revved up engine and then it just died?

So the other morning, I started the car and drove about two blocks. At the light I decide to rev the engine a few times to around 6k but then around the 6th time I did it, the revs went down and the engine shut off. When I turned the key, the engine turned over but it wouldn't fire. I put my blinkers on and starting accepting the fact that I might have to push it two blocks back to my house.

About 30 seconds later I tried firing it up again and it started right away. I went about my trip (to pick my friend up from the metro stop) and drove her really easily, making sure not to rev it too much or let it bog down too low. When I got back to the house, I revved it up again, 6 times, trying to replicate what I did last time, and the engine didn't die. It just kept purring away like nothing ever happened.

Perhaps it didn't like my reving the engine soo soon after I started it? Should I still wait and let it warm up enough before reving it? It wasn't cold that day or anything (around 75F) and all my fluids are full.

I've only had the car for about a month and the only issue I had before this was about two weeks ago I had to get my ignition switch replaced, because it wouldn't start, and since then it's been nothing but reliable. I can't think of another reason why it would do this. I know she's 20 years old, but the last 2 owners have tons of documented maintenance history, replacing all the normal stuff that should be replaced by now (85k miles) including clutch, water pump, timing belt, etc.

This happened about a week ago. Since then I've been extra careful to drive her easy, but I'm kinda scared to rev this thing out now, in fear I might get stranded. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Aaaaaaaaand today it just wont start. It was driving fine all week. Plenty of battery as the engine kept turning over but just wouldn't fire. Ugh!!! Thank god I have another car to drive. Guess I'll start lookin up similar issues other people have had and try to troubleshoot until I have a chance to get home (at work right now)

does ur fuel pump make noise?

BATMANs said:

does ur fuel pump make noise?

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I'll have to check in the morning, but is it even possible to hear cause it's submerged?

Also, if I plug up one of those code readers to my OBD port, will it give me a code saying no spark or no fuel? I don't want to just blindly start replacing parts. $$$$$!!!

I can hear mines. Then again depends on ur hearing.

What exactly should I be listening for? When the key is in the second position?

Maybe the main relay?

JoseJA1979 said:

Maybe the main relay?

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Would the main relay prevent the engine from turning over though? My engine turns over but it just doesn't start.

update - found some more info here, looks like I'll be checking out the main relay in the morning, see if the soldier connections are bad. Thanks everyone for your suggestions, being stuck at work and just wondering for 12 hours sure has me bummed out. lol

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...-resistor-or-relay-issue-car-won-t-crank-over

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/55874-Fixed-my-PGMFI-main-relay!!!!

That seems to be a reoccurring problem lately... Hope that works for you.

JoseJA1979 said:

That seems to be a reoccurring problem lately... Hope that works for you.

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I know right? The more threads I read about this, the more I thought to my self, this car is a lot less reliable than I thought! I mean yeah it's a Honda, but it's still a 20 year old Honda, so I can understand that any electronic bits would not be in the best of condition after 2 decades. (i.e. the stock radio's LCD panel glitches out sometimes, but controls still work) Still sucks though. I hate not being able to drive it, nevertheless being in fear that it will leave my stranded somewhere.

Sounds like the main relay. Don't worry, Civics and Preludes have the same known issue. Replace it and you shouldn't have issues.

sounds like the main relay. Mine went out a year or so ago and it would crank over but not start. A quick test is when your car is not wanting to start to give the relay a tap while cranking. If it is going out the tap will cause the contact to close properly and get you home from being stranded.

as to your original question, yes you should let the car warm up to operating temperature before revving it too much. wait for the oil temp to come up, then wait a few more minutes for the rest of the parts to catch up and for oil to circulate fully.

freespace303 said:

So the other morning, I started the car and drove about two blocks. At the light I decide to rev the engine a few times to around 6k but then around the 6th time I did it, the revs went down and the engine shut off... Since then I've been extra careful to drive her easy, but I'm kinda scared to rev this thing out now, in fear I might get stranded. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Advice: don't rev your NSX (or any car for that matter IMO) to 6K when you've just started it and driven 2 blocks. I'm sure that even though it was 75 degrees ambient and your fluids topped that it was not remotely close to warmed up or at operating temperature. Remember that the NSX ECU will not even allow the car to go into VTEC until it's at operating temp so I'm sure that your car was not too happy being revved 6 times to 6K cold. I'm not even sure why you would rev it once to 6K not under load and cold...

freespace303 said:

I know right? The more threads I read about this, the more I thought to my self, this car is a lot less reliable than I thought! I mean yeah it's a Honda, but it's still a 20 year old Honda, so I can understand that any electronic bits would not be in the best of condition after 2 decades. (i.e. the stock radio's LCD panel glitches out sometimes, but controls still work) Still sucks though. I hate not being able to drive it, nevertheless being in fear that it will leave my stranded somewhere.

