shk999

I have been trying to help a friend with his car but Im afraid I've hit a wall. Here's the background, any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

2001 Accord EX, 2 dr, 4 cylinder, automatic

The problem is it wont start and the check engine light is on constantly. It turns over, just wont start. The fuel pump doesnt "buzz" when the key is turned on, I replaced the main relay but it didnt help. The check engine light is on constantly, I checked power and ground at the ECU/PCM and all the fuses and no problem found. I have also unplugged the computer for 30 minutes but no luck. I rented an OBD code reader from autozone and when it's plugged up it tells me it's unable to communicate with the computer. At this point I am thinking it's a bad computer but I dont know how to verify this and I dont want hime to have to spend hundreds of dollars only to have it still not crank.

Also, if anyone knows, will a bad fuel pump make the check engine light stay one? When I was troubleshooting I saw there is a sequence to how the main relay works. First it clicks when you turn the key to "on", then it clicks again when the CEL cuts off, then there is a 3rd click when you turn it to start. We dont have the second click but I think that's because the CEL doesnt go off. I feel like if we can get that 2nd click from the relay, the car will start but that's easier said than done.

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

joe_accord23

check if u have fuel pressure. if u do then it does sound like a ecu problem. its not connecting to the reader when it should.

CamboSoup562

hope it helps!

rabs

thks hats useful, i m coping for future reference!
rd

shk999

There's no fuel pressure but that's because the fuel pump isnt working. Still not sure if that's because it's a bad pump or because the ECU/PCM isnt triggering the main relay. Anyone know a sure fire way to verify bad ECU other than replacing it?

Bwill9886

Have you checked any of your wires running from the ECU to your various parts (fuel pump, main relay, etc) with a voltmeter?

shk999

I have, I found ground and 12v switched ignition. Not sure if that 12v switched is coming from the main relay though. Does anyone have the schematic or know what I should be looking for at the pump? Im definately no mechanic but unfortunately the kid doesnt have the cash to take it to a shop.

jdowen2

Was your friend doing anything to the car before the trouble started?

shk999

Nope, he got out one day and the next day it wouldnt start.

shk999

OK, so his dad found a computer at a junkyard for 100$. I hate to just start changing parts but at this point dont really know what else to do. Here's the thing though, the guy tells him that his car has 2 computers!! What?? 2?? He also says that even when he gets the computer that he will have to go to Honda to have it re-programmed. Is any or all of this true? If that is the case and it does have to be re-programmed, is it possible that his current one may just need to be re-programmed? Any input would be appreciated from you guys that know about this stuff, this is really getting crazy!

shk999

OK, so the ECU/PCM has been swapped and now when you turn the ignition to on you can hear the fuel pump prime and the check engine light goes off after about a second but the car wont crank. Does anyone know if the new computer has to be reprogrammed by Honda before it will start?

shk999

Breakthru (maybe). Here is what Im thinking, any input is appreciated. Is it possible the car isnt starting because of the immobilizer? Maybe his key isnt programmed to that computer? Just a thought