sergio94

Hi,

About 2 weeks ago my 1994 Honda Accord EX VTEC stopped firing when I tried to start the car. The starter would engage but the engine wouldn't fire. I thought it was the solenoid, so I had the car towed to an electrical auto repair shop. The mechanic took a look got it fired up and said he thought it was the distributor cap, but he doesn't do them. So later in the week I had it towed to another auto shop. This mechanic said it was the ECU computer. So I ordered a computer on Ebay they put it in today and the guy at the shop told me it worked. He called me later in the day to say that it didnt work and it was having the same problem, but he's still 100% sure its the computer. Before I spend money to get another one, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions???

Thanks!

KWayRacing

I doubt 2 computers are faulty. Now maybe something is causing the computer to be faulty. How does this mechanic know 100% sure it is the ECU?

philafelman

sounds like the mechanic just decided to throw a part at it, because he couldnt locate the problem...and now hes probably trying to cover his ***...

KWayRacing

^ agree I wonder if they tested the coil/ ignition control module..aka igniter.

fcm

First thing I would check for, is it not firing because there is no spark or because there is no fuel.
If no spark, as KWayRacing points out, coil or ICM, a coil can be intermittent, [work until it heats up, and then quit until it cools down] the ICM on the other hand tend to work or not work, I have never run into an intermittent one.
If there is no fuel, I would go right to the PGM-FI Main Relay, notorious for being intermittent and a problem on older Honda/Acura
You can fix it yourself, [in most cases]... http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mainrelay.html
Yes, it's pretty much the same in your Accord. 94

sergio94

I appreciate everyone's input...Before he decided it was the computer he did think it was something electric with the ignition but then decided it was the computer after doing some tests. His reason for being convinced its the computer is that he says they have an old honda computer that they hooked up and everything worked. He mentioned something about after cooling down the car with a fan it worked, but I'm not sure what that could be related to. He was telling me that it will cost $600 dollars to remanufacture my old computer, which maybe is the reason he is saying this one didn't work. I'm pretty lost as to what steps to take next. I will try suggesting some of these things tomorrow morning and see if he already checked them out...

speedworks

put an old spark plug in one of the wires, ground the threads to something, and have someone turn the engine over. if it has no spark it will be the coil or ignitor. since the coil or ignitor cost around 100 a piece from honda i suggest getting on ebay and typing in (distributor king 94 accord ex) and just buying a complete distributor for around 150 that is complete and has a lifetime warranty.

philafelman

this is starting to sound more and more like the culprit...which would explain why the new ecu would work for a while.

sergio94

So I went over to the mechanic this morning to check on the possibilities everyone listed. I was told that they put in a new main relay and that didn't work and they also checked for a spark and there was one present. He also plugged the new computer I bought in, the car started then died within 5 min. Then when I turned the key to II the engine light would stay on and the car wouldnt fire...he then plugged an old LX computer they had in the shop and it started...Do I go ahead and purchase another computer?? Thanks again

KWayRacing

Will it start and run for 10 minutes still with the old computer?