I have a 96DX and a 96EX. If i swap ECU's will VTEC still engage in the EX with the DX ECU?

I'm doing this for a reason, not just because. I have reason to believe my EX's ECU is bad. Sometimes the EX does not want to start and the ECU clicks like crazy. It eventually starts though so i don't know what the problem is.

Will putting the DX ECU in the EX and the EX ECU in the DX cause any problems? It will be just temporary until i can see if the EX's ECU is bad.

 

no problems jus vtec will not kick in ur ex motor.

 

now i also have a jdm b18c ecu. will the vtec still work in the EX with that ECU plugged in?

 

it will but the vtec crossover point is higher, if its a starting problem just toss the DX ecu in and see if it starts.

 

Well, to update.

DX ECU into EX: Car will not start. It turns over but does not idle.

EX ECU into DX: Car starts and throws a CEL. (Didn't bother to check it because i didn't care) Car does not idle, it revs up to what sounds like 2000. The tach neddle does not move unless throttle is pressed. It sits at about 1100.

JDM B18C ECU into EX: Car starts, everything seemed fine except the exhaust smelled rich.

So to conclude, i can't tell if my problem is my ECU because i don't have a good place to swap it. Anyone got any ideas on why an ECU clicks? Hope the info above can help somebody in the future.

 

the ecu doesnt click, relays do, check your battery, main relay, and grounds

you can't swap ecus like that, DX and EX have different idle control systems
swaping random ecus like that is not the way to troubleshoot its how you make trouble

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sicones &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the ecu doesnt click, relays do, check your battery, main relay, and grounds

you can't swap ecus like that, DX and EX have different idle control systems
swaping random ecus like that is not the way to troubleshoot its how you make trouble</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good to know that about 2 hours ago. So is there a relay in my ECU because it sure does click.

 

nope no relays in ecus, well at least not yours, and a few million other people

what exactly is wrong with your car

 

ok, sometimes when i try to start it, i turn the key and all i get it a clicking sound NEAR the ECU. If i keep the key turned it will keep clicking. It's the same click after the car starts. If it's doing it's clicking i let the key go back one spot, turn it again and if it clicks again i keep trying to turn the ignition until it doesnt click. finally it wont click and i'll leave the key forward and there is nothing happeneing but if i hold it EVENTUALLY it will start. Everything else goes normal. The fuel pump purges, the main relay turns on, everything else works... just sometimes the car gets this ghost and won't start. What could be making the clicking noise if it's not the ECU??

 

find where the clicking sound is coming from

 

well, half of my dash is ripped off, ecu is sitting on the floor. It's definately the main relay that is making the clicking noise... It hasn't done it in a while so when it does i'll try to write the symptoms down so i can post them more clearly. Could it be the main relay that's doing this? What would cause the relay to click over and over... i guess i'll go do some searching. Thanks sicones.

 

bad connection to the battery or main relay in need of repair.
both common problems, both cause the main relay to click rapidly.
if nothing else in the car turns on and off while the relay is clicking like this then repair (or replace) the main relay and it should fix your problem.

 

thanks for the info...