Rep Power: 0

Ok, I'll start with the basics.

My car is an 02 LX coupe. It has 95k miles on it and I'd say I've taken care of it pretty well. I've had no issues in the past, with the exception of one bad alternator. Last night as I was leaving the pool hall I play at something wierd started happening.

The car starts and runs fine- but every 10 seconds or so one of the relays behind my glove box clicks and when this happens the check engine light flips on the off and the rpms drop for about a second then go back up. Also, the battery light stays on while this is happening. This goes on for about a minute or two and then the car goes into limp mode (battery light turns off) and won't start repeating the initial problem until I reset the ECU. Didn't get any codes when we used the obdII scanner. What's going on here?

I know some of you will say bad alternator because of the battery light but the battery is getting charged. I plan on taking it to my mechanic tomorrow but I'd like to see if I can figure out what's going on first.

Any ideas?

 
Rep Power: 359

You've kept up on the normal maintenence?

Plugs, air filter, oil changes, etc? With 90+ k I would hope you've done the timing belt and other maintenence as required at those miles as well. Keeping up on this stuff helps eliminate the possibilites of what is going on.

Is your A/C on or off when this is going on? Or does it do it either way?

Are you sure your battery is good? It might be charging fine, but there are other issues that it might have. The cold cranking amps might not be what they should, or possilby the battery is not holding a charge like it's supposed to. Maybe the alternator is having to work overtime.

If all of that is ok, then it almost sounds like you have a sensor that is going bad and causing some issues with the electronics in the car.

 
Rep Power: 0

It happens wether the A/C is on or off. My battery is def good, we tested it today. The relay that's clicking is right behind my glove box, there are 2 right there and it seems to be the right one. Any idea what that relay is for?

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 0

behind the glove box? 100% sure? hopefully it's not ur ECU...

 
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the click is def behind my glove box. I pulled it out and there's 2 relays RIGHT behind it. Anyone know what they do?

 
Rep Power: 327

Both are connected to the ECM and the fuel pump, not sure off hand what one controls what....

 
Rep Power: 327

did some reading and here is what they do... as you face the relays sitting in the passsenger seat the one on the right is called the #1 relay, its job is when ever the key is ON it supplys battery voltage to the ECM, injectors, and also the #2 relay sitting next to it on the left is #2. #2 relays job is to supply voltage to the fuel pump for 2 seconds with key on then continious when the engine is running. Hope this helps!

 
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tfnaaf thanks man that helps a lot. It must be number 2 relay that's clicking and cutting off the fuel pump... the question is- what's telling it flip?

 
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well I dropped it off at my mechanic yesterday morning and he screwed with it all day and couldn't figure out what was going on. He couldn't get his OBDII scanner to communicate with my car so I'm afraid it might be the ECU now... I'm dropping it at the dealership tomorrow. Any idea what a new ECU costs?

 
Rep Power: 0

Relays do wear out over time. But your's seem to wear premature. Once in a while, someone will get a bad one - maybe you're the unlucky one this time. If it is me, I would replace the relay. It shouldn't be that expensive (<$40...?). Good luck.

 
Rep Power: 0

I am having the same issue what happen with yours did you get it repaired???