ludecraze93

Ok, i bought my car (94 VTEC) about 2 months ago. Since day 1 the tach has read the wrong rpm and shoots up too fast. This evening im driving my car and its starts to bog down really bad and begins to putter. Then when im only touching the gas to maintain my speed the car begins to buck (misfiring maybe??). That went away after a bit. Then the car would stall and die if i let the clutch out. I'd start it back up and just hold the gas to keep it running. i shut it down at my work and had someone take me to my car till i could check it out later. I came this evening with buddy and start it (its running rich as hell at this point shooting black smoke and misfiring) and let it stall out. Now it wont even try to crank over. Any ideas??

My first thought is that the ICM went out which feeds the RPM signal to the tach (my problem since day one) and the fact that its now misfiring and having ignition troubles.

But it wont even turn over now. does the ICM have anything to do with that??


Battery has 12.5v so its not the alternator not charging the battery.

I need help.

Please only reply if u have any clues, i dont need BS replies, i just purely need some help quick. thanks!!!

Hawkze_2.3

Sounds like something in the distributor...ignitor maybe. No check engine lights??

ludecraze93

i have a CEL code 12 (EGR valve) becuase of my Skunk2 intake mani. but no other codes than that.

ludecraze93

also, when i turn the key on the dash lights up, radio turns on, windows and locks work fine and even my wonderful 10ft tall power antenna works.

Hawkze_2.3

Check out your plugs, wires, cap and rotor and you might also replace the ignitor/ICM and go from there...

ludecraze93

borrowed my buddies spare Main Relay and switched them. still wont start but when i turn my key to the on position the rpm's goto 1500 like it used to do when i goto start it. I also noticed when i changed the relays 2 of the prongs were shorted out to each other with a little jumper wire.

ludecraze93

ok so i used a multi-meter to check voltage to the starter.
my results are:

12.5.v at starter power.

29v at starter signal <-------thats a bit high isnt it??

what would make that voltage reading be so high???

i bump started the car to get it home. it ran like crap the whole way, still wont stay running, it stalls out unless you're moving. if you come to a stop she dies.

im at a loss here everyone. im fairly mechanically inclined. but im freakin stumped at this point. and im too broke to go out and buy parts that MAY fix the problem and not be able to return them. so hopefully someone out there has an answer for me.

Hawkze_2.3

29v when the car is off or at idle?

ludecraze93

while the car is off, my car wont stay running.


battery is not getting over charged its staying at 12.5v

ludecraze93

update: starter is fine i jumped the clutch switch and it started up. now i just need to try and adjust it to see if its actually bad or not then on to my hellish problem of finding out why it runs like crap.