Questions and Answers

Acura Integra Fuel Pump? Q. Hi Vincent: I'm wondering if you can help me. I've got a 1986 Acura Integra LS that has 220,000 miles on it. It runs very well, except lately it's had trouble starting a second time. I read your article on main relays, but it didn't quite seem to fit what I'm experiencing. It has been suggested by a local Honda mechanic that I have a fuel pump problem.

Here's what it has done recently: The first attempt at a cold start goes fine. Car always starts right up. However, after I drive a bit or if I immediately turn the ignition switch off, then immediately re-start, the car will fire, run a few strokes, then rapidly slow down and quit. Any attempted re-starts after that will not work for at least the next five minutes.

When it does re-start successfully, it runs fine, except once, about a month ago, when, after sitting for a few days, I went for a trip and five miles into the drive, the car lost power, slowed down and died. After a re-start, it did the same exact thing again. The third try was successful and it ran without a problem for the remainder of the trip, 160 miles total.

I think that this is where the Honda mechanic got the idea of a fuel pump problem. Could it have been related to just sitting for a few days, vapor lock or something other than a fuel pump? I can get a used fuel pump, with 80,000 miles on it, for about $35.00, so I may just do that, but I'm concerned about another problem as well, perhaps a relay problem? What do you think of this? Thanks for the help.

Sincerely,
Paul

A. I don't believe what we have here is a main relay problem, although that is difficult for me to say for sure from here. It could be the fuel pump. With 220,000 miles on it you are certainly running on borrowed time with it.

If you can get a used fuel pump that you KNOW is good, then I would try it. It would be easy enough to replace since the fuel pump sits under the car. You don't have to do anything with the fuel tank to replace it.

If, after reading your addendum, you are not getting power to the fuel pump on the second start attempt, then the main relay becomes suspect. And with the history of the Honda Main Relays, I would guess a damn good suspect.