'91 Honda Accord main relay replacement

First of all I have now learned that the part that I called "power steering" Is actually the CRUISE CONTROL. Thank you all who noticed and corrected my misinformation.
I was having trouble with my '91 Honda Accord starting. I would turn the key, the engine would crank, but it would not start. I was told to remove my battery cable for a few min to reset the computer. And voila! It started. This happened 3 times in a week.
After much researching, one solution kept coming up, the main relay assembly. It is the part that controls the signal to the fuel pump. It took very little time or tools. The part that was hard was getting to it. It was under the dash to the left of the steering wheel waaay up in the dash. It took some yoga moves, but I had it out and back in in about 35 min. I used a 10mm socket wrench with an extension and a small flat head screwdriver.

[@Amberdawnn76]

I feel humbled that even though so many years have passed my humble video is still helping people. I only made this because I didn't want to see others struggle to be able to fix theirs as much as I did. St the time there wasn't a through and simple video or set of instructions that I could find. I never expected this to blow up like it did and for so many to find it useful. Thank you for all your support over the years and letting me know you found this video helpful. May your Honda carry you another 200k miles and beyond.

[@irregularmana6216]

Out of all the car videos regarding the main relay for an early 90s accord this was the most helpful. Thank you

[@Amberdawnn76]

That is so kind of you to say. That means a lot. I'm touched to know I could help. Its funny because when I made this there wasn't one showing how to do it and I just wanted to make it easier for other people. I never expected my video to blow up.

[@thomasbyrne5299]

I'm a former mechanic and an engineer and you just really helped me out. Way to work the problem and find a solution. You rock.

[@Amberdawnn76]

That means a lot coming from a professional mechanic.

[@Sinew0575]

Of all the videos I searched for you were the only one to keep it simple and hit the nail on the head! Thanks you saved me a good bit of cash.

[@Mista808]

Funny how us guys give women crap when they talk about cars, and yet after the hours of videos I've watched with men.. Amber is the only one who explained it thoroughly enough for me to easily understand the entire process. Because of this video, I now have a main relay on order from Amazon for my 90 Civic SI Hatch. Gracias! & subscribed!

[@Amberdawnn76]

mista808 You just made my day. thank you.

[@vuilgatmusic7333]

Ayo! Thanks for the quick link.

[@DevaJones03]

@@Amberdawnn76 thanks so much for this now I can fix my neighbors. Had no clue where this was. Don't listen to the internet idiots

[@ohshit109powercorrupts]

KZbin is very resourceful for small jobs like this. I love to see people working to figure out how to do it themselves.

[@williamcapp8602]

You are awesome woman! I got to repair the main relay switch on my daughter's first car that I ended up having to drive for 2 months when my suburban broke. I was tired of waiting on my husband And just decided to do it myself and I couldn't have done it without you!

[@randystarks6380]

Your video blew my mind! Thank you so much. I would never have attempted this repair without your step-by-step instructions and the contortions you had to assume to produce it. I'm a professional videographer and I recognize your effort. I had the tools I needed and the visuals of what I was looking for, all ahead of time thanks to you. Like others on this list I had put up with my Honda's quirks for three summers until I searched for a solution. I'm old and kinda long and lanky for getting under the dash, but aside from a bruise on my shoulder and 30-minutes of my time this problem is now solved thanks to you. You saved me quite a lot of money all thanks to your video. You rock, indeed! Thanks again.

[@melefasin]

Love your video. I have a 92 accord and have read on a few sites that this might be the problem but have been putting off doing it myself. live in west Texas and getting caught in the heat waiting for my car to start is no fun at all. Thanks to you showing how easy it is I am going to go ahead and attempt it myself. Thanks for the video!

[@ronaldbowks7607]

Lady...you are precious. This is excellent!!! Wish engineers, parts stores, and mechanics were half as helpful.

