Where is the PGM-FI relay on 98 Civic LX?

DarkFlame

New Member
The subject ("Where is the PGM-FI relay on 98 Civic LX?") says it all, but for purposes of understanding the need ...

The car was running fine when we stopped at the left-turn stop light. Then, it died. It cranked & cranked & cranked & would not catch on.

Here are my troubleshooting efforts, so far:
  • Found the 7.5 (I believe) amp fuse above the driver's knees, & it is good
  • Removed the back seat & listened to the fuel pump prime ... then go silent.
  • Found PGM-FI Fuse under the hood, and confirmed it is ok
  • Tried to find the PGM-FI Relay to troubleshoot that component, but could NOT locate it (I looked above driver's knees, up, in, behind passenger's feet's carpeting, and under the hood)!!!
  • ... ... so, I am OPEN to suggestions for locating the PGM-FI relay.
Thanks,
David
San Antonio, TX
 

DarkFlame

New Member
I found it, right there on the right-hand side of the cavity left by snapping the glove box out of it's opening-stopper. I was not sure that was it, but it was the closest thing to a relay-looking-device that I could find. I pulled the plastic screw out of the dash side panel cover that is only exposed when the door is open, and that enabled me to pull the side panel cover out from it's snap-in attachments to the side of the dash. The 10 mm socket (& ratchet) were required to loosen the bolt and pull the relay out from it's attachment to the vehicle. Once the relay was unattached to the frame, I was able to remove the plug and take the rz-0159 main relay inside for diagnosis.

My first diagnosis was to punch in "rz-0159" to Google and confirm that it is the main relay for which I am looking. Yep, it is!

Then, I googled for "rz-0159 pinout" and found this page:
FAQ-how-to-test-your-honda-main-relay/, which I have examined. It appears that the pinout numbers printed on the actual relay do not correspond to the pinout numbers printed on the web page. So, I'm looking at the actual pins they designate and testing accordingly. I shall return with the results after I hook these babies (the pins) up to the (industrial strength) battery charger (& jump starter) and check continuity in the appropriate spots.

As Paul Harvey used to say ... "Stand by for ... NEWS!"

BTW, upon further review, even the source web page has the numbers on the picture of the actual relay that correspond to mine, and not to their drawing. Alas, just another challenge in the game of life toward overcoming this transportation issue!
 


DarkFlame

New Member
Well, this is a bummer. There were 3 prescribed continuity tests, and each tested continuity with the voltage applied as instructed (based upon their numbering of the pins). With voltages removed, each related/switched pair of pins tested open between them, indicating that all 3 switches are working correctly with, and without, voltage applied to each of the coils.

But, at least I now know where the main relay is located and how to access it.
 

RonJ

Banned
Why did you test the main relay if the fuel pump primes?

Have you checked for spark at all 4 spark plugs?
 

DarkFlame

New Member
Meanwhile, I've found this Honda/Acura ER site that has an easy and systematic process for fixing what I am certain is a simple issue.

I've been jacking around with another half-dozen projects and haven't kept up with what I've done. No, I have not checked for spark. Am going to do that ... right after I make sure the camshaft is still turning (looking in the oil filler cap to confirm the timing belt didn't break).

Sunlight comes again tomorrow, so I'll be trying to figure it out then - and with clear 70 degree days forecast for San Antonio, I'll be glad to get out and go after it.
 
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