2005 Acura RL Died on the Interstate, Again.
 

In the summer of 2018, I started having a problem with my Acura dying or stalling out when I was driving. Sometimes I could restart the car immediately, sometimes it took a while to restart. I ended up finding out that the problem was likely the fuel pump relay, so I went to AutoZone (I believe) and got a new fuel pump relay.

My stock relay was a Denso 156700 2680 fuel pump relay.

The one that I bought from AutoZone that summer had this written on the relay itself "Mitsuba 7003 52 6114" while the box it was in said "Duralast 20315."

I thought replacing the stock fuel pump relay fixed the problem because the car didn't stall out or quit on me for the rest of the year.

As soon as it got warm this year though, my Acura died while I was on the interstate, and I had to get it towed because it would not start up again. I know that there are sometimes problems with Acura relays in heat or high elevation, but I live at less than 500 ft above sea level. This has only happened in the summer so far.

As for what happens when the car dies: The power steering goes out, 5 or so codes flash on the dash, and the battery is said to be dead however AC, radio, and power windows work. The battery is only a few months old and the connections are clean and making contact with the battery. The car was towed to a shop that specialized in electric issues in cars, and they could not figure out what was wrong with it. They drove it and had no problems. So, I took the car home and haven't had any more problems with it. I'm so concerned now because I am going to be traveling all over the state in the next week and need my car to be absolutely reliable.

I'm wondering if the likely problem is just another faulty fuel pump relay, or if the issue goes deeper. If you recommend buying another fuel pump, which brand and model do you suggest?

The car has 205,000 miles on it.

Thanks for your help.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...80a95a23e4.jpg
Relay bought last summer


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...34adb69fb3.jpg
Box for relay bought last summer


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...c3178f4076.jpg
Stock relay

Sounds like a 2005 RL... :shrug:




Anyone?

From what i've heard, you're right. I really got unlucky with this car, but I do still love it, it's a blast to drive.

That's what really matters... An occasional repair is nothing to throw a fit about...

I'd love to agree, but as the post indicates, I am not sure if this is just an occasional repair or a deeper problem. I find it unlikely that two fuel pump relays fail within 1 year without some underlying issue.

Just like my A/C clutch...




Let's dig deeper...





Anyone?

Is that relay the main relay that controls fuel pump and injectors?
If so, open your current one and see if there are any bad solder joints. Actually open both if possible.

I think the relay controls the pump and fuel injectors. Do you mean physically open the relay to see if there are any bad spots in there? I'm not sure they can be easily opened.

they can be.. they're really just snap enclosures. a small flathead screwdriver will get you right in.


Or just buy a new one, they're not that expensive either :tomato:

Well @JackPete5220 hows life with another new relay?