I have a 88 civic DX hatchback that i bought non running due to a blown engine and apparently somthing else . I swapped a single cam ZC and used all the factory stuff, intake mani, header, wiring, ETC, and stayed dual point for simplicity.

It wont start, but cranks and sparks, ive replaced the main relay, my old one was buzzing and so does my new one. I replaced the ECU just becuase... i keep getting code 16 which states it as "fuel injector" i got another fuel injector and tested it,,, its in spec. All my grounds are immaculate for the record.

basically, i beleive the main relay is not putting out enough juice (NOT FULL 12V) to the ECU to run the car. Same as the fuel pump(which is powered from the main relay), i can hear it cycle, but when it does its super slow. I juiced 12v's to the fuel pump, shes pumps just fine.( so i know the pump works) The fuel injector is not functioning as well due to not enough power to the ECU. the new main relay still buzzes, the new ECU still throws code 16. I checked all the wiring 5 thousand times and i have done numerous swaps, so its not a fist timer mistake...I checked the ignition switch, it gets 12v and delivers 12v. I know the main relay is not doing its job. the car will run if you spray starting fluid into the intake, so i KNOW everything is hooked up properly, just the fuel injection system isnt working. yes i do have proper spark, and fuel pressue when i jump 12v to the pump, and firing order is correct.

i had a problem like this with my 99 hatch, i managed to bypass the main relay by finding the main power wire leading to the ECU, i just jumped 12v to the ECU directly as well as to the fuel pump and she fired right up.

Any one know the wire or wire code that is the main power source for the ECU? (88dx hatch dualport with PM5 ECU) Anyone else encounter a problem like this? PLEASE HELP!!!! ive had this car sitting in my garage for 2 weeks now and i want to torch it! thanks to all the help me!!!

PS its a 4speed manual stock, and i swapped in a 5 speed tranny, that should effect anything,,, should it?
-james

 

what voltage are you gettin at the pump?

have you tried a different battery??

 

battery got a full charging, plus i had my other EF next to it with jumper cables while running and still no dice. I do not know the exact voltage going to the pump, but from my test light i could guess at 5-8 volts.. havnt tried the different battery yet, someone else mentioned that, but i really doubt thats the case... anyone else with idea? i hate this car....

 

buehler?

 

hello hello hello

 

where is the love for the EF!!!???

 

Whats the main power feed's wire code to the ECU for this car???

 

I will bet you anything that your problem has to do with a bad ground under the thermostat housing. Check it, clean it, and all the other grounds while your at it, and let me know.

Done lots of swaps myself, and bad grounds are common, either they go bad when manipulating the harness or they are forgotten when installing the engine.

Good Luck!

 

I have all the usual grounds properly grounded,,, Il remove them grind down to fresh metal and replace. then ill swap batteries for ***** and giggles. The T-stat housing is grounded, what else should i check by the T-stat???

Wierd thing was when i replace the Main relay the old one was loose, not bolted down, so i was think the hilljack i got the car from may have dicked with it. Thats the only thing under the dash that i can tell was changed/different from stock. Im going to be REALLY upset if its a simple ground after all this time/money/swearing... thanks for the help, keep it going!!!

 

POOoop

 

i just did a mpfi swap and my car wont start either. same buzzing noise on the drivers side under the dash. my check engine light is also flashing along with the sound. wtf? any ideas?

 

what you can try just for diagnosis is hard wire the fuel pump to a switch.

Also you could unplug the Main relay and check the harness for bent pins.

 

i already hardwired the fuel pump, no luck on starting, but when i do the ECU throws a solid red code, no flashes. Yes the pump does work.
Right now i just want to find what wires feed 12v to the ECU so i can hardwire the ECU so it doesnt have to rely on the main relay for the 12v. Then i will hardwire the fuel pump and it will work, i know this because i did the same damn thing to my EK after i swapped a b18c in it....
WHAT WIRE(S) is THE MAIN 12V FEED TO THE ECU!!!!????

 

Under dash fuse box, top, 2nd from left, alternator solenoid fuse, runs direct power to ECU...take 10 amp fuse out and no power to the ecu and injectors...

 

that fuse is fine, still not running. Stupid new main relay buzzes when trying to start, still code 16. Runs on starting fluid and thats it, otherwise, i am about to torch it. My grounds are mint, checked and redid them 6 times.... ANYONE HELP ME!!!!!???? The stupid main relay i bought from honda was in an opened bag, think that it may be shot like the original? the original in my car buzzed just like the new one when trying to start... im gonna torch this car very soon....

 

Ok. If your grounds are good, then you have either a bad ECU, Injector Resistor box, or bad wiring somewhere. Maybe not the wiring that you have to add/change, but something somewhere isn't right cuz you aren't getting injector pulse.

Check this out:
http://www.icelord.net/honda/repair/
There are a bunch of Honda manuals there. Find the one that is for the 88CRX and have a look in the PGM-FI wiring area. You will find tests for the Main Relay, the Main Relay wiring, Injector Resistor tests, and the wiring for each injector. Where it tells you to hook up some special test wiring harness, just test it from the cars own wiring harness. Thats what I did. You should also find the ground distribution diagrams, and check from the pins on the ECU to the ground locations to make sure there is continuity. If the continuity is crap, run a new ground outside the harness. If the car runs after, then you have a broken ground wire, know what I mean?

Hope this helps you out!

Laters.

 

i dont have multi port, i have the very awesome dual port setup. Im on my second ECU and both do the same thing. No injector resistor box because i have the dual point ******* setup. I may add some grounds from the ecu wiring and cross my fingers. thats about all i can think of. car only has 134k and all the wiring harnesses are in great condition everywhere, nothing chewed or mangled.
-this car sucks, but thanks for the info!!! greatly appreciated. round 45 in the garage tomorow...

 

******* aint runnin, help!!!

 

problem SOLVED!!!! few alcohalic beverages, 3 sawzall blades, and 2 hrs later. 10 bite sized pieces, i never thought i would be soo happy chopping a car up before. Ahhh, so nice, i can start in on my del sol and RX7. thanks! and PS EF's suck ***!

 

hey, i would have taken it

 

Burbank Ca to Berwyn IL isnt going to be cheap for shipping/transportation. I didnt want to chop her becuase it had a great body for an 88, a chicago car at that! o well, im glad its gone, hahaha. The mini R/del sol project is under way!!!

 

RIP hatchy....hahah