JarvisW

I haven't had a problem with this car at all before. I let it sit up for about a month, as it could use some new tires before I drive it very far.

I didn't think anything of a huge rain storm it went thru, as I thought it was all sealed up, but a couple of days after, I opened the door to find the car smelled like a swamp, and there was mold on the dash, steering wheel, and floormats etc!!

I then let it air out, then got a rug doc to clean everything up with.

Now the interior looks nice, but it still smells a bit.. I figured I'd take the top off, and take it on the highway to let it air out a bit.

Put in the clutch, turn the key, the engine turns over like normal...

YET IT NEVER KICKS!

So, I can't check spark yet, but I can't smell any gas (yes, half a tank) and can't hear the fuel pump working. I opened the gas cap and let the pressure off, tightened it back, and still nothing audible. I DO hear something click in the engine compartment just once as I turn the key to "run" (not start) but nothing else.

Am I imagining that the pump made a noise before?

What fuse should I check? (I looked on the fuse panel and it dont say)

Thanks for any help!!

Former User

Did the ECU get wet?

fv8s

that and when you turn the key to the "on" position you should hear the pump hum for a few seconds

JarvisW

I'm not sure if it got wet, but I will check that too.. But the trunk even had water in it, so I have no idea how it all got in there. Tho the storm was blowing the rain sideways for a couple hours at that time.

I'm going to check power to fuse 31 now also..

Oh, and I didn't try to start it for almost 10 days AFTER the storm, so I hoped most everything had dried out. (its been 5 days since I Rug Doc'd it. and I only sprayed water from a distance on the carpet, I never soaked it, only sucked it up)

JarvisW

Ok, power to both sides of fuse 31

And I can't tell if the ECU got wet, but the carpet is still moist under it.

If it did get wet, what do i do, replace it?

ALSO, the CEL on the dash comes on for a couple of sec then goes out, and I get the beep-beep all as normal.

munchies91crx

if it got wet in your floor. like alot. then im pretty sure your ecu got wet. take it apart and see. and if it did get wet. your gonna need a new one. i dont think you can salvage a wet ecu. but im not positive.

Former User

-Remove the ECU and make sure it is dry and has no signs of shorted/burned components. Also dry the ECU plugs if necessary.

-Remove the fuel fill cap and put your ear to the fill hole while a buddy turns the key from off to ON(II). Do you hear the low humming/buzzing noise of the fuel pump priming for 2 seconds?

-Check whether dash fuse 24 is blown.

-Check for spark at the plugs as described at the link in my signature.

JarvisW

Thanks guys, I will check all this tomorrow.

Also, thanks for making my title clearer.

I hope this isn't hard or expensive to fix. lol

JDM B20 EH2

also try this for me. pull the ecu fuse under the hood and put it back in. see if it will start then. Im having a odd problem with mine. i have to do that to get it to start. also check your main relay. it controls the fuel pump and injectors

JarvisW

K, thanks. I'll update tomorrow afternoon

JarvisW

Ok, I checked most of them..

1. No fuel pump sound listening at the gas cap.

2. it DOES spark

3. Fuse 24 is working, and gets 12v when key turned to "run"

4. I did not try resetting the ECU fuse yet. I need to charge the battery.

5 am about to take the ECU out and will update asap

Former User

Did you check for voltage at both top test tabs of installed fuse 24?

Definitely charge the battery before doing any more testing, besides pulling out and inspecting the ECU.

JarvisW

Yes, both sides of #24 had 12v.

I took the ECU out and its dusty, and so is the surrounding areas, so I doubt it got wet. Should I open it up any more?

Also, I found some residual water in the trunk. Is it possible that water went thru there into the cabin, and somehow shorted out the pump, or a harness?

Former User

Unplug all ECU connectors and check for moisture there.

Also check the main relay and its plug. If the main relay and plug look fine, resolder the main relay.

Former User

Checking the fuel pump is a good idea.

JarvisW

the plugs were dry.

Where is the main relay?

Former User

1994exd16z6

a better way to see if your fuel pump is working is to do a fuel pressure test..if it reads pressure after cranking then that's a plus..if not look around in your truck sides behind the carpet for a trip box..water may have caused it to kick..
find it push the button to reset..last but not least..if all else fail's trace the wiring for your fuel pump and take a pic light and check for the live/hot and see if it'd getting juice..if so check the ground. then if this proves good as it should then pull your pump and test it....3 thing's to run..AIR,FUEL,FIRE..EVERYTHING ELSE IS WIRING...hope this help's..

JarvisW

Ron, thanks. How do I check it? And Resolder?

94ex, I've never seen a switch in the trunk, and I have the bottom carpet out. Ya know the pump is under the rear storage compartments in a Sol? (just checkin)

Former User

Resoldering main relay:

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

Also try these tests:

JarvisW

Ok, heres my update for the night...

I started the testing in the link above.

It does NOT click when the CEL goes off..

So I stick my head under the dash, and find the relay. I hold the relay while switching the key.

As the key goes from run to acc, back and forth, the relay clicks, but it still never clicks with the CEL. UNTIL I messed with the plugs, then I heard a click with the key off!

I then flipped the key again, but this time the PUMP WHIRRS!!

I turned it off.

Then curious, I turned it on again, no whirr.. but to be sure it was the pump, I try to start, and it DOES!! For about 5 seconds, then died (as it didnt click this time again)

SO, I'm taking a guess and saying the relay is whats wrong. I've removed it, and will go about checking all the solders and will update tomorrow when I put it back in!

Thanks Ron and everyone else for all the help! And I am going to bookmark that page, its great!

fv8s

why would you be listening at your gas cap for the fuel pump to turn on? its located under your back seat and you should definetly be able to hear it from the inside

Former User

Yes, definitely try resoldering the main relay.

Former User

The pump is located inside the gas tank. The pump buzzing sound is funneled and amplified at the fill hole with the cap off. This helps people who are unsure whether the pump is priming.

JarvisW

Fv8s, yes like Ron said, I wasn't sure it was working, and didn't remember if I had ever heard it before, now that I WASNT hearing it.. if that makes sense. lol.

Also, did you see the title of this thread? Or do you know of a secret "rumble" seat that Sol's have that I haven't noticed? (its under the storage boxes, not the "seat". just givin ya a hard time)