I ordered this part after it was recommended in this thread about 2001 CL's that won't start on hot days.

The Mitsuba Main Relay (#39400-S84-003) is in a non user-friendly place under the steering column and dash, where you lie on your back over the door frame with little space to move your arms or see what you're doing.

Looking at the box-like part, removal and installation looks pretty straightforward...except it has these heavy-duty clips/braces with a lock tabs on 2 sides. I crawled under and pulled on the one in there but its stuck pretty good with 15 years of baked on crud and getting it out would need some serious yanking-on with pliers, to the point of possibly breaking something. I'm worried with little room to move and little visibility under there I'm going to break the mount (not to mention bang up my arm)

Tips?



pic: 2001 acura cl main relay assembly


2001 CL TypeS

 

remove it with the bracket held on by a single 10mm bolt.

 

There's nothing to say you have to remove the old part. You can just plug the harness into the new part and zip tie it in place. Long as it's not going to cause a rattle.

 

Thanks for taking the time answer fellas. Laid on my back under there again with headlamp on. What a cramped tangled, wire harness filled spot to try get into!

@BagII - There is a bracket w one bolt way back up in there, but you can only use one arm to work under there - and its too cramped for a ratchet - so it'd be extremely difficult (impossible without pulling a whole bunch of other stuff out I'd say) to ever get the bolt and bracket back in place. You'd need a 2nd person to hold the harness and bracket in place who couldnt even see what he's doing, not an option for me.

@01acls - This is a good idea, though it kinda goes against my nature. Unfortunately even the pulling the harness out seems to require 2 hands - one to brace the mount box, the other to pull the stuck wire harness out of it.. Don't know how I'm going to pull that off...

 

Q: You did take off the lower dash finish panel right?

There's another option... take it to a repairshop.

You've already saved some money by diagnosing it yourself.

 

There doesn't appear to be any covering panel. I tried to take a photo to demonstrate, but can't get one to come out decent.

Yes of course that was always a last resort option. Seeing what's involved, the last thing I want is some bozo monkeying around under there - especially the ones at the dealership. :0)

 

 

Thanks 01acls

Wasn't looking for a panel there by the door - that makes sense, possibly coming in from above to get at it. And removing that lower one might help too. I'll have a look at what kind of access I can get with removing these. At least it will be good to show my mechanic.

Thanks very much for posting this.