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From my experience the NSX is a reliable car. I track mine, it makes 627whp and I use that HP often. I don't know why you would make this statement when the issue that you are discussing occurred when you revved the engine 6 times to 6K RPM cold?

Why did you recently replace the ignition switch? Are you sure that the ignition switch was bad and not the main relay? You said that you replaced the ignition switch, did you because it wouldn't CRANK or because it wouldn't START?

freespace303 said:

I know right? The more threads I read about this, the more I thought to my self, this car is a lot less reliable than I thought!

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I can empathize with you however, as an original owner of an '02, having driven the crap out of it for 11+ years, I can tell you your statement regarding reliability could not be more Inaccurate. For any vehicle, regardless of make / model, things will need to be replaced over a 20 year peroid.

Additionally,
Regardless of outside Temp, you absolutely want to ensure your car is completely warmed-up prior to driving it hard.

These cars were built to be Driven however, things will wear-out and require replacement, (O2 sensor is common); but let it warm-up.

Hang in there

Tangoman said:

Sounds like the main relay. Don't worry, Civics and Preludes have the same known issue. Replace it and you shouldn't have issues.

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Cool beans, that is re-assuring. I'll be checking it out in the morning.

Rope said:

sounds like the main relay. Mine went out a year or so ago and it would crank over but not start. A quick test is when your car is not wanting to start to give the relay a tap while cranking. If it is going out the tap will cause the contact to close properly and get you home from being stranded.

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Yeah, I'll have to try that tap thing in the morning, see if that works. Thanks!

vivanshah said:

as to your original question, yes you should let the car warm up to operating temperature before revving it too much. wait for the oil temp to come up, then wait a few more minutes for the rest of the parts to catch up and for oil to circulate fully.

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Yeah, my S2000 doesn't allow vtec till the oil is up to temp either. It wasn't very smart of me to do that, but at the time I didn't think 6k was too extreme of a rev or anything, but still, should let her warm up first. (giggity!)

curtsr said:

Advice: don't rev your NSX (or any car for that matter IMO) to 6K when you've just started it and driven 2 blocks. I'm sure that even though it was 75 degrees ambient and your fluids topped that it was not remotely close to warmed up or at operating temperature. Remember that the NSX ECU will not even allow the car to go into VTEC until it's at operating temp so I'm sure that your car was not too happy being revved 6 times to 6K cold. I'm not even sure why you would rev it once to 6K not under load and cold...

From my experience the NSX is a reliable car. I track mine, it makes 627whp and I use that HP often. I don't know why you would make this statement when the issue that you are discussing occurred when you revved the engine 6 times to 6K RPM cold?

Why did you recently replace the ignition switch? Are you sure that the ignition switch was bad and not the main relay? You said that you replaced the ignition switch, did you because it wouldn't CRANK or because it wouldn't START?

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Yeah, in foresight I feel kinda dumb for doing that. At the time I didn't think 6k was too high. When I had the Ignition Switch replaced (original post about that here...) The engine would only stay running if I held the key in the third position, then I slowly backed it down to inbetween positions 2 and 3, starter turned off but engine kept running. Position 2 is where it would just die. Posts on this site helped me out with that! Thanks everyone!

wagyshag said:

I can empathize with you however, as an original owner of an '02, having driven the crap out of it for 11+ years, I can tell you your statement regarding reliability could not be more Inaccurate. For any vehicle, regardless of make / model, things will need to be replaced over a 20 year period.

Additionally,
Regardless of outside Temp, you absolutely want to ensure your car is completely warmed-up prior to driving it hard.

These cars were built to be Driven however, things will wear-out and require replacement, (O2 sensor is common); but let it warm-up.

Hang in there

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Yeah, I'm realizing that more now, I was holding a 20 year car up to a 10 year old car (my S2k) cause it's a Honda. But I know that's wrong, even a Honda will need some parts replaced at that age. I'm just glad the NSX isn't my only car, and that I have a garage to keep it in. I should just be greatful for that, and that it didn't leave me stranded somewhere. I'll definitely be showing it more respect now in regards to the temperature. I feel bad because of that.

A little update. I installed the new Main Relay (bought from Pohanka Acura in Chantilly VA), and the car started up with no issues! It was insanely easy to replace. The hardest part was aligning that rear panel back correctly so it will stay in. That part took twice as long as replacing the relay!

Push rear panel up and out, One 10mm bolt, relay pulls out and up a bit, unplug two connectors, then reverse with new relay. Super excited and happy again now that my baby is back on the road!

Hope that keeps you reliable for a while. Do you ever come out to the Cars and Coffee events?

I wanna go to the C&C events but I'm either too lazy, working that night, or have other plans. I work nights, every Sunday-Tuesday, and every other Saturday, not including this one coming up.

Example - This upcoming Saturday I am participating in a S2K cruise to Skyline drive, hosted by "S2K Talk & Tech" facebook group.

But trust me, I'm still interested! I just gotta make the time.

The way things are going right now, you guys won't be able to get into Shenandoah National Park at all.