joewhiteside

Hi. Does anyone know the correct part number for the ECM to a 1996 Del Sol with a manual transmission? I think the previous owner may have messed with it. Also, does transmission type matter or is the same ECM used regardless?

Thanks,
Joe

Relic1

yes auto or manual trans matters

96 DelSol S - 37820-P1Z-A01 (A02 is 97)
96 DelSol SI - 37820-P28-A03 (A04 is 97)
96 DelSol VTEC - 37820-P30-A01 (A02 is 97)

keep in mind that these are OBD2 ECUs, not OBD1 versions that are significantly more common. These are pretty rare since they were used for one year on one car. (in the US)
and since you live in Cali your emissions testing will check.

your ECU may have a L in the A location, this indicates California spec versions of the ECU. (see even more rare)

joewhiteside

Thanks!

joewhiteside

I have the correct ECM installed. Unfortunately it looks like it's gone bad. I know I can't use an OBD1 ECM, but would it be possible to use a 1997 ECM in my 1996 or would that mess things up?

Relic1

why do you think it's gone bad? (not typical for honda ECUs to go bad)

a 97 ECU on a 96 should be fine.

BTW, which ECU do you have?

joewhiteside

Sorry, somehow I completely missed your last post. The ECU I have is a: 37820-P1Z-LO1. 96 del sol s manual california....

The reason I think it's gone bad is because of this horrible P0441 code that's setting off the CEL. Emissions Control System Insuffecient Purge Flow. The reason I think it's the ECU is because the car runs great passes emissions tests with flying colors! As if nothing is wrong! When you reset the CEL, it doesn't matter how far you drive, 1000 miles or 10 miles, it will not turn back on until the 2nd day you drive in heavy traffic!

The factory service manual lists 4 possible causes: (1) Purge Control Solenoid Valve, (2) Purge Control Solenoid Circuit, (3) tubing, (4) ECM. We've replaced the valve, the circuit is good, and smoke tested for leaks in the tubing. We couldn't find any clogs either....Makes me think that computer has gone south..

Relic1

the EVAP code can be a serious pain to troubleshoot. I've fixed totally unrelated issues and it stopped throwing that code.
I'd double check every vacuum hose and the fuel cap.


As far as the ECU, not only do you have a rare ECU, but an even more rare cali-spec version. (yay)
I'm not sure how strict Cali is on the actual version of the ECU, but the 97 P1Z should make the car work fine.
But if the guy doing the emissions check is good enough he'll know that the P1Z-A02 is not the same as the P1Z-L02 or the P1Z-L01. (same association with the numbers to years I listed in my previous post)
But from what I've read in the past about cali emissions, I don't think they check that closely.

joewhiteside

Thanks for the help. I don't think these smog check stations look into things too much....

I'll check the other the other stuff you told me to check, also...