98 Civic Si Ignition intermitent problem
 

Once in a while I have problems starting the car both in warm or cold weather. I turn to ON, Check Engine Light comes on (I can hear the click from main relay), then CEL goes off (and the click from main relay doesn't sound) and car doesn't start. Then eventually it will start after other attempts (sometimes it starts quickly and other times I'm sitting there for minutes waiting). What I've recently realized is if I "slowly" turn the ignition key to ON and wait for the CEL to go off and then turn once more to START, I hear all the clicks from the main relay and it seems to work more often than not.

I've searched and read stuff and done the above tests by listening to the main relay's clicks... so to me it seems like the main relay may be bad (I'm no expert tho). So was wondering if I could get some experts' opinion; or are there other easy tests I can perform before taking to a mechanic? If it's the main relay I can change it myself after buying the part (that is if I can unbolt the darn thing... it's pretty tightly bolted and I need better tools to get at it (any help here would be appreciated to).

maybe its fuel pump? I'm no expert either, just something to consider.

sounds like the main relay to me. From what I read they put those together like crap. They are easy to fix on your own.... really easy and I believe is right under the steering wheel, in that area

I'm following the diagnosis steps here http://techauto.awardspace.com/faq.html and I do hear the fuel pump whirl with the CEL so not sure it's the fuel pump (but I'm no expert).

Main relays were NOT problem on 98s.

Ignition switches were. That's where I'd look first.