Check Engine Lite Weirdness
gwarrior4u
01-03-2004, 09:51 AM
Hey folks,
I'm having fits with a check engine light that only comes on after extended time running at high rpm's (like 75 or 80 mph on the freeway for 15 or 20 mins. )
History
The car is a 90 CRX DX with a D15B2 engine, about 152k miles. The car threw the timing belt but didn't seem to have any internal damage about a year ago. The timing belt and water pump were replaced and the car seems to run fine, but now if I take it out on the freeway and run it for an extended period of time above about 70 mph, the check engine light comes on and stays on til I turn off the car. If I start it and just run it around town, it never comes on at all. I have read that there is an led that will tell you what the computer is trapping as far as an error, but I haven't yet been able to locate it. Can someone tell me where the bloody computer *is* so I can do that without going to the shop or do you need a code scanner?
Stuff I've tried so far and existing problems..
As I mentioned above, the car threw the timing belt (I got lied to about it being replaced at 120K). The belt has been replaced as has the water pump. The engine had a problem with a sticking open thermostat so that has been replaced. I replaced the 02 sensor, the air filter and the fuel filter. The car uses no oil, gets 35 mpg and starts and runs great, the only indication of a problem is the check engine lite weirdness. The car is in need of new plugs/wires and a valve adjustment, so those are next.
Any other ideas??? Thx
I'm having fits with a check engine light that only comes on after extended time running at high rpm's (like 75 or 80 mph on the freeway for 15 or 20 mins. )
History
The car is a 90 CRX DX with a D15B2 engine, about 152k miles. The car threw the timing belt but didn't seem to have any internal damage about a year ago. The timing belt and water pump were replaced and the car seems to run fine, but now if I take it out on the freeway and run it for an extended period of time above about 70 mph, the check engine light comes on and stays on til I turn off the car. If I start it and just run it around town, it never comes on at all. I have read that there is an led that will tell you what the computer is trapping as far as an error, but I haven't yet been able to locate it. Can someone tell me where the bloody computer *is* so I can do that without going to the shop or do you need a code scanner?
Stuff I've tried so far and existing problems..
As I mentioned above, the car threw the timing belt (I got lied to about it being replaced at 120K). The belt has been replaced as has the water pump. The engine had a problem with a sticking open thermostat so that has been replaced. I replaced the 02 sensor, the air filter and the fuel filter. The car uses no oil, gets 35 mpg and starts and runs great, the only indication of a problem is the check engine lite weirdness. The car is in need of new plugs/wires and a valve adjustment, so those are next.
Any other ideas??? Thx
Killa_CRX
01-03-2004, 11:03 AM
I have read that there is an led that will tell you what the computer is trapping as far as an error, but I haven't yet been able to locate it. Can someone tell me where the bloody computer *is* so I can do that without going to the shop or do you need a code scanner?
The LED light is located on the ECU which is in the passenger side floor board.... just pull the carpet back on the passenger side and look for the little spy glass.
The LED will flash codes at you which can be translated (Translations found Here) (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=1091330&postcount=6)
From my experience, this sounds like you're having a problem with your distributor... same thing used to happen to my DX, until I replaced the distributor entirely... never did take it apart and find out what exactly the problem was, but I was also having problems with ignitors catching on fire and burning up inside the distributor, so it was probably just a short in the wiring.
So check all the wiring inside the distributor and make sure it's nice and tight... no loose ends anywhere... no metal expanding and touching when the engine's running at high temp (such as at hwy speeds for extended periods of time)... and also you might want to check into just getting a new distributor or having yours rebuilt.
The LED light is located on the ECU which is in the passenger side floor board.... just pull the carpet back on the passenger side and look for the little spy glass.
The LED will flash codes at you which can be translated (Translations found Here) (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=1091330&postcount=6)
From my experience, this sounds like you're having a problem with your distributor... same thing used to happen to my DX, until I replaced the distributor entirely... never did take it apart and find out what exactly the problem was, but I was also having problems with ignitors catching on fire and burning up inside the distributor, so it was probably just a short in the wiring.
So check all the wiring inside the distributor and make sure it's nice and tight... no loose ends anywhere... no metal expanding and touching when the engine's running at high temp (such as at hwy speeds for extended periods of time)... and also you might want to check into just getting a new distributor or having yours rebuilt.
streetdreams420
01-03-2004, 01:46 PM
I also had this problem after I did an engine swap, seem to happen when ever I was driving for a while and I went up like a big hill or something it would turn on,checked the ecu and the ecu had no codes flashing, checked all the wiring no problems, finally swaped the dizzy for
one off my 91 light never turned on again.. oh ya also I put the dizzy I took off the 89 onto the 91 and the light has never came on in that car very weird. go to a scrap yard and get another dizzy see if it solves the problem.. just my .02
one off my 91 light never turned on again.. oh ya also I put the dizzy I took off the 89 onto the 91 and the light has never came on in that car very weird. go to a scrap yard and get another dizzy see if it solves the problem.. just my .02
gwarrior4u
01-03-2004, 02:49 PM
Ok. so I took the little car out on the highway with the rug torn up and learned a couple of things ...
The led on the ecu flashes once about every 10 secs or so as soon as I turn on the key (without the engine running) and continues to flash that way throughout the test drive. Is this a normal power on condition for the computer or an indication of error #1? I will try pulling the hazard fuse and see if this goes away, I had the battery disconnected for 8 months while the car was in storage and it did not, so I assume this is a normal thing.
The LED doesn't change behavior when I get the Check Engine light while going down the highway. Startin to smell like the dizzy problem you guys describe so I guess I'm in the market for a new distributor. (All the connections inside it look fine)
Thanks for the help!!!
Scott
The led on the ecu flashes once about every 10 secs or so as soon as I turn on the key (without the engine running) and continues to flash that way throughout the test drive. Is this a normal power on condition for the computer or an indication of error #1? I will try pulling the hazard fuse and see if this goes away, I had the battery disconnected for 8 months while the car was in storage and it did not, so I assume this is a normal thing.
The LED doesn't change behavior when I get the Check Engine light while going down the highway. Startin to smell like the dizzy problem you guys describe so I guess I'm in the market for a new distributor. (All the connections inside it look fine)
Thanks for the help!!!
Scott
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