WyrdWynd

I have a 2000 DX hatchback and was on my way to the bay area using the cruise control, slowed for a curve and when I hit resume there was a strong but brief smell of burned electrical, the car coasted to a stop. The gas peddle felt funny but now I understand the cruise control was trying to speed the car up and opened the throttle all the way removing the normal tension on the pedal. Originally I suspected a problem with the cruise control. I've been working on it all week. ECU seems to be working, main relay is good, pump primes and pump connections are good. It has spark and injector pulses, the plugs are dry but spraying cleaner into the intake doesn't elicit any response.

Pretty much have done everything suggested on youtube, I haven't done a fuel pressure test but if fuel related the carb cleaner should have at least had some effect ya think?

All fuses are good and everything as far as the dash lights go is completely normal. Well something burned but I haven't found any sign of what. All lights accessories and everything associated with the motor seems to check out. It's a little weird.

fcm

You said you have injector pulse, how did you test for that?
Do you have power at the injectors?

Dry plugs indicate a fuel issue, and if pump is priming, I would suspect injectors not working, so check for power to them. 94

WyrdWynd

That's what I was thinking too. The injectors do have power, I checked for pulse by connecting the test light to positive and looked for the negative pulse. All seems good. Haven't done a pressure test of the fuel system yet.
The pump does run and sounds normal. Engine cranks and sounds normal.

WyrdWynd

Took a few day off from working on it.

Since I smelled burned electrical when it quit I looked for residual smell from all components, the only place it was manifest was in the under-hood fuse box. The fuses were all good so of course I took the box apart. Quite an interesting assembly method,
50% jigsaw puzzle 50% double sided circuit board. But alas there was no fault in there.

None of the wires on any of the fusebox connectors show any signs of distress.
Well, have to keep looking. Will do a definitive spark test when it gets darker tonight.
My son confirmed spark for me so that info isn't first hand.

Former User

Check the mechanical timing and compression test the cylinders.

WyrdWynd

Next to do, blew the paper towel plugs 10 feet away so I suspect the compression is ok.
But I verified fire on three and four and I have a report of fire on one so I'm about to say the ignition is working. The ignition is 100% controlled by the ECU so it must also be working.

I will test for fuel pressure and timing tomorrow.

Former User

Is spark weak or bright white? If spark is strong, the mechanical timing should be checked next.

WyrdWynd

Spark looks pretty normal (white-blue) but I haven't yet verified that fuel is reaching the system.

Former User

WyrdWynd

Yeah, work it out in the morning and get back to you.
Maybe the spray **** doesn't burn.

But a mechanical timing error is a possibility.

Former User

Use starting fluid. Costs just few bucks at Walmart.

WyrdWynd

Ima use Gasoline on the air filter in the morning like I do on my lawn mower. If that doesn't work there has to be a timing error.

WyrdWynd

And this is really annoying

No offense.