Hi Team -

Been reading through similar issues, and found that others have posted about this here in the thread below. In a nutshell, its a combination of random engine cutoff while driving (effing scary), occasional difficulty starting, and in my case occasional starts that feel like a flooded engine barely firing up meeting an extremely low idle (except I don't think that's what it is).

This has progressed to completely not starting after my last start attempt, which was the 'flooded engine start' experience, with the exception that it didn't actually catch. The alternator is firing correctly.

I have a new battery and starter was recently replaced, so I have it narrowed down to something after the battery in the succession of electrical connections.

This leads me to either the main relay or the circuit board. My question is, how much do these two services generally cost, and if you were me having this problem at 160k miles, and a CLS that is only worth $2-3k at best, would you do the fix or ditch the whip?


https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...r-time-858589/

 

Main relay failure is common on Hondas.

https://www.google.com/#q=main+relay...site+acurazine


you can fix the relay by resoldering most of the time. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's the circuit board as the relay is more likely. Pop it off and redo the solder

 

I had the power main pgm /fI relay go out on my Cl. Very easy to fix. Look up on u tube plenty of videos show how to do it. I didn't replace it and it's still running good. Ensure you use rosen core solder for the repair.

 

Check your grounds before you do anything. I had the same problem on my CLS6, refreshed all my ground points & it never happened again.

 

I replaced my main relay because car wouldn't start, but engine never cut out when driving. Only had issues starting car.

 

Everything there is to know about your Honda/Acura main relay:
How the Main Relay works
When the Main Relay goes bad

 

Thanks all for the great input -

Took it into an independent Japanese shop. Main relay was indeed the problem, they replaced and $175 later I had my car back, running good as new. And actually had some additional pep in the step off the line following replacement of the relay. Not sure what explains that, but problem solved!

 

The extra pep came from the Italian tune-up the shop gave it.
If you were a bit more limber you could have saved yourself over $100 for the install.

 

Thanks Tosh. Know your limits, as they say.