Mercosity

I have a 1994 Civic DX Japanese import which was sitting unused for some time. Battery had been removed.

Fitted new battery and turned the key. No lights on dashboard - By this I mean no ignition lights, check engine etc. hazard lights and horn work but nothing else.

Don't know where to start. This car was running fine before it was laid up.

Anyone help?

sad4433

undo the battery and clean the terminals really clean then fit the battery then try.poor connection. is battery new??

EG-SIXV-TEC

is the terminals of the battery correct to the battery cables pos and neg??

Mercosity

yes brand new battery and correctly fitted with positive to positive negative to negative.

Mercosity

Tried to turn it over and nothing happened. Hazard lights and horn work.
Someone said it might be the alarm as these work.
Have no key for alarm which is switched to off position.

Tad

fuses?

billyinse

main relay....check and change

Mercosity

Anyone know how to disable alarm?

Mercosity

Where would I find the main relay. I've looked through a 1250 page manual and can't find it. Maybe in the under hood fuse/relay box? Which one is it?

94tealDX

it should be inside by the fuse panel... it will be tucked way back bolted to the body

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

Unscrew knee bolster. Look left, next to fuse box.

Pic from tegger.com

Read more on that site.

Mercosity

I have looked for the main relay and still can't find it?!
It's not as indicated in the photo you posted.
This is a 1994 Civic Dx but it is a Japanese import. I have searched high and low for the main relay and now I'm going quietly !!MAD!!
I have checked all fuses inside and under hood they are all fine.
I have tested ignition switch as described in the manual I have found and it's fine too.
I tested starter and it's fine and turns engine over. All grounds are good.
Completely removed alarm system and returned all wires to good condition.
Battery is at full charge. It's an automatic so I've checked all solenoids to do with this and they are fine.
It seems to be somewhere between the battery and the ignition switch but I can't work out where the problem is as all under hood fuses are fine.
Any suggestions before I go !STARK STARING MAD!!

Tad

well if your main relay is MISSING that would be a sure reason why it's not starting!!
look for that wide brownish reddish(sry i'm color blind) plug in the location of the relay. If it's not plugged into anything, then that's ur problem right there!
Should be as the pic, but since your car is JDM i'd assume it's on the opposite side??

Mercosity

I'm wondering if it has some other system. The car is a Japanese model imported into Ireland and is right hand drive. Also 1.5L 16 valve, not fuel injected and automatic.

I live in rural Ireland and it's a rare car here so none of my friends are any help.
My local auto electrician will do it but won't give me any idea how much it will cost so I'll only use him as a last resort.

So far I've:

Bought a new battery.
Checked all grounds.
Checked continuity on under hood fuses.
Checked all other fuses inside and out.
Checked ignition switch.
Removed alarm and made good all wiring.
Tried to find main relay but with no success.

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

PICTURES, PLEASE

Tad

heh yea sounds like not ur average honda
a carbed eg???? piiics!

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

Right - well, if it's carbureted then it won't have a main fuel relay. But, at the same time, should be easier to diagnose, no? Less electronics, etc. However, I'm afraid this is out of my league, now, though. I suggest you download the EDM Civic manual - have a look on http://www.spoonertuner.com/manuals

Former User

On another forum, the OP mentioned that 80A hood fuse 41 but none of the other hood fuses has power, despite the fact that fuse 41 itself is good. I'm thinking that this points to a bad hood fuse box.

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

Right, Ron. I was thinking after I posted earlier that it has to be pretty basic. I mean, no power at all? Has to be something early on in the electrical system. Battery (which should be good, if new as OP stated) ... or, like you said, one of the main fuses or the fuse box itself. OP should check for voltage in connections AFTER fuse 41. If nothing, begin by replacing the fuse 41, and check again. If still nothing, check fuse box.

Eg8Dx

i think a video would do wonders.........

fastrxu

pics/video?

Mercosity

Took apart the under hood fuse box in order to check it and maybe replace it.
I found that a plug into the backside of the under hood fuse box was all 'gunked' up. The only way I can explain it is the 'gunk' seems greasy and brown on the back of the plug, white on the front end.
The plug, according to the manual, is C911 to main harness C204.
This plug plugs into a component marked DF 16. Any idea what this component might be?
I've searched for it on the web and the manual I have doesn't show it as far as I can see.

Tad

they use electrical grease/lube for a lot of stuff, plugs and stuff,
keeps the circuit good and protected from.. well.. i dunno exactly but it's there on purpose hehe.

not saying that's what u got, but it sounds like it!

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

^^ Agreed. I think it's a lithium (or other) grease in there to protect it from road grime and corrosion. Shouldn't be the problem. OP, have you tested the connections like I suggested in post 19?

Also, as others have echoed, pics, video, or any sort of other multimedia would be really really helpful. Crayon drawings, finger painting -- anything.

Mercosity

Yes I have checked all the heavy fuses beyond 41. They have continuity but no voltage.
Funny thing about the 'gunk' is that it's only on that plug, not on any of the others.

The plug is also on the underside of the fuse box in an area which is sealed and plugged into the component DF 16.
I'd add pics and video if I knew how to insert them into the post. I'm not a whizz with these forums.

Well I'm a moron, I didn't read the FAQs on the forum. So now I know how to attach files.

It's almost midnight here so I'll take some pics or video tomorrow to 'spice' it up and post them!!