89 DX ALMOST starts - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

drummingpariah · 08-13-2008, 07:47 PM

Well guys, I've finally put the Z on hold for a few hours, and I'm putting some time in with the stock CRX. I've almost accumulated all the parts I need for the MPFI swap, but I want to make sure the car runs before I go through all that extra effort. So, here's what I know:

I bought the car non-running
The battery cranks 14v consistently, and holds a full charge
The main fuse (60a) was blown
I replaced that fuse, and the car gets power
The starter cranks (relatively weakly) but the car doesn't start
I have no gauges
The underdash wiring harness has a few wires spliced IN (none were removed)
I'm not 100% sure I have the underdash wiring harness plugged in correctly... it has two 4prong connectors, and I'm not sure which goes on top or bottom (bottom = fuse-side) of the fuse box
I believe I'm not getting spark, but don't have a plug puller or a spark tester on-hand

So really, I'm looking for any homebrew tests you guys might know of or any way I can glean some more info out of the car.

The ecu flicks once when I turn the key to on, but obviously doesn't throw any codes while it's on START (and it doesn't turn over completely so the engine doesn't run on its own). I want to test compression (no air compressor, and I won't be keeping this block long enough for a leakdown to be worth it), test for spark, and can't come up with a good way to test fuel other than spraying some starter fluid into the throttle body).

It's still set up for DPFI at the moment, and I want to get it running on DPFI before starting the MPFI conversion.

I can make one trip to Kragen tonight, and pick up some basic tools while I'm there. If you have any suggestions, make them soon!

As far as I know, the gauge cluster does not need to be installed to get spark. I'm assuming this is a wiring problem somewhere along the lines, so if anybody has a good diagram of the underdash fusebox (under the steering column) PLEASE post it up so I can double-check my wiring.

Thanks guys. I took a few pictures, but none really show any detail because they were on my phone. Let me know what suggestions you have, and exactly what diagnostic tools you think I should pick up tonight.

clayton · 08-13-2008, 08:04 PM

well you definitely need the spark plug socket. what's a spark tester? just ground the plug to the block & turn it over. battery terminals are REAL cheap if yours look nasty.

drummingpariah · 08-13-2008, 08:11 PM

Mine don't look particularly nasty, and I had just cleaned them.

A spark tester is basically a light that you attach to the end of a plug wire. It lights up if everything's in working order (not including the plug itself).

Fuel pump kicks on, I loosened the outgoing side of the fuel filter and it squirts fuel pretty nicely, so it's safe to say that the two injectors are receiving fuel...

But are they actually spraying? I don't know. I'm digging for a wiring harness diagram that's small enough to be useable.

hndacvcsi · 08-13-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummingpariah

Mine don't look particularly nasty, and I had just cleaned them.

A spark tester is basically a light that you attach to the end of a plug wire. It lights up if everything's in working order (not including the plug itself).

Fuel pump kicks on, I loosened the outgoing side of the fuel filter and it squirts fuel pretty nicely, so it's safe to say that the two injectors are receiving fuel...

But are they actually spraying? I don't know. I'm digging for a wiring harness diagram that's small enough to be useable.

fuck a spark tester jam a flat-head down the tube wear a glove of course and crank it up. if it makes a spark you gots fire yo

hndacvcsi · 08-13-2008, 09:17 PM

Holy shit, i think im gonna shit myself, as Autozone.com was actually useful for a change.

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Fig. 17: Chassis wiring-1988-89 Civic/CRX
Fig. 18: Chassis wiring-1988-89 Civic/CRX
Fig. 20: Engine wiring-1988-91 CRX (Std.), Wagon (DX), Sedan (DX, LX) and Hatchback (Std. and DX)

check these out for a very understandable wiring chart. hope it helps heee!!!