Hello, I recently picked up a 94 Integra LS 3-door with one pesky little minor problem, it won't start. I have very little information to go on other than it sat for about a year since it ran last. The previous owner snapped the rotor under the distributor, so that obviously had to be fixed first.

I replaced the rotor, but still no luck. Since the battery was dead when I bought it, I'm assuming that all the CEL codes (if there were any) are gone. I've already been through the trick with the paperclip to retrieve the codes from the ECU.

Here's what I know: after charging the battery, the car will crank but appears to have no spark. I believe the PGM-FI relay is OK because when I turn the key on, I can hear the fuel pump come on, and after holding the pedal to the floor while trying to start, I can smell gas. The plug wires are good, I tested with an ohmmeter. I don't believe I have spark in any cylinder, hooked up a tester individually to each plug wire.

Rather than just buying parts and guessing, any ideas? How do I know if the ECU is good without replacing it? Any idea where I could find the ECU test harness?

 

Try to replace the coil and/or ignitor.

 

I went back and re-read more of the service manual. Sounds like if I crank for at least 20 seconds, the ECU should trap the code for whatever is wrong...

 

OK, I can't get the ECU to register any codes. I verified that when I short out the service connector, the "check engine" light comes on and stays on. When it isn't shorted out, the light comes on for 2 seconds when the key is turned on.

Still, after cranking (several times) for 30 seconds or so, no CEL. I also verified that all the fuses are good (under the dash and under the hood).

What next?

 

The coil and igniter both test out OK according to the service manual, any other ideas out there?

 

Yeah like Pslsnakes said replace the coil & igniter or you can replace the whole distributor. That's what I did a few months ago with my GSR & fired right up. I would also replace your wires & plugs & def. change that oil once running.

 

So far, these components are all tested and verified good:
plug wires
coil
igniter
fuel injectors (resistance within spec and getting voltage, also verified voltage for each injector at the ECU)
PGM-FI relay
fuel pump

I pulled out the ECU and took the covers off. There are no "visible" signs of burning or scorching, but I'm still leaning towards a bad ECU since refuses to log any CEL codes.

 

LS ECU I dont think cost as much as a GSR or Type R. You might can go to a junkyard & get another ECU. Good Luck

 

FYI, a coil and ignitor will still read within spec but be bad, and vise versa. The same thing happened to me. I replaced the coil and the car fired right up on the first crank.