I have just replaced the 1493CC motor in my daughter's 1991 civic LX sedan and can't get it to start. It cranks and at first it would sputter but now no spark from the distributor. I have replaced the distributor with a new one (the old one had a lifetime warranty) but still no spark. All the correct voltages are at the distributor but nothing from the timing light when I crank it over. I have looked for the main relay under the dash but no luck yet, they indicate it is under the dash on the left side but nothing that looks like the relay.
Any suggestion on where to start this troubleshooting will be greatly appreciated. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...es/emcrook.gif

 

welcome to H-T

here is the main relay location


check your grounds as well

 

I would diff check the main relay it's above the hood latch on the driver side

 

timing might be off. double check that. its usually whats wrong.

 

Not enough info. Did you just drop in a replacement motor that was already set up? Did you drop in a JDM motor? Is it the right motor/distributor? Is it MPFI or DPFI?

 

Thank you for the picture you made much easier to locate, problem is getting it out. I was having problems getting the electrical plug disconnected so I tried removing the main bracket bolt, and the harness is keeping it hung up. Not wanting to disamble that portion of the dash...should I have disconnected the relay electrical plug prior to the support being removed?

 

I appreciate your picture of the relay. I'm working through a issue removing the relay so I can do the testing. I have the harness hung up. Do you know if there is a electrical diagram of main relay? The manual I have doesn't show a pin out connection of the relay, do you know a link to that info?

 

No offense man, but searching will net you the answers much faster usually...

This took two seconds on google, literally....



What motor did you replace it with? Engine code is stamped on the front of the engine, right by the heat shield where the tranny mates up

(also took seconds to find this too... as I figure this will be the next question)

 

What a hassle.

Does your fuel pump prime when you turn the key to "on"?
Tell tale sign if your Main Relay dies.
Should have checked that before digging about under the dash.

Also, check out the grounds. If you missed any of them, then you aren't getting spark.
Triple check the ground on the thermostat housing!

 

Yes thank you I'm a first timer so I have a problem of leaving vital info out of the problem.
The motor came from "Engine and Transmission World" and they took the VID number of the car to match the motor so I feel as if I have received the correct motor.
Have you deal with the motor's from "Engine and Transmission World"?
I have read review that say they have a good product but this is my first time using their motors so i believe the trouble is in my backyard.

 

Ya I first thought it was the pump but it comes up to presure..but I'm having my doughts on the filter and may just do some preventive mantainance.
Thanks again I really appreciate the input!

 

I have checked the timing with a compression gage the rotor posiion and the timing marks on the pully they look real close but I don't have a spark at any of the plug wires so I need to address this first.
If you have any other ideas please send them to me I'm...ready to get this running.
Thanks Bro

 

Yea Good Point!
But sometimes when you have been under a dash in the heat you just don't take the time to thinks thing through and just SCREAM help!
Thanks for the print!

 

Yes the fuel pump does prime and I'll check the grounds at the thermnostat, I have not though about that connection. Any other ideas please forward them to me I would really appreciate getting this running.

 

Potentially there may be a background problem which is why you may have swapped out the engine previously.


Why did you put in a new engine?
What engine code is this engine? D15B2?
Do you have any electrical problems other than no spark?
Is your check engine light on?
Is your rotor actually on (inside the cap)? They are notorious for removing themselves and falling off inside the cap. I've had it happen while I was driving down a hill, not fun.
Alternator is good?
Battery is good? I figure your battery is good if your fuel pump is priming and engine cranks...


Also there are 4 grounds... Off the top of my head I can name 3... hopefully someone can chime in with the last....

Thermostat
Battery
Valve Cover
XXXXXX Transmission?

 

Thanks for your suggestion that was the issue with the lost spark. During the replacement I didn't catch that connection and when I ran my hand down the harness I found the two connectors and tied then down. Have spark but it sounds like the timing is way off. Going to look for information on resetting the ECM unit.

 

Nooch,

I didn't remove the tranmission so I'm hoping that the ground connection is still connected. Is the ground connection inside the engine compartment or under the car?
thanks again!

 

Thanks Everyone I have it starting and running on it own for a little while. It is running but after about 10 seconds the engine start to tach up and doesn't stop unless I turn off the ignition key. Has anyone seen this problem before? I reset the ECM by removing the fuse to the unit for over a minute so it is reset. Any input will be great I'm really close and need to complete this task.
Again thanks to everyone who has offered suggestion I really appreciate the help!!

Found problem with the tach up, nothing but pilot error and miss adjustment. Everyone thanks again!

 

Sounds like the throttle position sensor is wired backwards. Search for throttle position sensor test.