91 wouldn't start. Now runs, bizarre though

[bigoldchevytoo]

Okay, thought you'd like to here what happened.
Started with a car that just wouldn't start after shutting it off one day. Checked, no spark. No code from ECU.
Replaced the igniter, no spark.
Got mad, drove my Chevy for a month or more.

Ding - Ding - Round 2
Picked up a distributor from the wrecker, put it in, no spark.
Got mad, left it for 2 weeks and drove my Chevy.

Ding Ding - Round 3.
No spark, no signal from ECU (Still)
Performed coil check, igniter input check - Pass
Changed coil anyway to one from first distributor 'cause it looks better. Put new igniter from Round 1 in newer dist.
Fuse #14 burned out, as predicted by Honda shop manual. hmmmm
Scratch head, drink beer.
Pull main relay, re-solder 3 joints, replace.
No spark, Fuse #14 blows again.
Jump between wires in harness to main relay to run fuel pump, pump works.
Replace fuse 14 again, replace main relay.
Spark. WTF it works?!!!?!?!

What I've learned..........
Never was it mentioned, that I recall reading in any forum, that a bad main relay would prevent spark.
I was under the impression that fuel problems would produce an ECU code, this is not the case in this instance.
Oh well, it runs, just in time for gas to hit $1.06 per litre, ouch.
Thats $4.16 per US gallon for those of you unsure of the conversion.

Cheers, may all your problems produce error codes and the gov't not make it illegal to drink while working on a car.
Gord.

[V-K]

Ahh see, there's your problem, you own a Chevy! The Civic is playing mind games with you because of it.

[g-ride-si]

good thing your other car wasnt a ford or you would've been walking.

[TheSilentChamber]

Chevy > Honda

[turtlecrxsi]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

Chevy > Honda

[TheSilentChamber]

Chevy > Turtle ?

[dfarres]

That was FUNNY

[V-K]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

Chevy > Honda

Beware of the lynch mob :P

[SSJSubgeta]

My Tricycle>chevy...

[91civichatch2571]

Originally Posted by bigoldchevytoo

Scratch head, drink beer, and drove my Chevy.

But to add something actually related to your question, it sounds like you may have had a short in the wires from your harness to your main relay in the fuel pump circuit since thats when it started to get spark. Just a guess, but its possible.

[bigoldchevytoo]

Thanks for the idea to check the wiring from the harness to the pump, if it dies again, I'll have a look at that right away.

As as for those of you bashing my Chev, it's more trustworthy than any Honda I've seen. This is back when they knew how to make a truck. 1978. No Computer, no freaky quirks, just a carb and a dizzy to check and this thing has run through mud and water that my Honda wouldn't have been tall enough to be seen in. Besides, when you live in the great white north, you'd be stuck at home quite often with nothing but a Civic.

[TheSilentChamber]

I'm not sure... But I think you may have ran over a giant metal praying mantis.

[dfarres]

TSC.... You crack me up.
That's the funniest thing i've heard in days.

[nemo_wolf]

Originally Posted by bigoldchevytoo

Besides, when you live in the great white north, you'd be stuck at home quite often with nothing but a Civic.

5th gen civic with a Jeep Wrangler chasis ... Lift it up, throw some mudders on, and you have a honda that can handle most anything your chevy can.

[bigoldchevytoo]

Originally Posted by nemo_wolf

5th gen civic with a Jeep Wrangler chasis ... Lift it up, throw some mudders on, and you have a honda that can handle most anything your chevy can.

Noooo, then you have a Jeep with a Honda taking a piggyback ride to get through the deep stuff :P