Need info on ECU repair/ intermittent main relay issue
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Need info on ECU repair/ intermittent main relay issue
Vehicle is a 94 Accord EX Automatic
ECU is 37820-P0A-A51
So I'm experiencing an issue with my Accord. After it's been driven for a while (usually a few days, sometimes as low as 1 day), the fuel pump relay will not stay on/turn on. (both happen, it varies) As for not staying on, it will either just turn off, or flutter rapidly, similar to grounding issues. I've cleaned g101, but that didn't fix anything. If left for a day or two, it will start working again, until it once again starts acting up.
We replaced the Main Relay without luck. I opened the ECU up and found that several electrolytic capacitors (classic can type, nichicon PR) had gone bad, with one leaking onto the board, and another two with only one terminal intact (without massive leak). The green layer of the pcb was eaten through by the leakage, but I the traces looked intact (they are exposed now tho), so I ordered nichicon PS capacitors to replace all the electrolytic capacitors. This seemed to improve start times, downshifting issues, and a funny rattle at 1750RPM, but the next morning, the relay once again wouldn't stay on.
All other components looked ok upon visual inspection, and I even took the ECU back out to see if my new capacitors were still intact, which they were. Also of note is whenever this problem occurs, it is accompanied by transmission trouble code 14. I'm guessing that's a result of whatever is wrong with the ECU.
Anyways, if anyone knows what might be wrong with the ECU, or if it's something else, any help would be appreciated. Preferably I would like to repair the ECU if it is busted, since the idea of buying a 24 year old ECU with the same unreliable nichicon PR capacitors, and the idea of selling my left eyeball to buy a refurbished one both sound very unattractive.
[EDIT] Just hit me, could there be problem with the transmission that is causing this, and also causing code 14?
[EDIT] Forgot to update this thread, I replaced the capacitors with nichicon PS capacitors with the same numbers, and jumped all the damaged traces with wire. All good.
ECU is 37820-P0A-A51
So I'm experiencing an issue with my Accord. After it's been driven for a while (usually a few days, sometimes as low as 1 day), the fuel pump relay will not stay on/turn on. (both happen, it varies) As for not staying on, it will either just turn off, or flutter rapidly, similar to grounding issues. I've cleaned g101, but that didn't fix anything. If left for a day or two, it will start working again, until it once again starts acting up.
We replaced the Main Relay without luck. I opened the ECU up and found that several electrolytic capacitors (classic can type, nichicon PR) had gone bad, with one leaking onto the board, and another two with only one terminal intact (without massive leak). The green layer of the pcb was eaten through by the leakage, but I the traces looked intact (they are exposed now tho), so I ordered nichicon PS capacitors to replace all the electrolytic capacitors. This seemed to improve start times, downshifting issues, and a funny rattle at 1750RPM, but the next morning, the relay once again wouldn't stay on.
All other components looked ok upon visual inspection, and I even took the ECU back out to see if my new capacitors were still intact, which they were. Also of note is whenever this problem occurs, it is accompanied by transmission trouble code 14. I'm guessing that's a result of whatever is wrong with the ECU.
Anyways, if anyone knows what might be wrong with the ECU, or if it's something else, any help would be appreciated. Preferably I would like to repair the ECU if it is busted, since the idea of buying a 24 year old ECU with the same unreliable nichicon PR capacitors, and the idea of selling my left eyeball to buy a refurbished one both sound very unattractive.
[EDIT] Just hit me, could there be problem with the transmission that is causing this, and also causing code 14?
[EDIT] Forgot to update this thread, I replaced the capacitors with nichicon PS capacitors with the same numbers, and jumped all the damaged traces with wire. All good.
Last edited by Joshua Panola; Mar 30, 2021 at 12:19 PM. Reason: update story, don't want to bump
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chad olson
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Jan 27, 2009 12:35 PM