McMahon

I have an obd2 B18B swapped EJ8, then jumped to obd1 @ ecu w/ obd1 dizzy, etc.

Everything was fine, no CEL.

Randomly the other day my 2 step was engaging while driving, and my CEL came on. VSS went bad, fixed that. CEL is still on, but now its on for ECT Sensor.

Couple days later, my car is having a hard time starting on cold starts only. Sometimes it'll start then die out seconds later, sometimes it just has a tough time, but after a couple minutes of running, its completely normal.


So here's my questions:
What could cause the hard starts?
Could the ECT effect this?
Can someone link me to an ECT sensor replacement thread?

Things I've done to try and fix this:
Checked the ECT Sensors to see if they were loose.
Replaced IACV with a new one.

Thanks in advance.

EJ8_Man

The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor is needed by the ECU to determine when the engine is warm. Once the engine warms up the ECU will change the fuel mixture and will enter a different mode of operation.

It's located under the distributor. Is it possible you knocked the plug off the sensor when you changed your VSS? The plugs are connected to the same bundle of wires so it is very possible. Or maybe you damaged the wire to the ECT if you pulled hard enough.

If it's not the wiring then the ECT is bad and you need to replace it. The good news is Honda uses a similar ECT sensor on many of their engines. Pull the sensor and go to a junk yard. Find a replacement from another Honda

McMahon

Ok I'll do that, I might have pulled too hard while changing the VSS, or maybe the mid-plug (if there is one) came loose. I have already tried unplugging and reconnecting them.

Quick question though, which plug under the distributor is it? The small 1 prong one, or the bigger one with a plastic plug? I'm assuming its the bigger one, but better be safe than sorry.

jbpnoman

It's the bigger one. The small single prong is for the temp gauge in the cluster, assuming we're talking about the same single prong.

Former User

Resistance test the unplugged 2-wire ECT sensor. A good sensor reads 200-400 Ohms when the engine is fully warmed up.

McMahon

I pulled the old sensor. One of the prongs had been bent. I bought a new one anyways since they are extremely cheap. Plugged it in, and it started right up.

Now here's the problem.

1/5 times is a hard cold start. 4/5 it starts right up cold.
About 5 minutes to 10 mins after is started, the CEL light comes on for the ECT sensor, and idle surges when in neutral.

Any ideas? I've tried removing the sensor and reinstalling it again but no luck. I havent changed anything else in this process either.

McMahon

Bump

McMahon

Little update:

When I start the car, there is NO CEL. Car runs 100% fine, no surging, etc.

5-10 mins later, CEL comes on for ECT, and it idle surges when in Neutral.

hondaguy777

Look up the testing procedures for the code. You're gunna have to test it while the car is at normal op. temp, as it was suggested above ^^