ShortKyle

Hey guys,

I'm pretty pissed seeing as I just typed all of this and went to post and it asked me to login in again, so here it is…… Again.

I know this issue has been discussed MANY times on MANY different sites. I am just looking to compile ideas/answers in my own thread so I don't have to necessarily search through 5,374 sites to find answers.

I bought the car, 2001 EX with MT, about 2.5 weeks ago. My buddy I bought it from said all/some of these problems were occurring when he bought it and he put a new ECU in it and it was fine, until recently.

The car was running fine until last week when the battery light randomly came on while driving. It seemed that NOTHING was affected by it, even shut it off and turned it right back on, no issues.

Yesterday the CEL randomly came on after the car just sat in a buddies driveway, didn't seem to have any issues whatsoever. A while after, I was driving, went over some tracks, and all of a sudden it felt like it gave out, the tach and temp gauge died, and the CEL remained on. The past couple days the problems have been sporadic.

Here are the issues I've noted as of now:

1. Green key light blinking, occasionally.

2. Instantly upon start up, the CEL will blink with each bounce of the rev(not my doing), and the main relay will click. This will occur for between 1-10 seconds and then the RPM will steady out at normal idle, CEL will become solid, and clicking stops.

3. Running VERY rich.

4. Will not go above what seems to be 2-2500 RPM and if you push the pedal further than 1/3 it will, almost, "bounce off the rev limiter" really slow.

5. ECU will not connect to scanner(no battery light and solid CEL)

6. Upon removing the power steering pump, I noticed the top alternator mounting bolt was half way out. I managed to get it back in, but it won't thread. Nothing protruding from the engine block mount, and there is about 1/4" of bolt, excluding head, that is sticking out from driver side.


Things I've done in attempts to correct the issue so far:

1. Got alternator bolt back in as far as possible.

2. Tightened the alternator belt tightener wing nut very tight using 1 1/16" socket.

3. Replaced the Electronic Load Detector in engine bay fuse box.

4. Added a ground from the alternator wing nut to the headlight bolt on the fender wall.

5. Taken out the 15amp ECU fuse from the bay fuse box and also undone and touched both battery terminals together.


Nothing has worked so far. Please, "experts" and other who have solved this issue, give advice on what route I should take. It seems I will be needing to purchase a new ECU. I'm just hoping the problem can be solved with out having to wait for the UPS man.


Post away - Thanks,

Kyle

ShortKyle

Also, it seems to me that the ECU isn't "fried" seeing as sometimes the tach will still work? I'm hoping there is an underlying reason that is causing the ECU to just be hiccuping or freezing rather than be fried to the point of replacement… Maybe I could have that ECU reflashed? Or even attempt? I assume that if it is in fact unflashable, that would tell me that it is actually fried and unusable.

ShortKyle

BUMP

GriFFIthS

The ECU is toasted.
Cant reflash, It'll only get worse until the car wont start, mine did the same thing, and ive had several friends experience the exact same problems youre having, replaced the ECU and had their keys reprogrammed and the problem was fixed.

Djratrap

ECU is fried for sure, are you running an aftermarket header? If so check your secondary O2 sensor to see if the wire is bent or grounding on the chassis.

Also you can prob pick up an ECU from a junkyard for about $80-150. Much cheaper and faster than ordering. The only prob is you will have to tow the car to honda to get the smart key (if you have one) programmed onto the ECU.

Eddieflo

Also, the ECU is fried

smokenyall

I had a similar thing happen to my 01 ex auto yesterday. Was driving going 70mph then the tach started jumping between 0 and 3000rpm for about 10 seconds then the car died, I coasted it to the side of the freeway, tried to start it and it just cranks but won't fire, tried connecting my scanner and it will not connect. So is my ecu fried as well? Any help is greatly appreciated since this is my only car and I need to fix it this weekend.