la_teta

So Ive been working on this for a while now and still cant figure it out. gone through all the troubleshooting steps, so I must be overlooking something....

So i swapped my 95 civic dx with a B18B1 from a 96 integra SE. wire tucked, but I labeled all wires beforehand and DID NOT cut a single wire, only rerouted them. after connecting everything i started up the car and noticed the idle was TERRIBLE. first i checked for spark at each cylinder. as i removed spark plug cables from cylinders 1 and 4, i noticed no difference. but when i removed wires from 2 and 3 the motor died and turned off. so I got brand new spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor and checked if maybe i had the wires on wrong...everything checked out good but when i started it, same thing.

then my friend came over and i used his distributor cuz i thought maybe the ignitor might be bad...but this time the opposite happened! cylinder 1 and 4 fired, but not 2 and 3! im stumped
i also noticed i have a check engine light on. so i checked forr codes and when i opened the switch the cel goes off and stays off until i remove the jumper from diagnostic connector

any help and ideas are greatly appreciated thanx!!

EJ8_Man

I'm assuming you're using the OBD2A P75 computer? Pretty weird your MIL light goes off when you jump the connector. Are you using the following technique?
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-pull-cel-d4-srs-abs-codes-code-lists-1901557/

The other option is to plug in an OBD2 reader. I'm not sure how that would work though, did you install the OBD2 diagnostics port off of the Integra?

la_teta

i guess i should have stated that im using a OBD1 P75 ECU. I am using the technique stated in your link. when i looked at the vin number on the bottom of the block it says its a 95 block. but the car it what pulled from is a 96 and everything is OBD2a: dizzy, injectors, alternator....it also does not match vin on tranny, which says 96 same as chassis

EJ8_Man

So your harness is OBD2A, but you have a converter for your OBD1 P75 ECU? If so, it is possible your conversion harness is faulty. You need to access those CEL codes... If the ECU is throwing codes for the dizzy you'll need to Google up an OBD2A and OBD1 ECU Pin out diagram and verify with a volt meter that you have continuity between the expected ignition wires. It's a major P.I.T.A. but it sounds like a potential wiring issue.

apexi_rsx

could be a fried ecu ...try another ecu if u know a friend with one.

la_teta

the engine harness is OBD2A but the car is still OBD1. I tried 2 other ECU and still the same thing..the reason why i dont think its a wiring problem is because 2 cylinders worked, 2 didnt. when i tried someone elses dizzy, the opposite 2 cylinders worked, and the other 2 didnt... besides, isn't ignition through dizzy entirely mechanical?? the rotor is what tells each of the cylinfers to fire when it touches the button on cap right?? tell me if i have it wrong or dont understand ignition system fully....

Former User

When you tested for spark, do all four plugs have bright white spark?

la_teta

no only 2

Former User

Check the plug wires, cap, and rotor.

la_teta

as stated above i replaced the plugs, wires cap and rotor with brand new ones. i then tried my friends dizzy which he also has new cap and rotor recently....the bad cylinders invert. the opposite cylinders are good and opposite dont fire

la_teta

1 and 4 dont fire with my dizzy.
2 and 3 dont fire with my friends known workin dizzy

Former User

Are you actually testing for spark at the plugs or just disconnecting plug wires?

la_teta

i did both....first i just disconnectedthem...then i actually used your guide from the faq. i still dont understand the difference though....if i disconnected a cylinder and idle doesnt change, wouldnt that mean theres no spark at that cylinder?? not sure i fully understand the ignition system fully

Former User

First, the method of disconnecting a plug wire to identify a "dead" cylinder is a bad idea because it can blow the coil.

Second, the two methods are different. The spark test specifically and directly determines whether spark is produced at the plug. The plug-wire-disconnect test identifies a dead cylinder but does not tell you why the cylinder is dead. It could be dead due to no spark or fuel, low compression, or wrong plug wire firing order. Therefore, test for BRIGHT WHITE spark at all four plugs using BOTH distributors.

I was also thinking that the plug wires may be installed in the incorrect firing order on one or both distributors. Check that too.

la_teta

ok i understand
just to be sure: for a B18B1 firing order is 1,3,4,2 starting from the bottom left right??

Former User

la_teta

yep thats how i have it. so i have no idea what it can be....

la_teta

Still only have 2 cylinders firing help

eaperez209

the engine harness that you are using is in fact from a 5 speed correct?

apexi_rsx

doesnt matter if the harness is auto or 5 spd. he needs to do a leak down test or swap ecu's and try them not just the dizzy.

eaperez209

it actually matters quite a bit i had a 98 dc that the previews owner swapped and they thought it be ok to use an automatic harness and the car had major issues and cel on all the time ran like ****....til i changed the harness and problem solved

la_teta

it is a manual harness....i already tried 3 ECUs...have not performed a leak down test...dont see wat that would accomplish though seein as how all 4 cylinders actually work..just 2 work with one dizzy and the other 2 with the other dizzy we tried.
both dizzys were tested and ran perfectly on my friends B18

boosted240z

did you figure this out i have the exact same problem in my CRX d16y8 swap and i cannot for the life of me figure out the problem



how would i go about checking the wires all the way to the ecu? does it matter if they wires have been extended and have less "shielding" around them?

boosted240z

anyone?

bullet98

does anybody have the answer to this problem i have the exact problem in my 98 civic with a b18b1 swap... IM GOING TO DRIVE IT OFF A BRIDGE SOON!!!!