[@ohshit109powercorrupts]

I love this video and the fact that you were resourceful and took the initiative to replace the Main Fuel Relay yourself. I am also a woman and my car would crank but not start. I called out mechanics who did nothing but charge me for them to "guess" what the problem was. First they said it was the distributor. I went onto KZbin and found out how to replace it myself. It wasn't the problem. Now they say its the fuel pump and want to charge me $150.00 for labor. I will do it myself.

[@whitehors8]

Thanks for posting this video & letting us know that you've never did it before. Probably gave lots of people the confidence to try it on their own! I'm going to put a main relay on my daughter's Honda Accord today!

[@derekcann1]

Thank you very much. I tried to change the relay on my 1990 accord this afternoon. I could not see it under there. So I found your video, watched it and went back in my garage and did exactly what you said and had the job done in 15 minutes( I left the old one there and just clicked the wiring in the new one) . Awesome what you have done to help people like myself. Two thumbs up!!

[@markhudson3461]

THIS IS THE RICHEST AND MOST SPECIFIC AND MOST ELEGANT EXPLANATION OF THE LOCATION OF THE MAIN (FUEL PUMP) RELAY.. bravo and cheers and such.. the best part is that you take us through the threshold of outside to inside-upside-down, which is critical and MISSING in every video I have watched up to this point. teach!!

[@Amberdawnn76]

Wow! Thank you. I remember searching for a video to help me when I needed to change it and found nothing. I just figured that since I could I may as well make a video for others. I never expected the turnout I have gotten. I miss my Honda and would have loved to make other videos about her. I'm so glad I could help.

[@davidgillenwaters8712]

Great, great, great, great video. Thanks so much for posting this. My neighbor's daughter has been having this problem and a "mechanic" told her she needed a new distributor and main relay and he'd do it for a whopping $500!!! That told me he was fishing for an answer. Your video narrowed it down. Thanks for helping me save this young lady $450.

[@InfinitySquared79]

Thanks! This happened to me this week, and I was stranded on the side of a major highway. After letting it sit for a couple of hours, it started right up and I drove it home, but it hasn't stared since. I was going to replace the fuel pump until I found out about this relay. Thanks again for showing me where it's located! Going to try that today.

[@nickonajite9799]

Amber you are awesome! I have the same problem with my car and seeing this very detailed video made by you, a woman, and I mean no disrespect, is really commendable. I intend to get mine replaced tomorrow. Thanks again and ignore the rude and ignorant posts of some empty heads here. Thank you and God bless!!

[@rrastetter]

I'm a delivery driver and every so often i'd start my car, it'd fire up and quit instantly, and then it wouldnt start for a minute. Now it wouldnt start at all, fixed it thanks to your video! Cheers!

[@scatteredreams]

hi there I just want to thank you SO MUCH for this video. For so long me and my dad were trying to figure out how to fix my car cuz we had the same problem that you had. Thanks to this video its running great now! :) Me and my dad just want to thank you and that you are awesome for doing a lot of this on your own. Us woman are just as capable of fixing a car as a man is

[@rickyambrose8797]

You are awesome! Best diy KZbin video I have ever seen! Very thorough and excellent video of under the dash and your explanation of how to do the job was very very good! You could probably show up a lot of men who call themselves mechanics!

[@DCtheDC]

That was great Amber! I had to replace mine and I spent several hours trying to figure out where the relay was. I didn't realize it was hidden. You were right, once I found it, it wasn't that hard to replace. I wish I had seen your video before I did mine.

[@redshawty29]

I found out a company took mine out. I replace all fuel related parts n same sound u made......Im going to get one this morning and taking ur video with me to show the guy there at autozone....Funny thing is I saw the lil brown fuse thing hangin down and they said extra fuse or somethong but i got in my car same way as u....WOW UR A BLESSING.

[@perryjones8997]

Thank you so much for helping me find this part. I was getting no "fire" to my plugs. Two weeks of youtube videos and other "expert" advice and a (wasted) 200 dollar aftermarket distributor it turned out to be a faulty Main Relay (apparently, if this relay fails, then the "signal" to the distributor to "spark" wont happen. Didnt find this tidbit in any videos i watched. So...if no spark and no fuel...check main relay. Thanks for helping me find this!!!

