palomoboy

1992 Honda Civic LX , automatic

In the beginning the car sometimes would not start. After turning key to off position then back on, starts up fine. This went on for a few months.

One day the car was driven for a while then parked in the driveway. About an hour later, will not start.

No spark, not fuel presure. Engine rotates, Cam is rotating, distributor is rotating, but car will not start.

Bought new Main Relay and Distributor. Still will not start. No spark or fuel pressure.

Parked car for about a month.

Pushed car under carport. Car fired right up on first try but the check engine light would flicker on and off for the first 5 minutes. I could hear the Trans stick shifter lock Actuator flickering on and off in sync with the engine check light. When the check engine light would come on (for less then 1/4 second), the engine would shut off then catch again when the check engine light turned off. The engine never stopped spinning.

Finally after 10 minutes the engine is nice and warm, the check engine light stopped flickering so I turned the key off. Re-started the car with no problems. Did this about 6 or 7 times. No problems. The Engine check light never came on again.

Took the car for a nice drive around the neighborhood, no problems. Went over to a friends house for about 30 minutes. Jumped into the car and turned on the engine, no problems. Tried to put the car in Reverse but the Trans stick shifter was locked. Tried stepping on brakes sever times, nothing worked. Turned the car off and then back on. Now I was able to put the car in reverse.

Went back home turn the car off and back on with no problems. Turned car off and found that I could put the car in reverse without the key in the ignition. Turned car back on and stepped on brakes serveral times and now I could hear the Trans stick shifter locking actuator working each time I stepped on the brakes. Maybe the shifter locking actuator was sticking.

Ok now I leave the car parked for about an hour and I jumped back in and tried to start the car. Engine check light will not turn off and car will not start.

Disconected the battery for about 5 minutes. Tried to start the car, the engine check light flickered and the engine fired right up. I left it on for about 5 minutes then turned the engine off.

Tried to turn the car back on and engine check light will not turn off, car will not turn on.

Ok guys, what's causing the engine check light to act up this way? It almost seems like some kind of loose wire or grounding issue.

Do I need to crack open the ECU and maybe look for moisture? When the car first stopped working, we did not have rain for several weeks so I don't think it's a ECU moisture issue.

I removed and checked all fuses (they all look good) I wiggled the wires under the dash, same problem, the check engine light is on and will not turn off. Remember, it has a new distributor, and main relay. When it fires up it runs great and the check engine light does not turn on.

All other electrical systems work perfect. Exterior and interior lights work great. All other instrument lights and guages work great. Radio and A/C fan works great.

It's not the distributor (it's new), it's not the fuel pump because when the car starts it runs great. Probably not the Main Relay (it's new). Not the battery because the engine spins great when trying to start.

What bother's me is the issue of the Trans stick shifter lock Actuator flickering on and off in sync with the engine check light and the event where I started the engine but the Trans stick shifter lock actuator would not allow me to put the car in reverse.

Ok guys, what's causing the engine check light to act up this way? It almost seems like some kind of loose wire or grounding issue.

I tried looking for the little grey ECU diagnostic plug, but can't see it. I'll try again to find that little puppy.

Thanks in advance for any help !!!