acmoc

Hi, guys, I'm having problems with my crx 1991 honda crx si sohc zc swap
When my car is warm and I turn on the headlights, the idle falls way low but then catches and it'll be fine.
I was told it was the ELD. So I started searching but haven't found any having the same issue and this solving it.

I just completed my swap and it wasn't doing this before.
I checked all my grounds
replaced my alternator
battery is only 4 moths old
alt belt is tight

What else could it be?

I found a diy to check it so I will be doing this tomorrow.

also, in the diy it mentions a PFI could be the problem.
What is the PFI?
Could my ecu be faulty, the ELD runs through the ecu right?

OneBadTurboCRV

Do you have any codes?

acmoc

It came on once, I thought it was the 02 sensor, so I adjusted the timing a bit and it dodn't come back, bu I'm thinking it was a code 20, because it just kept blinking

acmoc

I did this

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7572/eldtest.jpg

at step 4 I only get .53 instead of 4.5-5.

bu I don't know what wiring to check to "PFI"
I don't know what that is
I did the last step and got .23, so that says the eld is bad

OneBadTurboCRV

It's all in the context clues. If you read all of it, it says...

"PFI electronic control unit"

PFI ECU

Programmable Fuel Injection ECU

Programmable Fuel Injection Electronic Control Unit

(PFI could also be Port Fuel Injection... but shouldn't be in this case.)

OneBadTurboCRV

So check Step 4 again to be sure the wiring between the ELD and ECU isn't bad.

acmoc

Just checked it,
removed the carpet and looked at the ecu. Looked like it had never been touched, the wiring is still in it's original taping

I grounded my ground cables in a different way; tranny bracket to body, then body to battery
Seems to have helped a lot
I also advanced the timing, I don't have a timing light but it was pretty far on the retard side,
Yesterday when changing my alternator I saw the new one had an extra screw in it, just on the back side.

Does a ground go here?

I inspected the wire harness and everything is good,


One more question; Where are all the grounds on a crx?

harness to Thermostat
head to radiator support
small wire off head to valve cover
battery to body
body to tranny bracket

acmoc

If I test my aternator at the battery,
What readings should I be gettin?
idle
idle with lights
car at 2000 rpm
kragen said I need 14.5
but I found in a different forum it's only 13.6
Which ius what I am gettin

acmoc

Does that mean it's my ecu?

OneBadTurboCRV

You are beyond my help. I already told you what to do - you visually inspected a wire. As stated in the directions at least do a continuity test... These vehicles DO NOT respond well to the ignition timing being off. It's not like an "old school" domestic that doesn't care if it's 4-6* out depending on engine condition...

acmoc

Yea, my timing is off I know, I had it marked, but it faded, I will get it set monday
I replaced my fuse box with one from picknpull
doesn't die when I switch on the lights
But the readings are the same, nothing close to that diagram.
My issue was; If I turned on the lights, idle goes up (normal)
turn off lights (idle almost dies)
With the new one; turn on lights (idle goes up a bit)
turn off lights (idle goes up a bit then settles)
Although when I turn on all the acersories, it charges at 11.5 volts (idle)
12.5 (2000k)
I don't remember what the readings were on the old one.
I'll probably buy another and then try a different ecu
I guess if my battery doesnt die I'll be good

acmoc

In case anyone finds this.
I made it a lot better, will never know because there are no new fuse boxes, all are junk yard items
I bougght one at piknpull for 16.00
put it on and at the same time, sanded and cleaned any ground, including the rings and screws
Zip tied the harness to the engine brackets

Problem is practically gone
no more dimmed headlights,
when I turn on the accersories the idle drops and then rises (suppose to do that)
when I turn them off, the idle spikes up and falls back to normal

Battery charging voltage is fine and has not died on me


Make sure all timing is correct, ignition and mechanical and idle is set correctly 750 +- 50 The throttle cable slack is also correct


The fuse box looked in worse condition than mine but it was the only one on the lot

If I find a new one I will update this thread

Thanks for all the help