[@kwest30038]

Ms. Waite, thank you for the video. I'm swapping out the main relay today on a 98 Accord. Thank you so much

[@carson411]

Thanks to your video I was able to change this part on a used car that I had just purchased as my son's first car. You are truly a gift... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... I felt bad being that while returning home the car stopped and wouldn't restart after only a few hours.

[@murraystewartj]

Thanks, Amber, I was going nuts trying to find out where the thing was. I have to pull it to test it, but am not looking forward to the contortions (even though I'm a skinny guy the bad back hates getting up under the dash). I agree with your replacement versus fixing argument. When I bought my 91 Accord the daytime running light relay was shot - huge cost to replace. Tried re-soldering the nine connections recommended by KZbinrs, and it would work for a few months and give out. After the third time I gave up and now just turn my headlights on whenever I drive (has the bonus of having my tail lights lit for better visibility from the rear). Don't know if you still have your Accord, but with help from people like you I'm determined to keep mine going for much more than the 370,000 km on the clock right now. And there should be a special circle of hell for automotive designers who require owners to be snakes to fix stuff on their cars.

[@gigiblue7441]

WAY TO GO! KZbin and people like you make diagnosing, finding and fixing do-able and affordable for those of us on a budget and lacking the confidence to even try! THANK YOU!!! And even if I can't do it myself physically - I know what it is and how it is fixed so I won't be taken because of my lack of knowledge! THANKS!!

[@dustinwalker8503]

Thanks for the video. This seems to be the only video that shows exactly where the relay is. The guys in the other vids just point to the dash and say "it's right there" and then cut to them holding the relay in their hand.

[@michaelvannorden786]

You are great, I have a Honda Shop manual that shows were the relay is but I could never see it. The power steering unit that she calls out is the cruise control. That you so much for saving me time for finding the relay.

[@allure91mlar]

thank you very much your video is the best, my husband spent hours trying to find the main relay and only with your video could find the exact location you are the best

[@beanheadshop]

Hats off to you for ventiring into the unknown!

[@edoublehay]

You are awesome ! Not many women will even try to do what you did, You guy is one lucky man to have a smart and pretty woman in his life :)

[@Sean_S]

Good! I admire both your tenacity and your camera work...thanks for the video...

[@Amberdawnn76]

Thanks so much.

[@sherrycookcook]

This vid helped me so much. My son's 1992 honda accord is up & running again. The info on the tool size was helpful. Couldn't have done it w/out this vid. Thanx saved us lots of $

[@adielescobar1]

I wish my wife did her homework like you. This video will convince her of what i suspect is wrong with her honda accord. Keep making videos like this.

[@sggodskesen]

The silver box is for the cruise control, - not for the power steering! Other than that I must salute you for being a innovative girl filming at an extremely difficult place. Well done my girl!

[@jimbarron8688]

Greetings! First let me praise you for getting down and making the effort let alone making this very informative video. A few days ago, a hot day I might add, my Accord failed to start. My local garage whom I trust implicitly diagnosed this very same issue... the main power relay under the left dash. They charged me $170 C and the car starts like new again. It seems this is a common problem as the solder joints in this relay become 'cold' i.e they need to be resoldered to restore electrical continuity. Anyway, my only complaint is I didn't find your video in time to preemptively sort my relay out. Thank you again for being an intrepid car girl!

[@Amberdawnn76]

Thank you so much. Even 13 years later I'm still humbled everytime someone takes the time to comment. I'm sorry I wasn't in time to help you.

[@joestillson6676]

just wanted to say thank you we were going to change the fuel pump and the fuel filter and after watching your video I went underneath there and tapped on that relay and lo and behold it started so we replace the solenoid and we're good to go thank you very much saved us a bunch of money

[@Amberdawnn76]

comments like this are what make me so glad I made this video.

[@BrianByersbbnomad76]

This is the most basic and straightforward video I've seen about this! Thank you! Maybe you should make more car vids!

