yep, i'm a auto-computer noob alright... i'm used to the pre-computer cars, lol... i drove and '03 jeep for a while but it was so new i never worked with it... i sold that gas-guzzler right before gas prices shot up earlier this year(just lucky i did that), and bought this civic.

i can't say i disagree with you on this. the only wiring prob i've noticed is that the neg battery terminal wire has some melted shielding about 4 inches from the post. the cable is very stiff and could not have possibly contacted the chassy, although it's been humid enough here lately-- it could possibly have arched from the open wire to the chassy or underside of the hood.

the other interesting thing about this is that over the last few days when i get out of the car and touch the door, i get a little shock. this never happened before this whole issue started.

the alternator fuse under the dash is good as well as a number of other fuses i checked. i think i'll just try resetting the ecm like you said.