Tampa Dave

Hi all.
Newbie poster, pre-apologize for any forum gaffes.
This is cross-posted to civicforums, so if cross-posts are a no-no, let me know and I will remove it.

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Elderly friends car, left sitting for 2 weeks and now a no start.
Have some automotive knowledge and tools.

Symptom: No start
Facts so far:
No CEL/codes.
Cranks.
No spark on any plug wire
Replaced coil. No help.

Have LED tester and have been probing 8 wire distributor harness in attempt to isolate starting point of issue.

According to diagnostic I found on internet, when engine cranked I should get an off/on pulse on 1 of the 2 harness wires nearest the firewall.

I'm getting power on LED when ignition in position II but no LED at all when engine being cranked.

My electrical system experience is a bit limited.

Can I get a confirmation that this behavior is:
1. wrong
2. indicative of PCM/ECM failure
or
3. possibly an ignition key/cylinder short.

TIA.
Dave

HondaPartsHero

When you turn the ignition does the check engine light come on for 2 seconds then turn off (not fully cranked)

Tampa Dave

I will have to double check, but I don't think it is coming on.
Not near car right now.
I was going to pull the MAF connector to see if I could force a code and then assume it was a burned bulb.

What's the "no CEL at POST" indicative of?

Thnx!
Dave

HondaPartsHero

This is the main relay not working. It's a VERY common issue on Hondas. Check the FAQ above for troubleshooting.

Tampa Dave

Thanks for that.

Sorry, new to forum.
If I go FAQ > Search FAQ and put in "main relay" (with quotes) I get no hits.

Probably just the location of that specific relay would be enough to get me started.

spAdam

iTrader: (1)

Right of the glovebox, kind of inside the dash. Drop the glovebox and give it a few taps with the handle of a screwdriver or butt of a small hammer, sometimes brings it back to life temporarily. You hear it click, the MIL will come on for 5s, and the fuel pump will prime if you were successful. Replace it anyway. The mounting bolt is accessible by pulling the trim panel on the end of the dash, facing the door panel.

Former User

Does the fuel pump prime?

Does the CEL work, a asked by HondaPartsHero?

Tampa Dave

Nice shooting guys.
Main relay it was.
I now have a running vehicle.

Next.
Not sure if this was happening prior to relay failure, but car surges at idle.
In D with foot off pedal it will do 25 mph.
Battery has been drained/disconnected a few times.
Something the ECM/PCM needs to relearn?
IAC/IAT issue?

Thanks again.
Dave

Tampa Dave

Close this thread.
Replaced IAC and back to normal.

Thanks for the help.
Great forum.

Dave

TomCat39

Just for your info, hoping you see this.

The H-T search engine doesn't work well, using google is much more effective. For this search I would probably do "site:honda-tech.com Main Relay FAQ HondaCivc/Del Sol 1992-2000"

I believe that will provide a much better result mainly in this forum and quite likely from the FAQ.