The cars owner before me installed a very janky alarm system in my 1990 CRX SI before I got a hold of it. It never worked right and this morning when I went to start my car up, smoke billowed out of the dash under the steering wheel. I know for a fact that it was the alarm system that caught fire, because I kicked it until it went out. I cut all the alarm system out of the car and now it won't turn over. All other power works, when ignition is turned on, it cuts power to everything and clicks like it should, but doesn't turn over.

If anyone has the wiring diagram for the starting system under the dash, or can point me in the right direction as to wire colors and where they should go, it would be greatly appreciated, thanks HT.

 

I don't have the schematic, but you can probably get the Factory service manual at xxxxx. It is actually free and requires NO registration.

Other than that, I would look under the hood. I think the spade connector on the starter is the one from the ignition. It might be the same color all the way to the steering column. I know that I apply 12v+ to the spade terminal (with the key in "on" position) to crank my car because of wiring issues.

 

I already tried the manual, and it seems that the only ignition diagram is for under the hood, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

I'll go look at that spade connector, thanks alot.

If all else fails, is that where I could hook up a push button starter to bypass the ignition switch?

Also, how would I check that its just killing the starter motor and not the actual ignition system/fuel system as well?

 

Not good.

Post pictures of the burnt wires/harnesses.

In the end, you may need to replace the dash and other wire harnesses.

In the meantime, have you checked for blown fuses under the dash and hood?

 

The only burnt wires were on the aftermarket alarm system, but I will in a quick second just in case some factory wires were bundled in there

 

Yep, don't try to drive it until all repairs have been made. I was only telling you the wire that I jump so you might be able to determine what color wire you need to fix. If you try to drive it with incorrect/burnt/damaged wiring or blown fuses, it may not start anyway but it is HIGHLY LIKELY to start another fire.

As for a push button, I haven't installed a push button on mine. It is a parts car that sat for 5 years and the clutch safety switch was sitting on the dash when I went to buy it. So I ASSSSSSUMED that the switch was bad and ASSSSSUMED that all other wiring was good......so I jumped the starter and been driving it since, but only as needed to move it around.

 

Thanks for the edit.

The wires under the dash with the green electrical tape are the ones I cut to get the alarm system out.


http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...404_122234.jpg


http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...404_122225.jpg


http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...404_122218.jpg


http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...404_122147.jpg

 

Is hood fuse 37 or dash fuse 14 blown?

If not, does the fuel pump prime for 2 seconds when the key is turned from off to ON(II)?

 

Dash fuse 14 is fine, no hood fuses are blown, fuel pump operates as it should.

 

Does the starter crank the engine with the key in ON(III)?

If so, check for bright white spark at all 4 spark plugs.

 

How can I check for spark if it doesn't turn over?

 

Okay. It wasn't clear to me that you have a no-crank problem.

Does the switch on the clutch pedal get battery voltage when the key is in ON(III)?

 

I traced that wire back and found out that it was cut, wired it back together and it works perfectly, thanks for all the help!