Hello Honda-Tech,
First time user here and long-term browser/reader.
I could use some help troubleshooting a Civic LX that has had some troubles starting as of late. Troubleshooting so far, the parts that have been replaced have been: spark plugs, wireset, distributor, the fuel pump main relay, and the fuel pump.

As I was driving, on April 2nd, the car's engine just shut off a couple of seconds after the c.e.l. turned on and it wouldn't start up that night until the following morning when the fuel pump primed on. The night before the fuel pump wouldn't prime up at all. After replacing all of the said parts one by one and checking to see if it would start, nothing happened until the main relay got replaced.

It ran well, if not better for awhile. On the 11th, I was driving when the c.e.l. came on again and the car stopped running right after.

The weird part was that there was this odd "scratching" sound near the pedals; I can't tell if it was behind the firewall or not, but it was noticable to say the least. Having not replaced the fuel pump before, I did that along with a newer fuel pump main relay. Same thing happened as before. It would crank, but not start. All the lights work, the battery is good, the fuses look good (I have no access at this time to check electrical ratings), the thermostate ground wire has been cleaned. I took apartthe ECU and oned capacitor has solder joints that are dirty and corroded, the C19 one I believe. Unfortunately its too late to check for codes seeing as though a friend disconnected the battery without my presence. I am completely stumped as to what to do next. I've been contemplating on replacing the ECU with one from eBay since the junkyards around me don't have any in stock. May somebody help out a fellow Honda driver with diagnosing and troubleshooting? It'd be greatly appreciated.