[@taxigringo]

You suprised me with a nice video presentation. I will apply your lesson to my daughter's car tomorrow if the main relay is the problem. Thanks.

[@richardpoole8889]

Awesome walkthrough, now I feel very confident in knowing what I need to do in checking my relay for solder cracks (hard to start when hot). Thanks from sunny SoCal.

[@sunnijames2802]

Thanks Amber I have a 91 accord that's been giving me the blues lately. After watching several videos on the relay issue and where it actually is located I wasn't getting that info. Now, I don't know what I'm doing but I know something needs to be done and your video was straight forward and to the point. I will be buying a new main relay and not a patch job. Thanks chica!

[@Amberdawnn76]

sunni james do you still have your Honda? how is it running?

[@jonathanquintana3]

I have a honda accord and I also had a hard time finding it, mine was a bit easier after I saw your video. Thank you so much for uploading the video!

[@8000RPM.]

This was exactly what I was looking for. My daughter has an Accord. I actually repaired the main relay in my CRX by re-soldering the connections. A note to anyone who chooses the re-solder route. Use a solder sucker to remove the old solder, then use flux and new solder. I

[@jacktone8769]

Yours is the best video yet on this problem. Motivated my sone to try, they were successful thanks to you.

[@TheRoseblossom1986]

i have a 98 honda civc and since my dad works nights, its hard to get him up to help me with my car. so guess whos going to try to change the main relay by herself? lol, your video helped me and gave me confidence that i can do it! thanks!

[@activerelic4385]

Well thanks hunn!!!! 9yrs old and it's still helpin folk!!!

[@Amberdawnn76]

I never ever expected this to blow up like it did. Im still fixing stuff just a minivan now.

[@johnsteed265]

Great job Amber! I was wondering how to best get it! Thanks for the video!

[@cam12121able]

GREAT JOB I'D SAY. AFTER LISTENING TO EVERYONE ELSE I JUST REPLACED IT AND FORGET ABOUT REPAIRING IT. FANTASTIC AND THANK YOU.

[@williamcarter6946]

Thanks a bunch! You just saved me over eighty dollars. My 2000 Accord runs like a champ. Thanks again!

[@mywickedness]

Nice video, I used a 10mm deep socket with a 6" extension and a adapter to place on my cordless drill. The deep socket is needed for the nuts holding the bracket for the main relay. Everything came out smoothly.

[@Rickkari7]

Professional tech. This video helped me locate and change a main relay on a customers car. Thanks. Thumbs up!

[@Amberdawnn76]

Rickkari7 that really brightens my day. I'm so glad I was helpful. Funny thing is I made this video because there wasn't another one for this, I never knew it would take off like it has. Guess a lot of people have trouble with their relays.

[@jorgerivera8988]

god bless you lady... after some visits with a lot of mechanics guys i found the solution to my accord problem.. and it was on youtube.. tomorrow i'll try to change the main relay.

[@chrisburnette8148]

Thanks for your help! Wasn't comfortable or fun in the dark, but with your video it was just a matter of time. Super appreciated!

[@Amberdawnn76]

did this fix the issue?

[@chrisburnette8148]

+Amber Waite it did!! no failed starts since!!!

[@Amberdawnn76]

+Chris Burnette so glad to hear that. I decided to make this video because at the time I couldn't find one that address this issue. until late the day mine sold, 3 years, I never had a starting issue again.

[@chrisburnette8148]

+Amber Waite so cool. i hope i have the same luck you did! lol. seriously thanks so much for your help. i dont even want to think about the stress i would be in without your help! i mean that!

[@catalunarocks]

Thank you so much for sharing this! It was pretty easy to fix and kinda fun and you saved me a BUNCH of money. way awesome! it was such a pain trying to find a shady part to park and now it starts up anywhere, yay. :)

[@souporlouis]

Thank you for this video! i could have never done this without it..u showed everything that needed showing, i prolly couldnt have NOT been able to do it after watching this..thanks again!

