Author Topic: '94 Del Sol not catching fire, help! Update!! (Read 3964 times)

Duke McDukiedook · « **on:** September 21, 2016, 07:00:50 AM »

Hey guys,
Like the title says my 175K '94 Del Sol is trying to start but is not catching fire. The starter turns over, I tested the ignition coil, tested the ICM, changed the spark plugs, tested the PGM FI relay and resoldered the contacts on the relay (seems to be a problem with these cars) and even bought a new one and it seems the fuel pump does not prime when I turn the ignition on. I jumpered the fuel pump with the PGM FI relay off and it ran (the fuel pump but not the car) and I took the fuel hose off to see if it was truly pumping gas. It did. I also changed the rotor and distributor cap. I think I may need to test the crank position sensors next but if that comes up OK I think I am running out of DIY options. Any recommendations?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2016, 07:33:58 AM »

Not catching fire? Have you tried pouring gas on the engine and lighting a match?!

Sorry, could not resist.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:27:55 AM »

Nah, this is a great commuter car and has at least 100K more in her if I can figure out what the problem is with the fuel/spark issue.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:34:32 AM »

You have confirmed that you are actually getting spark from the plugs? If I recall correctly from my 1990 CRX, you can pull the plug wire and fit in and test for spark at the plug just like you can on an SOHC4.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2016, 09:29:12 AM »

Not yet. I tested the coil with an ohmmeter and it spec'ed out okay. I can't find my old gap tester so I will need to buy another spark tester.
I don't think lack of spark would have anything to do with the fuel pump not priming when I turn the ignition to 'on'.

Steve F · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2016, 09:38:20 AM »

I'm assuming it's fuel injected?

Check the fuel PRESSURE. Merely flowing isn't good enough as some systems require 70-80 psi minimum.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2016, 10:24:32 AM »

Yep, FI. I guess I will have to do that also after I buy a fuel pressure gauge.

DH · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2016, 07:13:58 PM »

Good main ground wire at thermostat housing attachment point? Maybe a defective ECM? Fuel pump ground ok? I'd think crank sensor if bad would still prime pump with koeo.. Any codes? Is CEL on constantly?

eigenvector · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:51:48 PM »

I think you should step away from the parts counter until you've had a chance to really think about it.

Is it coughing - like it wants to start?
Are the plugs wet after trying to start it?
Fuel filter plugged?
Are ALL the fuses intact and good?
Tried to use Ether? This will quickly eliminate spark questions.

Despite all that fancy doo-dad emission control stuff - starting the engine is pretty basic, fuel/spark/air and it's no different than the SOHCs we're riding. Once it starts - then all that stuff takes over.

Edit: Isn't there also a fuel cut-off switch on the floor that disables the fuel pump in case of an accident? Might that be triggered?

70CB750 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2016, 02:19:20 AM »

The fuel pump should prime for 2 seconds no matter what is going on with the engine.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2016, 04:58:58 AM »

Spray starter fluid into the throttle body. If fuel is the issue it will try to start.

You don't need to buy a fuel pressure tester. All the major auto parts chains have loaner programs. You can just borrow one.

DH · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2016, 12:51:03 PM »

just something to consider, is there any type of anti theft system that might interrupt certain functions of the ecm?

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2016, 12:59:02 PM »

The radio has an anti-theft code on it. I will have to look into the electrical manual a bit further to see what other systems would affect fuel delivery. When I did a check to find any CEL codes (this system is OBDI) the SRS light kept blinking at a steady rate continuously.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2016, 10:01:44 AM »

Oh yeah, damn those pesky anti-theft systems.
Left me stuck in a parking lot more than once. Because I didn't put the key in the door jjjuuuussstt rrriiiiggghhhtttt.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2016, 04:13:46 AM »

I had to google '94 Del Sol to even understand what you're talking about Fiddy, I hope the car's better than it's name? Anyway now I do, yeah, I presume the fuel pump relay is working? When I bought my Yamaha FJR1300 it was a non-runner, it had been running fine until the PO decided to charge the battery, and then for some reason, it would crank, but it wouldn't fire? He was really embarrassed and I probably could have talked the price down even further, but it was cheap, so we pushed it onto my trailer and I dragged it home.

