luckily i was close to home..... fuel was running low and was pulling into the local gas station. As I reached the entrance ramp to station.. car just stalled, no sputtering or nothing, just like died. I been driving cars a long time and nothing like this ever happened.

Pushed the car to the pump.... filled up. Car still wont start.
Car turns over but will not start.

It was snowing/sleeting last night so I really didnt get a chance to diagnose anything yet. I just walked home and got my brothers car and went back and towed it home.
Im gonna test for spark and fuel pressure this weekend.

My question is ..... (besides the obvious)
Has anyone burnt out their fuel pump or fuel pump relay from running LOW on gas?

Where can I pick up a new Fuel Pump Relay at a decent price besides the dealership? (If i need one)

IF anyone has had similar experiences your comments are welcome... I tried searching but nothing really came up relevant.

Thanx!




Modified by BigDaddyRich at 7:27 PM 3/29/2005

 

check the fuel filter, might as well replace it while you are at it....could be clogged.

does the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the on position??

you could have sucked some crap up from the bottom of the tank and clogged the filter.

i would first try replacing that

 

Definitely check for spark and fuel this weekend. If you had told me all that stuff, but you were not low on gas, I would have guessed it's your ignitor coil. Maybe it was just a coincidence that your gas was running low at the time. Was your gas light on when you pulled into the station?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BigDaddyRich &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My question is ..... (besides the obvious)
Has anyone burnt out their fuel pump or fuel pump relay from running LOW on gas?

Where can I pick up a new Fuel Pump Relay at a decent price besides the dealership? (If i need one)

IF anyone has had similar experiences your comments are welcome... I tried searching but nothing really came up relevant.

Thanx!

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just happened to me with my Teg... little to say and hundreds of $$ later I will never go below 1 quart gas again

I just had my mechanic order the full fuel pump assembly from an Acura dealership cause I needed it fixed asap... but it cost me a bit more

 

definatly sounds like your fuel pump died. happened to my moms exploder awhile back, she let it get down low by E/below E ONE time and it died. but hey that was a ford.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by purplegsr (Exospeed) &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Definitely check for spark and fuel this weekend. If you had told me all that stuff, but you were not low on gas, I would have guessed it's your ignitor coil. Maybe it was just a coincidence that your gas was running low at the time. Was your gas light on when you pulled into the station?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Actually no the gas light was not on.... Im not sure if the gas warning works as i never like to chance it It did take 10.2 gallons at the pump.

Im just wondering how durable the fuel pump is? I have a walbro pump in my other car and when fuel gets low.... pump kinda hisses a little louder than usual.

I didnt feel any sputtering or backfiring..... Im gonna scan the ECU and see if any ingition or fuel related codes come up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evanmb44 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check the fuel filter, might as well replace it while you are at it....could be clogged.

does the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the on position??

you could have sucked some crap up from the bottom of the tank and clogged the filter.

i would first try replacing that</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah Im defintely gonna do an overhaul of the fuel or ignition system once I isolate the problem.

If the snow has melted and its not raining on my **** here tonight.. I'll test some basic stuff when I get home.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

i had a 95 teg GSR and i was sitting at work and checked my oil then started the car to let it warm up before i went home and while it was sitting there it just died, couldn't figure it out for a while, long story short it turned out to be the coil, put in a new one and it fired right up, seeing how coils seem to be a common problem in honda's(in my experience anyway) you might wanna check it out. That my $.02
hope it helps. G/L

 

Turned to ACC position... Car BEEPS 6 times! (SEARCHED --- sounds like seat belt warning)

Well I couldnt find for the life of me the OBD2 scan port near the fuse box???? Is that thing hidden somewhere? It looks so obvious in the chilton manual, but I see nothing even remotely similar the the scan port? Anyone know where it is on a 96 Integra?

I pulled the blue plug out of the green holder on the passenger kick panel. jumpered the plug with a solid core wire..... Turned the car to ACC hoping to find the CEL blinkin.... nothing CEL was SOLID no blinks.

