Ok, I got a '88 Civic hatchback that has a dead battery. It has been sitting up awhile but I had been jumping it off every so often. Well eventually it ran out of gas. So I put some gas in it and tried to jump it off again and it wouldn't start. So I did the test to check for a bad fuel pump. The following results were with a DMM (set on DC) touching the positive probe to the yellow/black wire on the connector under the back seat and I touched the negative probe to the black wire.

1. With the key in the 'on' position, the battery cables connected to another car for power and a jumper (pins 5 and 7) placed on the main relay connector; I got -14.9mV reading.

2. With the key in the 'on' position, battery cables connected and NO jumper; I got -14.7mV. Almost exactly the same with the jumper. Weird.

3. With NO key in the ignition, battery cables connected and NO jumper; I got 0.1mV.

What readings am I supposed to be getting with this test? Another thing that was kinda strange was that the connector under the back seat had 3 positions for pins (yellow w/black stripe, black, yellow w/white stripe all side by side) instead of 4 positions (2 on top and 2 on bottom) like the picture in the manual. I am 99% certain I got the right connector though because there isn't another one in the area at all.

Suggestions?

 

Help. Shouldn't I be getting different readings with the main relay jumped than without?

 

So does the fuel pump kick on when you turn the key to the On position before you start it?

 

I didn't hear anything. I'll hook the main relay back up and check again. It still concerns me that I get basically identical readings when I have the main relay jumpered and when I don't.

 

I didn't hear anything so I guess it's the fuel pump???

 

well not exactally, What kinda of noise does your car make when u turn your key? is it trying to turn over but it just wont, is there a clicking sound? does it make no noise at all?? these are important questions because it will help us help u. Now im sure your a pretty smart kid but check all your wires that have to do with the battery(EX:positive wire,negative wire, starter wire, your wire that connects from your engine fuse box to your pos. battery cable). The only reason i say this is because Sometimes even I tend to overlook the small things because it doesnt seem realistic that i would forget them but, it happens. My car had almost an identical problem and all it was was that my wires werent tightened down enough to the fuse box&battery. not to add that my battery was COMPlETELY DEAD. check those things out then go from there.....always remember when trying to solve a problem u must start from the begging.

 

The battery is dead. I had been jumping it off. It does sound like it wants to start but it just won't catch.

 

Any other thoughts?

 

Did you try a different relay? It's been a couple of days since I wrote you. What have you tried since then?