Hi, as the tittle say can I use the 3 plugs that connect to the ECU from a 97 HX on my 96 civic EX.

I have a problem when the ECU moves or you wiggle the plug the car dies or trigger the CEL, Especially plug D. I want to cut and splice the whole plug D, to solve the issue.

Thanks
Carlos

Sorry I believed I was on 92-00 civic forum, moderators please move to civic 92-00 forum.

 

There are tabs on each ecu plug

Flip those up on the wire side

Then on the side that you can see the pins there are tabs that you push up and the. the wire comes out

Dont chop the whole plug off. Thatll be a lit of soldering and if you dont know how to solder itll be a nightmare later

All you need is a paper clip and once you figure out the first pin the rest are easy.

Take them out one by one and inspect them. If there is a broken or corroded pin replace that one then move on.

Look up pics on ffsquad.com

 

Hx uses a different non vtec motor so while they are both OBD2A and will plug in it won't work.

IIRC the HX uses throttle body injection where the ex is port injection so it won't run the ex motor
Also the HX is a nonvtec motor where the EX is a vtec motor.

If you need another OEM ex ecu I have one off of mine just sitting around.

 

Thanks turbohatch96y7, I bought the plug and just going to cut and solder the bad ones.

 

Apparently you didn't read my post about the HX having a different motor and ecu than the EX which means the HX ecu probably won't even crank your EX. It certainly won't provide the proper fueling and vtec won't work.

 

HX is SOHC ECONOMY VTEC with port injection

 

Oh yea that 3 stage bullshit. IIRC due to wiring differences and vtec solenoid differences on top of different maps in the HX ecu that it can't trigger a normal vtec solenoid, at least from what I can remember.

 

Hmm you are no doubt more knowledgeable then I am on this stuff....I would think the VTEC trigger pretty much works the same just takes voltage (12v) to actuate solenoid. But it doesn't even matter given that the maps will be complete;y wrong as you sated.

I myself own a HX and what I did with my motor swaps was OBd2 to obd1 conversion harness with a chipped P28 and everything works great

 

wantboost, I read your post and I understand, I'm going to remove the needed pins from the HX plug and cut and solder in my actual harness.

At first I think in swap it all but as turbohatch said, is a headache and future nightmare, plus won't fit.

 

It doesn't matter, the HX vtec system kept one intake valve per cylinder closed until the first stage was activated, then that intake valve was partially opened to increase swirl until the 3rd stage activated and the valve opened completely.

Due to these stages the ecu has multiple vtec fuel and ignition maps, maps the EX ecu doesn't have. So even though you might be able to move a few pins around to get vtec to activate the HX ecu still won't provide proper fueling or ignition timing. Also IIRC once the HX ecu triggers the 3rd stage it deactivates the 2nd stage vtec solenoid pin.

Basically it won't work properly but if you want to risk damaging your motor while driving like an *** then be my guest but remember we told you so.

 

Wantboost, you're not paying attention to what this guy is asking. He just wants to know if he can replace the plug on his harness. The plug, not the ecu, not the vtec solenoid, not the engine or even the harness, just the plastic piece that clicks in to the ecu, the plug. He got his answer & he's good to go.
That being said, all the things you said about the HX were also incorrect. The HX comes with the Y7 engine. The Y7 is in fact a vtec engine (vtec-e, not 3 stage), but it functions just a little different than the other vtec engines, as it is designed for efficiency and driveability instead of top end hp. It uses the same head and very similar intake as the Y8, but has egr, roller cams and an exhaust manifold with built in cat. It was also mated to a cvt which produced really stellar mpg. FWIW, my 5spd Y7 with Y8 manifolds and stock (I think) P28 runs OK, pending final tune.
Please know what you're talking about before posting nonsensical crap just so new guys will think you know what you're talking about. This stuff is easy enough to research (Bing et al) so there's no excuse for actually suggesting Honda was still using throttle body injection in '97. That is all.
Oh yeah, good luck Carlos.
Gator