I also waited till there was silence... turned the car to ACC and listened for fuel pump priming with gas cap on and off. I didnt hear anything, not even a slight hum or hiss. I did this about 3-4 times to confirm I was not deaf.... but still no sound from pump.

I wish I could find that damn OBD2 port -- LOL



Modified by BigDaddyRich at 7:09 PM 3/24/2005

 

a solid CEL means a dead ECU if im not mistaken

 

HAHAHAHAHAH ur kidding!?!?!?! Any confirmation on this? What ECU model do I need to find to replace (just in case)

BUT.... even if the ECU died... shouldnt the fuel pump prime? cause it should still be getting voltage signal?

Ran outta daylight ..... I'll try some more tomorrow and do some searches tonight.


OBD2 scan port anyone? that will confirm lots if the ECU is truly dead.

 

Well after doing a little more searching.... SOLID CEL means faulty ECU. (confirmed )

I also found that the ECU controls the Fuel Pump Relay. (activates it) So.... I'll pull out the ECU tomorrow and open it up.

Maybe I'll find some cold solder points that have cracked and are in need of a quick resolder.

IF anyone has any other ideas... feel free to suggest. Also if anyone has a spare ECU in Queens maybe I can try it out and purchase ?

 

Well after some more testing...... I used a testlight to test all the fuses under in the engine bay. Both ECU fuses (15 and 7.5) are good. All the fuses, including clock/radio fuse is good, as radio still plays.

My next question is..... WHAT ECU can I do a temp swap with to see if car can start. a few of my friends have 90-93 Integras and 99 Si's

Im gonna take out my ECU and inspect it tonight. maybe I can resolder it.

I tried the OBD2 scanner and the scan tool cant even find the ECU.

 

WHOA... A solid CEL when the car is RUNNING is a bad ECU, but it will stay on if there is no other problem... Did you check for spark?
These cars are infamous for ignitor and coil failures...
ECU failures are very, very, very rare... And to be quite honest in my 16 years as an Acura technician I've never seen one fail without some kind of outside influence... (wet, tampering, extreme voltage spike from welding with a bad ground, etc.)

 

FIRST QUESTION: If the ECU is dead .. how is the ignitor gonna fire???


I didnt get a Solid CEL at all prior to car dying.. only when i turn the car to ACC.... car cant start so I dunno what happens after that.

Im gonna test for spark tomorrow (if possible) . when I wake up...... how can you explain my OBD2 scanner being plugged in and NOT finding an ECU?


I jumpered the ECU and turned car to ACC -- No CEL flashes.. just a solid CEL.

I was just driving along and the car died?!?! If there was an ignition problem, dont you think a code woulda been stored since I didnt disconnect the battery yet?

I pulled the ECU fuse and will see if it wil lreset.... Im also gonna remove the ECU and test the power and ground wires on the harness with a test light for continuity. This wasy I can be certain tha the ECU is receiving power and is grounded properly.

Any other tips are welcomed.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WHOA... A solid CEL when the car is RUNNING is a bad ECU, but it will stay on if there is no other problem... Did you check for spark?
These cars are infamous for ignitor and coil failures...
ECU failures are very, very, very rare... And to be quite honest in my 16 years as an Acura technician I've never seen one fail without some kind of outside influence... (wet, tampering, extreme voltage spike from welding with a bad ground, etc.)</TD></TR></TABLE>


Modified by BigDaddyRich at 9:55 PM 3/25/2005

 

Well lessee...
without the ETM right here the first thing to do is check ALL the fuses. then check for good memory (always hot) power at the ECU, then key 'ON' hot at he ECU then hot while cranking at the ECU... I beleive the Main Relay supplies the ECU both it's switched power feeds as well as the fuel pump... remove the drivers lower dash cover and you will see a relay box on the far left side on the dashboard support (that's the Main Relay), grab the connector and wiggle it around while cranking to see if it starts. check for fuel pressure by cracking the sealing bolt in the fuel filter banjo bolt, it should spray out... check for any loose grounds on the engine there is one on the thermostat housing and the big one on the trans.... One more thing, frequently ignition system failures don't set any codes because they don't happen repetitively and they happen too fast for the ECU self checks to detect it...


