Loby

Old coil and old icm in EBAY distributor does run but throws code 8.

Ron, thanks for your help, but I'm out of time for today.

I'll check those other things tomorrow.

Loby

[QUOTE=RonJ@HT;38939956]So, in this configuration, you have spark and code 8, right?
So if you put the old coil and old ICM into the old distributor and install it in the engine, then you still lack spark but no codes are thrown after cranking the engine for 30 seconds or more, right? If so, check for:




1) Battery voltage on the BLK/YEL wire connected to the coil and ICM with the key in ON(II).

2) Continuity between both ends of the WHT/BLU wire and continuity between the ends of the YEL/GRN wire (between distributor connector and ICM).


With old coil and old icm in new distributor we do have spark,the engine runs and throws code 8.

(ECU cleared) With old distributor,old coil and old icm cranked for 30 sec.(no start) throws code 15. A problem in the ignition output signal circuit.

1) BLK/YEL wire at coil and icm key on has 12.3 V

2) We have continuity between both ends of WHT/BLU wire Thats between coil and icm.
YEL/GRN wire has continuity between dist. con. and ICM.


Whats next ???

Former User

Code 15 is surely the cause for no spark by the old distributor. Typically, code 15 indicates a bad igniter unit/ICM. Based on your other tests, however, I think it's safe to assume that the ICM is good.

This assumption strongly suggests that the problem lies with the Yel/Grn wire that runs between the ICM and the ECU. First look for a short in this wire. The Yel/Grn wire pins to A21 and A22 in ECU connector A. At the ECU, these two wires are Red/Grn. Leave the distributor connected and turn the key OFF. Unplug ECU connector A and individually test for continuity (low resistance/Ohms) to ground for terminals A21 and A22 in the connector. Then do the same test but with the Yel/Grn wire disconnected from the ICM. Continuity to ground would indicate a short somewhere in the Yel/Grn wire.

Next individually test for continuity on the Yel/Grn wire between A21 or A22 and the end that connects to the ICM. Lack of continuity would indicate that an open is causing code 15.

Loby

Ron, Do you think its safe to assume that the code 15 problem is confined to the old distributor since the EBAY dist. doesn't throw code 15 and the engine runs with EBAY dist. ? Or is that being too presumptuous ?

Former User

That's my assumption as well. Note that the old distributor problem (likely a bad Yel/Grn wire) might also be due to a bad connection at the distributor connector or at the ICM. The tests should also reveal this possibility.

Loby

I checked A21 & A22 from ECU connecter to ICM and have continuity on both wires and A21 & A22 to ground and have no shorts. It seems like that circuit checks out.

I checked voltage on the pick up coil wires while spinning dist. shaft and got between .007 & .024.

I checked every dist.terminal to case ground, no shorts.

I checked every connector terminal to its destination inside dist. and had continuity on the wires I could see.

Seems like it should be working.

Getting frustrated.

Former User

With everything reconnected but with the distributor cap and rotor off, turn the key to ON(II) and then measure the voltage on the YEL/GRN wire where it attaches to the igniter unit. Use the thermostat housing as ground. What voltage do you measure?

Loby

Ron,
I measured zero V. So I hooked up the Ebay dist. and measured 10.3 V
I looked in both dist. and found I crossed the BLK/YEL wire with the BLU wire on the ICM.I'm sure I did this before you came along. I switched the wires to the correct positions and wouldn't you know. Starts right up, timing adjust perfect, no codes, and I'm on the road again. It was a great education for me , but very frustratiing.

Turns out the original ECU was smoked and the new EBAY dist. which I replaced first had the bad TDC sensor

Thanks so much for your help and time. I would like to apologize for having a case of the dumb A$$ !!!

Honda-Tech .com and members is lucky to have folks like you around.

Thanks,
Tim

Former User

Congrats on the fix Tim.

Harryflores

Those are some good pages to check, thanks man!