Hey guys im looking to buy a 1989 honda accord lxi FI from my friends dad for about $150 with 110k on it. The only thing wierd about the car is it cranks and cranks but does not start. He has to put his foot to the floor to clear flood mode and then it starts. He thinks its because of the check engine light. He has a check engine light for a code 6(ect sensor open or short).

Do you guys think this would make sense??? the ecu isnt able to read the ect so it thinks its cold, causing the car to flood and create a bad mixture and not be able to start. What do you guys think??

We checked the ect sensor resistance and it was good. Next test was to check if the sensor was getting a 5 volt reference, and it was so thats good.

Then it lead me to replacing the ecu since the other 2 test passed. Maybe a circuit blew, not letting the ecu to receive a signal back from the sensor. Im wondering if replacing the ecu is common in these older cars? Where would i be able to buy one? does anyone on here have one if i need it?? Need some diag help.....anyone experience this or can back me up on some info???

 

That sensor's resistance varies with temperature. IIRC, it's called a TW sensor and isn't the same one that drives the temp gauge. When they fail, the resistance will jump (high I think) as the temperature changes instead of a smooth gradual change. Of course, you have to catch the sensor in the act which requires it to be in the right temperature range.

The starting method to clear a flood condition most definately sounds like a bad reading from the temp sensor.

 

We checked the sensors resistance and it is within specs of 200-400ohms. Do you think we should check this again? we checked the resistance while the car was warm.

We have to see if there is a voltage going back to the ecu from the sensor also.


Modified by snakey5138999 at 10:48 PM 10/28/2008