Modified by nsxtech at 7:28 PM 3/25/2005


Modified by nsxtech at 7:39 PM 3/25/2005

 

my guess would be its the coil or ignitor. my coil went and i had the same problem. oh btw if you need a ignitor for a gsr i got one

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well lessee...
without the ETM right here the first thing to do is check ALL the fuses. then check for good memory (always hot) power at the ECU, then key 'ON' hot at he ECU then hot while cranking at the ECU... I beleive the Main Relay supplies the ECU both it's switched power feeds as well as the fuel pump... remove the drivers lower dash cover and you will see a relay box on the far left side on the dashboard support (that's the Main Relay), grab the connector and wiggle it around while cranking to see if it starts. check for fuel pressure by cracking the sealing bolt in the fuel filter banjo bolt, it should spray out... check for any loose grounds on the engine there is one on the thermostat housing and the big one on the trans.... One more thing, frequently ignition system failures don't set any codes because they don't happen repetitively and they happen too fast for the ECU self checks to detect it...


Modified by nsxtech at 7:28 PM 3/25/2005


Modified by nsxtech at 7:39 PM 3/25/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the reply..... Im gonna try all your suggestions tomorrow... If Im getting power to the ECU harness plug..... Im gonna be a bit concerned as to why my OBD2 scanner cannot "find" an ECU to poll. I also thought I read somewhere that the ECU supplies power and a signal to the fuel pump relay. (still dont hear a pump prime when i turn car to ACC) Hopefully I get sprayed with fuel when i crack that bolt


I hope this is something I can solve fairly quickly.. its not the nicest of weather here yet in NY. Thanx!

 

good luck

 

Thanks.... I need more good luck...

No Spark (screwdriver trick) and no fuel pressure on cranking. I even sprayed the ground points with PB Blaster.. cleaned them and retightened on Thermostat housing and Tranny. Still no go.


Im goona search for an ECU pinout and test the load coming into the harness. and also test the efficiency of the ground in the harness now.

IF my test light fires up using those two wires in the harness.. I can safely assume my ECU is dead? I'll be back in a few to report more harness findings.


Thanks for all the Help so far.

 

I have all the same issues on my car. No spark, no fuel and i swapped out the ECU with another. while they BOTH could be dead, i have no idea what the problem is.

 

I cant seem to ground the ECU circuit!!

The ground is denoted at Brown/White

I found the constant Power wire white/blue
I found the switch power/fan ciruit --- forgot what color.


IF i try to insert a piece of solid core wire into the ground pinout, and clip my alligator clip from my tester to ground on that wire, and I insert the probe into the HOT pinouts...... my test light doesnt light up.

BUT.... if I clip the tester to the chassis and insert the proble back into a HOT pinout..... circuit is completed and tester is lit up.


Is there another ground wire? MAYBE I have the wrong wire marked as ground, but Chilton calls it Brown and White.

and Apexi wiring diagram seems to match the same "ground" wire on the SAFC installation pinout.

IS There a MAIN ECU ground PINOUT....? wire color? - PINOUT location?

Thanx.


STILL NO FUEL AND NO SPARK.

 

well I tried bypassing the ground on the ECU harness and splicing in a ground behind harness plug and attaching it directly to the body of car. Car still cranks, but wont start.

I guess ECU is truly fried?

I opened up the ECU and cant seem to see anything wrong or smell anything burnt or out of the ordinary?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BigDaddyRich &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No Spark (screwdriver trick)</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's the trick? Did you just put a screwdriver to the wire? Need to get it near a ground to complete the circuit.

Just FYI in case you didn't.

 

check all these, ignitor coil, fuel pump, fuel filter, distributor coil...