How To Test The PGM-FI Main Relay (1996-1998 1.6L Honda Civic)

TEST 6: Making Sure The Fuel Pump Is Getting 12 Volts

So far, you have tested and confirmed that:

• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 1 (TEST 1).
• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 5 (TEST 2).
• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 6 (TEST 3).
• The relay is getting Ground from female terminal no. 2 (TEST 3).
• The relay is supplying 10 to 12 Volts to the fuel injectors (TEST 5).

For our last test, we're gonna' make sure that the PGM-FI Main Relay is supplying 10 to 12 Volts DC to the fuel pump.

We'll check that the yellow with green stripe (YEL/GRN) wire has 10 to 12 Volts when cranking the engine.

NOTE: This test is performed with the PGM-FI Main Relay connected to its connector, so you'll need to use a back probe or wire piercing probe on the YEL/GRN wire to check for 12 Volts.

You can see an example of this tool and where to buy it here: Wire Piercing Probe Tool Review (Power Probe PWPPPPP01).

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Reconnect the PGM-FI Main Relay to its electrical connector.

2. 2

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

3. 3

   Connect the black multimeter test lead to a good Ground point.
   
   I recommend that you use a jumper wire to connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) terminal.

4. 4

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the yellow with green stripe (YEL/GRN) wire of the relay's connector.
   
   The YEL/GRN wire is the wire that connects to female terminal no 7.

5. 5

   Turn the key to the START position and crank the engine.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC while cranking the engine.

Let's find out what your test result means:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts. This is the correct and expected test result and it confirms that the PGM-FI Main Relay is supplying power to the fuel pump.

Taking into account that the PGM-FI Main Relay has passed all 6 tests with flying colors, you can conclude that the PGM-FI Main Relay is good (not defective).

If the engine in your 1.6L Honda Civic (Civic Del Sol) is not starting, you can conclude that it's not due to the PGM-FI Main Relay.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts. Check that you're testing the correct wire of the connector.

If 10 to 12 Volts are not registered on your multimeter, then this test result tells you that the PGM-FI Main Relay is bad and needs to be replaced if you have tested and confirmed that:

• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 1 (TEST 1).
• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 5 (TEST 2).
• The relay is getting 10 to 12 Volts from female terminal no. 6 (TEST 3).
• The relay is getting Ground from female terminal no. 2 (TEST 3).
• The relay is supplying 10 to 12 Volts to the fuel injectors (TEST 5).
• The relay is NOT supplying 10 to 12 Volts to the fuel pump (this test section).

More 1.6L Honda Civic Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 1.6L Honda Civic tutorials in this index:

• Honda 1.6L Index of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (Honda 1.6L).
• How To Test The Alternator (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic).
• Testing Shift Control Solenoid Valves A and B (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic).
• How To Troubleshoot A No Start (Honda 1.6L).
• How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).