Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion - DIY: How to convert an obd1 automatic ecu to manual

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DIY: How to convert an obd1 automatic ecu to manual

This is a simple DIY for people who want/need to convert their own automatic ecu into a manual instead of buying a new one. I highly recommend that you get some soldering/desoldering practice before attempting it by yourself.

List of things you need:

obd1 automatic ecu
Attachment 452120

Philips Screw driver
Attachment 452121

Soldering pin
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...a/IMG_0335.jpg

desoldering braid
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...a/IMG_0331.jpg

soldering wire
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...a/IMG_0332.jpg

Wire cutter
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...a/IMG_0333.jpg

Carb cleaner; The carb cleaner is used to clean off the clear coat that Honda used to protect the circuit boards. You can either use a tooth brush and brush off the clear coat before you start doing any sort of soldering or you can use it to clean it off afterwards. I however did not have any with me at the time so please forgive the sloppyness of the clear coat burns.

Any ohm resistor since you'll be cutting off the end pieces to use.

First and most simple get your ecu and take off both back and front covers:
Attachment 452122

On the front side locate RP17 and RP18:
Attachment 452123

Once you have located them turn it to the backside and get your soldering pin and desoldering wire. I usually like to heat up the desoldering braid to make things easier:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...a/IMG_0308.jpg

Again locating RP18 and RP17 on the back of the board start desoldering the resistors out. " You could either cut them out first and then desolder it or desolder it first and then pull them out" I however chose to desolder them both before pulling anything out.
Attachment 452124

This is how it should look like once you have desoldered it:
Attachment 452125
Do this to all the connecting spots in order to take the resistors out.

Now that you have desoldered all the connecting spots you should be able to pull them out easily with your wire cutters or pliers:
Attachment 452126

Attachment 452127

Now we will fill up the holes for RP17 "If you chose to cut the resistors out before desoldering than you can skip this step. Here is a pic of RP17 filled:
Attachment 452128

Now take your resistor and cut off one of the end wires to use for RP18:
Attachment 452129

Take that piece and bend it into a U shape for easy insertion into the ecu "RP18":
Attachment 452130

Once you have inserted it into RP18, turn the ecu over and bend the wires so that it stays in place. This also makes the soldering much easier:
Attachment 452131

Now solder it in. Should look like this:
Attachment 452132

Then take your wire cutters and cut off the extra ends that are sticking out:
Attachment 452133

This is how it should look like once you do everything:
Attachment 452134

Once you are done make sure you double check to see that all soldering joints looks nice and clean. When you plug in the ecu into the car make the the battery is disconnected before doing so. I hope this will help out others who are in need of it. Goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!