Ed Rush

Hello,

(My apologies if this is not the correct forum - I did not see an '89 Accord Forum)

'89 Accord, Manual Transmission, well maintained, excellent runner until now.

Very heavy rains here and I noticed the seal at the bottom edge of the windshield was loose and riding up. Inside, there were a few drops of water leaking down onto the passenger floor, indicating that water was indeed getting inside.

At first, the car ran fine. After turning off the ignition, a distinct clicking could be heard from the fuse-box area. I made a mental note to replace the windshield seal as soon as the rain stopped.

After 4 rainy days of this, I started the car, drove about 100 feet and it died. It just shut off. I tried many times to restart: battery was fine, car cranked but didn't start. I let it rest for a few hours and tried again. It started, idled perfectly for 5 minutes, then died as soon as I tried to accelerate.

Now there is a near-constant clicking from the electrical area. First, a quieter clicking from a source behind the fuse-box that I can't locate. That soon turns into the Main Relay clicking loudly and vibrating intensely. (All this when the key is not in the ignition). The only way I can stop it is to disconnect the battery. The car will no longer start.

Any advice on where to begin? Should I replace the main relay or perhaps take it out and dry it out? Any idea what the other click is (from deeper in the wiring than the Relay box)? Should I be investigating the starter as well?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Ed Rush

P_Adams

Ed:
This will be a bit of a stretch right off the bat, but we've got to start somewhere.
The Main Relay is actually two relay's in one. It powers two distinct systems:
1) Fuel Pump
2) ECM
One of those systems is causing the problem, and I suspect it's the ECM.
My reasoning? It's located in the very area which suffered the water leak you mentioned. Just in front of the passanger's feet, where the firewall meets the floor.
It is also the easier to reach, and that's where I would suggest you start.
If you were to unplug the ECM and the Main relay stops chattering, that would be a good indicator.

P

Ed Rush

I am under the glove box on the passenger side. Can you tell me how to identify and unplug the ECM?

P_Adams

It should be the same as the later versions:
Pull down the carpet off the firewall.
You will find an access cover there.
Honda hides the ECM (and the TCM) under there

Ed Rush

Strange...it is not there. If I pull back the carpet, there is only a welded steel plate.

I investigated online and that photo seems to correspond with the 1990 and later models.

I will see if I can find Haynes manual. Until then, do you have any other suggestions?

redbull-1

On most Hondas, once the carpet is pulled back, then remove 4 nuts holding the protective metal plate. The ECM would be under there.

redbull-1

http://autocomputersupply.com/index....on=Custom&ID=4

Ed Rush

RedBull,

Thank you. Yes, I saw those diagrams but unfortunately the don't correspond with my car! Most likely because my model is an '89. When I pull back the carpet, there is another thicker, insulated carpet attached at the top. Underneath that there is simply welded metal - no plates, no screws.

redbull-1

Your model probably does not have the traditional ECM. I checked some manuals, looks like you may have various control units such as Fuel Injection Control Unit (if FI), etc. under your driver seat. Other units controlling other functions are under the passenger seat.

Since the rain water came in near the passenger windshield area, where you don't have an ECM, it may be something else. Have you checked the usual suspects such as the distributor, spark plug wires, etc. This probably won't alleviate the clicking near the electrical area; but, may solve the running problem.

P_Adams

Ed:
I'm not supposed to really do this (suggest another forum), but you might have better luck with.

http://www.3geez.com/forum/

That forum specializes specifically with the older Honda's such as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation series (of which your's is (3rd gen)).

It may be a faster venue for you

P

Ed Rush

Thanks for directing me to the other forum. It seems more suited to the '89 models. I appreciate your help.