[@tacomargboffrode1771]

Appreciate you taking the time to help other people.

[@67vortiz]

Thanks: I had a problem with my Honda it would not start. I saw your video and did exactly as you showed on the video, and the car started right away. Thanks again.

[@Amberdawnn76]

I am so glad this worked for you. It makes me happy to see others being able to save money.

[@avurruva5836]

This was the most useful video I've found so far regarding the issue , thanks a lot !

[@WillyMcCoy50]

Most ladies, as well as most men I know, would be totally stumped and junk the car. I guess it's part of the disposable mindset. Very refreshing to see your solution. I wish I lived on your block.

[@wipphalo1573]

Good job amber I have a 90 j code cb7 as well had it for over 11 years and not letting go. Thanks for the tutorial

[@kennethaustin5053]

the repair was flawless. lol. i had nothing to unscrew on my 2000 accord. only one plug. now i did have to twist and turn a bit. Thanks once again.

[@Amberdawnn76]

I'm so glad it helped you even tho it wasn't exactly the same. at least it gave you a starting point.

[@yojanaruiz6055]

Thanks you saved me from buying a new fuel pump. It really helped!!!!! I had the exact same problem and you helped me solve it!!!!!

[@Amberdawnn76]

I am so glad. That was the point, shops charge too much and with a little bit of research and willingness anyone can fix a lot with their cars.

[@whoadee4451]

Before I was looking for the main relay on the wall by the left foot step pad. Great video.

[@hassuneh]

Thank you Amber. It was like you were describing my problem. I only have the problem when it is a hot day. Starts fine in the morning and at night for my 91 Accord. Sometimes jump strating it will work. Have change the distributor twice but keeps hapening again. Will try replacing the main relay. Thank you again.

[@mikeb8948]

Thank you so much for your video, I was able to replace the main relay on my 1993 Honda Accord. I had the same issue, car won’t start when it’s hot. It was the same process except that the location of the relay was in a tighter spot, electrical wiring was in the way, btw, my car has a manual transmission. Now able to start the car even when hot. 👍

[@Amberdawnn76]

I'm so happy to hear that all these years later this is still helping people.

[@mikeb8948]

Yes, you’re still helping people after all these years and I love this car, it’ll be 30 yrs. old this July ( bought it brand new ). It now has 488,000 miles and counting, could have been way past 500,000 miles had I not retired. Used the car to and from work, 6 days/wk, 100 mi./day. Rarely used the car in its early years. Thanks again for your helpful video and more power to you !👍

[@locoken]

Got the very same problem. Haven't changed it out yet but will be very shortly. Thanks for making this video. I will let you know how it goes!

[@chapo6502]

thanks your video saved my life ... I was with mechanical looking the part and could not find it until I saw the video. thanks your video helped me a lot ...

[@RobMillerATV]

Very nice video. saves so much time when you know exactly what to go for under the dash. thank you very much.

[@airsmith298]

You are awesome. Love a woman who knows how to make it happen. Great job.

[@patrickhowley2149]

Great work Amber! Thanks for going to the effort of shooting and sharing this very instructional, helpful and cost-saving clip. I am going to try to manage the same fix on my 96 Acura....

[@jimkoroush231]

Excellent Video. You even took the time to get under the dash, Outstanding. More details about the car would have been helpful as year of car, make, model, engine size, etc. Again Outstanding.

[@FilsdAveluy]

Thank you very much - I did see a lot of articles on this but finding the piece is the hard part. This was a very good explanation!

[@vermasean]

Excellent video; here I am 11 years later. Obligatory Liked and Sub’d! 👍▶️ 🔧

[@Amberdawnn76]

My car wouldn't start at all. But I have been told that some people had the problem you are describing also. What I have been told is that there is a crack in the part that is effected by heat. The heat causes swelling between two parts creating a bad connection. This in turn causes the car to either not start or cut off depending on how bad the crack has become. Replacing the part is a cheap and easy way to fix this. I hope that is what you need to get you back on the road.

