main relay? I really need help :(

ak

Legendary Member
Joined
17 April 2000
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Location
Northern VA
Well, I am really having bad luck :(

First, after install dali chip, my car wouldn't rev past 7300rpm. I open up the ecu and make sure the chip is installed cleanly, reset the ECU and it seems to have fixed the problem...except.

While I was test driving, my car dies...on ramp for a highway! I tried to restart and i keep on hearing clicking noise. It turns out, the main relay is making this clicking noise. I limp to a nearby mall where I can't go any further and call a tow truck.

The tow guy screws up my RM spoiler badly, then to add to it, my car runs into the back of the tow truck while unloading. My car was sitting on a small ramp after coming off of the tow truck and it was supposed to go backwards after that..however it rolled forward. I was in the driver seat and because it was unexpected and sudden, I don't hit the brake in time and now I have a nice huge scars on the front bumper. The tow guy blames me since I was in the driver's seat and leaves. I think the scars can mostly be buffed out but still. :(

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the main relay clicking like this. It sounds like it's got a short somewhere. When I disconnect one of the two connectors(doesn't matter which) it stops clicking so I am guessing the main relay went bad but not sure. Is this a common problem to have faulty relay? It was fine till just now :( I am about to cry right now...
 
I just checked the manual and it says ECU provides ground to the main relay...this must mean my ECU is jacked.... :(
 
The problem is apparently becoming more prevalent. I had it happen (no clicking, but car dying on the road and a bad main relay) a few months ago. They hadn't seen it before at Acura of Brookfield, but it happened to a few forum members.

If you do a search of 'main relay' you will find a few threads about it.

It is a relatively inexpensive part, say $85 list, and a simple installation (I am told).

You could be having another problem, but the main relay sounds like a good place to start.
 
I had a problem with the main relay too. All I did was clean the contact points on it and the frame of the car. But then again, my car was having some strange problems as the wipers turning on when I made a left turn, and the radio getting louder all by itself. I almost named the car Christine!
 
well the car is running now, but I'm not sure what to make of it. Yesterday, it didn't start cutting out until I was driving hard for 20 min-30 min or so, and I remember the ECU was getting pretty darn hot.

The only thing I did this morning was to reseat the chip. It was in there but not tight enough I guess. I'm wondering since everything got cooler over night, it seems as though everything is ok.... :o I still don't trust it...
 
Man this is getting crazy....

I put the stock chip back on and now it seems to run...but now the CEL is on and nothing comes up when I tried to retrieve the code...I think this means the ECU is bad... i'm going nuts. :o
 
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