When I got it home I turned the key and all the lights came on, but I didn't hear the buzz of the fuel pump. All he'd done was remove the panel that hides the battery, so I removed it, and saw some wiring connections, so I just jiggled each one with the ignition key in the "on" position until I heard the fuel pump buzz, hit the button, and it fired right up. On a BMW K1100LT I owned, I had a similar situation, but this time it required a new relay. Cheers, Terry.

DH · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2016, 06:15:54 AM »

Quote from: DukieDukenDuke on September 22, 2016, 12:59:02 PM

The radio has an anti-theft code on it. I will have to look into the electrical manual a bit further to see what other systems would affect fuel delivery. When I did a check to find any CEL codes (this system is OBDI) the SRS light kept blinking at a steady rate continuously.[/quote

Go here if you can't solve it..]http://honda-tech.com

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2017, 04:49:01 PM »

Zombie thread revived!

I think I found the source of the problems with the fuel pump not priming and the engine turning over but not igniting.
Things started leading me more towards a possibly fried ECU even though it was not giving off a code zero. So I popped off the ECU and checked the top of the board and above it looked a little black near a 35V 220mfd electrolytic cap and when I took the bottom plate off the board underneath was bad charred and it looks like the cap took out some nearby traces with it.
I'll take a pic or two and upload for all to see but it looks like I will need to buy another ECU off Ebay unless anyone has a spare ECU for a 94 SOHC VTEC Del Sol lying around.

Fingers crossed...

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2017, 12:39:05 PM »

Got the replacement ecu off fleabay and they recommend on Phearable to replace all electrolytic caps since this is a 20+ year old car.
Ordered two sets of caps for the board from Digi Key and I am waiting for it all to arrive!

I did realize my ecu had some extra chips on it compared to the normal ecu board for this car so it appears some tinkering was done by the PO.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2017, 06:26:13 AM »

Looks like a new ECU was the fix!
After a power up and down or two and draining the old gas and putting in new it fired up just fine and went to idle after warming up.
I then pulled the new to me ECU out so I can swap out the old caps for new ones and I will take it out for the first voyage in about a year!

Woo Hoo!

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2017, 11:05:10 AM »

Update on the previous update.

Got the car running OK after swapping out the ECU and there were a few things I needed to do to get her roadworthy again for commuting to work. Finally got those items done which included new rotors and brake pads for the front and a new O2 sensor for the heater problem on the 41 trouble code. The damned sensor was seized in the exhaust manifold so it meant I needed to buy a new manifold to put the damned sensor in!

Bought a Chinese knockoff Honda HIM/HDS unit so I could read all codes on Honda vehicles (wife has an Acura TL) but couldn't get it to work on my car (people recommended running an older version of HDS than I had but I can read codes without the unit and it is OBDI so it doesn't really matter.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2017, 11:14:43 AM »

Friday the 13th Zombie Thread.

Tl:Dr

IT LIVES!!! IT LIVES!!! MUWHAHAHAHAHA

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2017, 12:22:24 PM »

Eh, I figured some were on pins and needles to know if I got the CR-X (del sol) to run again so I wanted to make sure that itch was scratched.
I forgot how much I liked driving this car... if only it was rear wheel drive is my only gripe! Well, that and the leaky targa roof.

Zombieeeeee!!

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2017, 11:59:15 AM »

I had a CRX (not del sol) and it was fun to drive. But I’ve hated fry wheel drive ever since.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2017, 02:30:27 PM »

Yeah, in countries besides the US I think they called it a CRX or a CRX del sol. Here it was just the Civic Del Sol.

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2017, 07:10:00 AM »

My CRX was a hatchback...

The Del Sol had a removable top [Sol = sun]

News:

Author Topic: '94 Del Sol not catching fire, help! Update!! (Read 3964 times)

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