still working. I pushed my 2000 3.5RL into a parking lot for further diagnosis.

When I turn the key in the ignition it WANTS to turn over, making a constant turning noise as any other car, its just not starting. Now when I turn it its make the same noise with a SMALL hiccup in between ever couple seconds (didnt know if this was relevant)

I was thinking it was the fuel filter but have had people from auto parts stores saying its unaccessible, as well as its part of the fuel pump. Yet I can find filters online for my acura.

My questions are.

1. If its the filter how do I access the filter, where is it?

2. If its not the fuel filter, I would like your guys diagnosis ASAP. Didnt know if it could also be the Main Relay or the Pump.

Thanks again guys,

-Will

 

[Rower4VT]

...people from auto parts stores saying its unaccessible...

The "auto parts store people" you talked with clearly should not be working at an auto parts store. The fuel filter is clearly visible and "accessible" the minute you open the hood. Maybe they never got the hood open. :bash:
It's to the back right of the engine compartment, just left of the brake fluid reservoir.

I highly doubt this is your problem however. If your fuel filter was getting clogged, you would have first noticed it when accelerating, or driving up hills; i.e., when the engine needed a higher flow rate of fuel. When starting the engine the fuel flow rate is pretty slow so I doubt that your filter is clogged...unless you have noticed a lot of stumbling and hiccups while accelerating and such.

Probably not the fuel pump either...it's either pumping or it's not, and if it wasn't you would be getting the hiccuping. I am admittently no expert on the Main Relay, but I would guess this might be the issue judging from what many others on this board have said about the Main Relay problems. [Knock on wood] I have not had this issue yet.

I would do a search for "main relay", or "starting" on this forum. Search the Legend threads as well, as they have a very similar setup to an RL in terms of engine and electrical....and Main Relay problems.

Please post and let us know what you find out. Thanks.

 

[Rower4VT]

I know this should not be in the Main Relay thread, but to help out CSR05...
Fuel Filter Change:
Fuel Filter Replacement: G2 - The Acura Legend & Acura RL Forum

 

[prof7376]

If I'm not yet having a main relay issue, do you think it might be advisable to add some solder to those joints to prevent future failure?

It is hard to say. It may not be a bad idea to take out the relay an look for any cracks starting. if so then yes resolder them to prevent the open circuit.

 

[map95003]

wow, haven't been here in a while....glad to see the time I took to put together the DIY steps of changing the main-relay has helped a few people.

As someone else mentioned, the fuel filter is at the top as soon as you open your hood you should see it (those auto store guys that helped you should be fired). I don't think it's the filter nor the fuel pump, but if you want to test the pump have someone listen for it while you turn the key or disconnect the line from the fuel filter (under the hood) and have someone turn the key for you, if you get fuel it 's not the pump.

From what you're describing, it sounds like your main-relay....., I just looked at the last date in your post, hopefully by now the car is fixed

 

[acurarl1996]

1996 acura rl main relay/ reset the maintenace light

hello gentlemen, having a problem with my 1996 rl
Am having trouble starting the car at times. It does not do it all the time.
The car usually will start the 4th-5th time I try to start..
Am scared the the car will leave me stranded somewhere..
Based on this thread I went ahead and got 2 main relays from Local wrecking yards. I replaced them 2 times and the problem continues.
Was going to buy from dealer at 55.00 new but think the problem is not the
relay. I don't think it is the starter. (i don't hear the click click noise).
I don't think is is the ring gear on the torque converter..
i'm exhausting all options and my last one might be my local area acura dealer.
would appreciate any suggestion/feedback..


"maintenance light required light"
did a change on my Rl recently but light light comes on.
I do the reset and the light will back on again..
anyone have problems with the "maintenance light" and how to go about
correcting it?


thansk

 

[Rower4VT]

Give us more details on the exact symptoms. When you turn the key do you hear anything?...does it turn over but just not start?...Does it sound like it's firing but not quite catch?

hello gentlemen, having a problem with my 1996 rl
Am having trouble starting the car at times. It does not do it all the time.
....

 

[clmiller24x7]

Same problem with 98 Acura TL 3.2

I ran into this same problem with my 98 TL. Verified spark to plugs and then removed bleed screw from top of fuel filter (on top of driver side firewall). Turn on ignition and could not hear fuel pump prime and no gas would pump through bleed screw.

Finally found the Fuel Relay aka MAIN Relay under the left driver side compartment. After banging my knuckles numerous times trying to get the thing out, I removed the ignition fuse module and saw the only way to remove the relay from the rail was to push up (not pull down). However the bottom of the dash would not allow the relay to push up far enough to clear the rail slides. Had to bend the rail about 45 degress to gain enough clearance to slide the relay off.

Opened the relay up and was suprised to find a cold solder joint on the coil side of the relay instead of the contact side where the current (heat) and the load is. I resoldered the joint (and all others), put the thing back together and saved myself several hundred dollars in parts and labor (a shop would have replaced the $50 relay not fixed it). I uploaded pics.

Would never have known where to look if I had not found this post. Thanks for contributing guys!

 

[Nikon1]

Great Pix, clmiller24x7 - a true worthwhile addition to the thread!

:welcome: to AcuraWorld! It's members like you that make this place what it is - a friendly group of very helpful and knowledgeable members who share their knowledge with the rest of us! Please stay around and become an active member!

:thumbsup: