Electrical short. No power to ECU. Honda

[Cris]

I got a 1994 Prelude Si H23A1 and I’m having a problem with an electrical issue. I’ve been trying to solve this problem with no luck. The problem is my distributor went bad and I replaced it, well, I had a mechanic replace it. After that day… This doesn’t happen every time but it does happen often, maybe once a week or more. Normally the Check Engine Light and D4 light (Automatics)is supposed to come on after you turn on the key to the on position, in my case some times it doesn’t. This will cause my car not to start since the ECU isn’t getting power and the fuel pump isn’t priming, but… I have found a way to start it when it does this. As weird as this might sound you can hear a “crackling” noise coming from the wire or wires that come off the distributor. I move that wire, and It gets my ECU power and fuel pump priming. I think this short is frying my Ignition Control Modules. Maybe I just got faulty parts from autozone, anyways, I got a video so you guys can see for yourselves. When I turn the key you can hear the crackling noise coming from the wire, slap on some headphones for better audio. Hopefully many of you will have an idea on what this could be. All grounds seem to be okay. Thanks in advance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSPEyHOFw1s

Topic

[Tom]

Your distributor came from Auto Zone . . . generally, with Honda’s, you would do better to get a used OEM distributor from the junk yard than to use the stuff the parts store sells.

[Bill]

I would return the distributor for a replacement. Better still, return it for a refund and buy an OEM part.

[college man]

Its something either in the distributor/wiring or the connector.
I’m with the group with getting rid of the aftermarket distributor
for an OEM Can the wires be checked in the distributor?

[Cris]

it’s gonna be in the main harness itself since I took of the dizzy and turned the key and still had same symptoms as when it is on

[EricTheCarGuy]

Aftermarket distributors are a known problem on Hondas but I don’t think that’s your problem. The main relay supplies power to the PCM during start up. If that’s not working, it can cause the problem you have.

In addition to that ignition switches are also a known problem on Hondas. I just did a video on this that should come out in the next week or so. The test is to wiggle the key in the ignition while the engine is running. If the engine stalls, replace the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Mind you, you don’t have to replace the entire ignition switch, just the electrical portion if you find this to be a problem.

Finally, Honda’s don’t like aftermarket ignition parts, especially Bosch stuff. Don’t know why, it just is. After you solve this problem I’d recommend putting OE or NGK ignition parts on your engine for best results.

[Author]

Replies