I've got a 1990 EF with a Obd-0 B16/ecu. I didn't do the swap, and this is my first honda, so I'm kind of diving into this blind. Some background to where I am now is:

Driving down the interstate on Sunday (very hot day) and my car shuts off. I merge over and the first thing that crosses my mind is to check the main relay. Yep, it was hot as hell. After a few minutes I was able to turn the car back on, but only for about 10 seconds before it shut off again. I called a friend to pick me up and we took the main relay off of my roommates parts wagovan (same part number). Got back to the car, plugged it in and she started right up. Didn't have any other problems until this morning.

I go outside to come to work and the car just turns over and over without firing up. I fiddle around with the main relay again and nothing helps. Oh well, get in the Subaru and come to work. Go back home at lunch to read some codes on the ecu but the little red light won't even turn on... The car still trys to crank with no avail.

I've read through many of you guys problems with main relays/ignition switches/dizzy's/etc... and am still unsure as to what it would be since the ecu light won't even turn on. Please give me some feedback as to what you think it might be.

 

Did you get a check engine light?

 

It constantly has a check engine light.

 

Do you know how to check it?

You prob is more than likely your dizzy......

 

Do I know how to check the codes? Yes, I learned today, but couldn't read them because the ecu wouldn't turn on. Which is why I feel like it's still a bad main relay. I'm going to check to see if I have fuel/spark when I get home. If not, then I 100% know that it's the relay.

Another question. If the ECU isn't turning on, then would my cel/door ajar/ebrake/etc. lights in my cluster still work? Because they still turn on.

 

If you have fuel and spark then your main relay may not be the problem. The main relay tells the fuel pump to prime the engine, I believe don't hold me to it, but does you car crank at all?

 

Yes, the main relay tells the pump to prime, and the dizzy to spark. It also sends power to the ecu. This tells me that it's the relay.

The car cranks, but never all the way. I guess I don't know the correct term for what is happening. Haha, it goes "raadadadadadadadada" try again "raadadadadadadada". < make sense?

 

Have another ecu layin around??? lol if so try another ecu that you know works. Have you pulled the spark plug out of the head ad plugged it in an checked the spark and makin sure it hittin? O yea can u hear your fuel pump prime up when you turn the key on?

 

Well, as I suspected... it was the damn main relay again. I shelled out the $65 for a new one, and it worked perfectly. I wonder what is causing me to go through these things so quickly. Any ideas?