HiFlight

I am also experiencing cranking but no start on my '93 D16. I did remove the main relay and resoldered all points, but this made no difference. Check engine light remains on when cranking.

Ignition is OK as all components were replaced by Honda, who said this would fix the damp "no start" issue...HA! Engine fires quickly with a squirt of ether in the intake.

When dry outside, the engine starts immediately. With increased dampness, starting takes longer until finally it refuses to start at all.

A new main relay is on order, but any other suggestions more than welcom!

Thanks in advance!

Former User

What car and engine? All stock?

This^ means you have spark but not fuel.

When you turn the key from off to ON(II), do you hear the humming noise of the fuel pump priming for 2 seconds?

When you jump the service connector, do any code blink from the CEL?

redm3turbo

ever change your fuel filter?
is the car under 1/4 tank of fuel?

HiFlight

All stock...1.6 Si, automatic. Have not jumped service connector, but no codes were stored when at the Honda dealership.

When the key is turned to ON(II), I hear one click but no fuel pump priming.

I ordered a replacement main relay just to rule out a known issue, but it will likely be a few days until it arrives.

This starting problem is only apparent when it is damp outside for a period of time, such as after a rain. There are no leaks in the area of the main relay or any signs of dampness anywhere else that I can see.

As it does fire readily with ether, it is clearly a fuel delivery issue of some sort.

Former User

Del Sol or Civic?

Do these tests:

1) Unplug the main relay connector. Jump terminal 1 to 7 in the connector and listen for whether the fuel pump primes.

2) Unplug the main relay connector. Turn the key to ON(II). Jump terminal 5 to 7 in the connector and listen for whether the fuel pump primes.

Plug the main relay connector back in and unplug ECU connector A.

3) Turn the key to ON(II). Ground terminal A7 and A8 individually to the chassis. Does the fuel pump prime?

HiFlight

It is a 1993 Del Sol D16.

I will do the testing, although it has been steadily raining for a couple of days. It will likely be a couple of days before I can get this accomplished.

Thanks much for the guidance!

HiFlight

Rain finally stopped and a full day of sun. With windows and hood opened mid-morning, the car started immediately late afternoon. Windows and hood closed overnight, no rain overnight, car would not start in the morning. Again, after most of the day with hood and windows open, it once again started right up.

I did receive the new main relay and installed it this afternoon along with an ECU reset and the car started immediately, although it is quite dry out. I guess I will need to wait for more rain to see if the new relay solves the problem. It does seem to be moisture or humidity-related although I could find no obviously wet or damp components.

The only thing I noted that was apparent during all these episodes is that when the no-start situation happens, the CEL light remains illuminated while cranking. When it starts, the CEL light is not illuminated while cranking.

I will post the conclusive results of whether the the new main relay resolves the problem after the next rain, although there is none in the forecast for the next few days. Still.....the only thing that seemed to trigger this puzzling event is rain or extreme dampness. BTW, no codes showed up when jumping the service connector.

delsolintegra

I have the exact same car and it HAD the exact same problem.
What cured it was another ECU. You need the P28-A51 (for auto).
I got one from a junkyard for $135.
I fought this problem for a year and I tried: fuel pumps, fuel filters, main relays, ignition switch, grounds, etc.
If you know somebody who could lend you one, try it.
I think the del sol may get more moisture in it than a regular civic but my ECU's exterior had signs of moisture corrosion on the case.
I slipped a sheet of plastic on one side of my new ECU to keep moisture off it.
A guy on this sight from Puerto Rico said it's a common problem there and he repairs ECU's.

HiFlight

Thanks much for the info! I will see if I can track down an ECU and give it a try.

HiFlight

UPDATE:

I was able to locate a used ECU on Ebay for $99 with free shipping. The part arrived promptly and I swapped out my ECU for the Ebay replacement.

My Del Sol now starts perfectly regardless of humidity or wet conditions. It has been setting outside during several days of torrential rains and starts flawlessly very time.

For my particular Del Sol model, the ECU part number is: 37820-P06-A52. This seems to be a pretty scarce version, as I was only able to find one listed.

Too bad that the local Honda stealership is not aware of this issue with the ECU, but I suspect that even if they were, the cost of them replacing an ECU would be astronomical!

Former User

You do realize that the ECU is about 20 years old, right? Is that a defect or the simple consequence of age?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

What issue? The ECU is ancient as far as computers go. Car parts do not last forever.

Jimster480

lol the ECU was 20 years old, they go bad... I've had a few quit on me already.

delsolintegra

Glad it cured it.
Gotta keep those Florida del sols running.
I liked Ft Myers. Played golf at Fiddlestix once.

jbpnoman

4x4 status

delsolintegra

has to be i drive it in the sand dunes

Ryan Rill

Hello, my name is Ryan and I new to forums. Hopefully will be able to assist me with my car problem. I live in Florida and when it rains my 93 del sol doesn't want to start. I think it's the ECU that's going bad. It's can take up to 30 mins to start in the morning. Recently I been looking around to find a ECU it no luck yet. Would anyone have a P28-L51 ECU available for me to buy.

Jimster480

this is not the place for this. Also once you get some posts you can go on Honda market place and find one. It could be a issue with your distributor but you need to make your own thread.

HiFlight

Hi, Ryan...

Yes, it is undoubtedly the ECU. My symptoms were exactly the same and after several fruitless efforts by Honda to resolve the issue, I purchased a used ECU from Ebay and it completely solved my problem. Car has started just fine ever since the replacement. Ebay seems to have more Del Sol parts available than Honda! Mine cost $100 shipped.

Good luck!

Jimster480

than honda? Del Sol is Honda.. And yea he could buy one on Ebay