We were finishing up a top end rebuild on my friends engine. It is a 96 Civic Hatch with an 98 ITR swap. As we filled up the radiator with water, a little bit splashed on the engine ground. When we tried to turn it over, it made a pretty big spark. My idiot friend told us to try and turn it over a second time without drying it off and it sparked again. After that when you turn the key the only thing that comes on is the brake light and the srs light. The fuel pump no longer comes on and if you try to turn it over, nothing happens. We checked all the fuses under the hood and in the car. We replaced the main relay and checked the ECU which seemed to be fine. Anybody have a clue what it could be?

 

Sounds like a possible loose ground somewhere

 

Also, check for popped fuses in both fuse box locations.

 

I figured out the problem. My friend had painted the bracket that the ground was connected to. I took the paint off and it works fine. Thanks for the help

 

Haha, yeah I had that happen to me about 7 years ago when I was in high school.

Instead of cleaning the tranny, I just spray painted it silver. I also painted where it meets up with the block. Now I know thats a grounding path, back then I didnt, I had to drop the tranny and wizz wheel it off.

Cranked up first try after that lol. Lessons learnt, glad shes running again.