[@kctamil]

@Amberdawnn76 - Thanks a ton. I had the exact problem with my 93 Honda Accord. It used have starting problems intermittently. About a year back, a mechanic diagnosed it and told that the fuel pump was bad and I replaced it. But the problem never went away - it was getting bad by the day and finally about a week ago, the car would not start at all. Found your video very very helpful. Followed it step by step and it worked. Again, thank you very much and God bless...

[@speedzzz]

Good for you Amber. A mechanic would have taken your car for an entire day so they make it seem like they did a lot of work to your car and charge you $200.00 for the work you did. Keep your money in your pocket.

[@jeffkeryk3550]

Nice work! I just did a 1998 Accord LX. I had to unbolt the seat and move it rearward. $40 on Amazon; delivered next day.

[@johnmoore4714]

Thanks to you I found it. I caught hell looking for it 💪

[@XoIacobus3oX]

Thank you for your video! It saved me time and money by doing it myself instead of taking it into the mechanic. You are Awesome! Thank you again! :)

[@Mak933]

Fixed it! Thank you for help diagnosing and providing instruction! I re soldered all joints on the circuit board, placed it back into the housing and no more crank no starts. I have explained more detail below.

[@tomgrandshaw2367]

It's great to see that you were successful here, nice work all around. You demonstrate that anyone can do what you've done. Thank you.

[@Its_me_june]

Bless your heart I am a woman and not a mechanic I am do glad you posted this

[@ortona43]

Great how- to video- was very helpful !Thanks for taking the time... many thanks!

[@lucasboddicker]

I wish more women would post auto repair videos like this. Some things are so easy if you just try and I think your amateur approach helps remove intimidation. Thanks for posting this.

[@pamelataylor8603]

Thanks for sharing that info. I have a little 91 accord also and it was starting at first, but when you turn it off it won't restart, we've changed the fuel screen and the fuel pump. Will try and replace that relay next.

[@Amberdawnn76]

how did the repair go? did it work?

[@cherylenglund9100]

Great Job Amber ! Im a DIY person too & this is a wonderful video for anyone who would want to try it !

[@Amberdawnn76]

Thank you for all your wonderful comments. I am thinking about posting another video when I change my pads. An easy job I know. But I would still like to show all of you the work I do myself. This is the easiest car I have ever had to work on. She is at 213,465 miles and tho she idles a but rough, (I believe I have a carbon build up on the throttle) she is a marvelous car!

[@jodycornelius8258]

Thank you Amber i just had to change one. This vid was the biggest help.

[@Amberdawnn76]

jody cornelius t ha k you for your kind words. I'm so glad it worked out for you.

[@jbgort]

YOU ROCK . A youtube STAR. Simple , shows it like it is,.Running upstairs to do mine. 1990 accord

[@Amberdawnn76]

How did it go?

[@Amberdawnn76]

I had to look it up. I had a friend at the time who owned a shop and suggested that may be the problem. AutoZone was very helpful and printed out diagrams.

[@DanElmer]

Good job and great way of explaining.

[@monochrome83]

Very informative. Fuel pump issue with mine, but this is definitely where ill start. Thank you

[@KingAce707]

Hey Amber my name is Abel and i wanted to know if you can continue to make videos for working on honda accords? You helped me fix a problem ive been haveing for a long time! You explained everything very well. Keep you the great work my friend!

[@Amberdawnn76]

Abel Tirado I no longer have a Honda, sadly.

[@jaymiller3993]

Thanks for your video it helped me get my car started.

[@bgundy82]

The BEST vid on here for this. Good job girl! Your a life saver, and one sharp cookie!!! ♥

[@DennisBritton]

Awesome! thanks for the clear info and useful tips.

[@justinporter6975]

Great video!!! 100% helped. Am going to go try and replace it now, thank you!

[@cathyrecino8201]

Thank you for.doing this video . I'm having problems with my car not turning on and been doing research so I can do it myself

[@LouiseQuoVadis]

Thank you very much, Amber. You rock.