88 Rex wont start, kickin my A$$ ???

[bbrianr]

I have done a search and have come up with little that is helpfull.
I have a 88CRX HF 1.5 that will not start.
Using a complete schematic, I have tried to figure this out and now I am looking to you guys for suggestions.

So Far:
Completely rebuilt 1.5 HF motor myself(I have rebuilt many-o-engines in my time), and dropped it in.
- The engine turns over with the starter, but no run
- I have no power to the fuel pump and about half of my fuses don't have any power.
- The main relay has been pulled and checked, with everything looking good, but replaced the main relay anyways.
- No signal or flashing LED's on the ECU.
- The schematics that I have acess to are detailed and specific to my vehicle, but don't match the wire color codes.
- I have no spark, probably due that the computer is not sending the signal to the Dizzy.
- New Dizzy about 2,000 mile ago.
- I verified the ignition switch is working correctly and it is connected to the fuse box.

The few connectors on the engine that I unpluged during the engine rebuild are good. I made sure that the TPS, MAP, Oil Pressure sending unit, temp sending unit, coolant sensor, distributor(both plugs), Injector harness, and alternator are plugged in correctly.

During the first start, the engine would not even turn over. I pulled the starter and found it shorted at the solonoid. It was TOAST!. I put in a new started and now I have then engine turning, but I think the bad starter created a Dead Short and killed something, but I don't know what.

I am at a loss, and this is kicking my A$$. any suggestions would be helpful. I am considering changing the ECU but the price is spendy and I am not sure that is the problem.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian

[crxlvr]

id say ecu is gone.

[Jmunk]

Bad ECU.

[EF You]

another thing to check before you buy a new ECU, check the engine harness ground strap. its mounted on the thermostat housing. if its loose at all, you wont start.

[FourthGenHatch]

Have you check your grounds? Bad grounds can make your car do all kinds of crazy things. When I did my battery in the trunk thing the car wouldn't start the next day. The lights on the cluster would flash like a fucking disco or something, it was crazy. I check the grounds and replaced the starter then it worked.

[bbrianr]

You Guys Rock!!!
I didn't think about all the little ground wires. After reading the replys, I remebered that the ground wire on the thermostat housing was not hooked up. I though nothing of it before, but after connecting it, the engine fired to life

:smoker2:

Thanks for all the help.
I think you guys might find the Safety cage I installed last year interesting. It is overkill, but I figure that if I am going to "Drive a Beer Can, I might as well fill it with sand"
8 Point 2" .120 DOM.
All in a Rex that is only 65HP

[bbrianr]

another cage pic

Thanks again

[EF You]

dont feel bad, i wouldnt have mentioned it if i hadnt done it before.

[jeef]

great to hear your got her running... heh and the cage in an hf is kinda funny hehe but its a great lookin cage

[crxlvr]

thats a sweet ass cage, how much something like that run ya?

[bbrianr]

Originally posted by crxlvr
thats a sweet ass cage, how much something like that run ya?

I ran a shop for several years building toyota Landcruiser 4x4's I have my own tube bender(that cost me $5,000), so I built the cage myself.
I had the tubing sitting around from other jobs, and I decided one weekend to play. It took me about 6 hours to make/install the cage. It is completely welded in and not removeable without cutting up the cage.
Total $ in cage= $ 150 in tubing.

Thanks again guys....
Brian

[FourthGenHatch]

Originally posted by bbrianr
You Guys Rock!!!
I didn't think about all the little ground wires. After reading the replys, I remebered that the ground wire on the thermostat housing was not hooked up. I though nothing of it before, but after connecting it, the engine fired to life

Yeah I figured it was therm ground because that is sort of out of sight and easily forgotten about.

[bbrianr]

So now I have some unusual symptoms.

Idle is jumping from 900RPM to 1500RPM fast. in 1 Second intervals. (Up,Down, up, down)
I am suspicious of the TPS, but cannot find any info on the Pinouts and desired idle voltage. I have a spare Idle Air solonoid that I swapped on and no difference in the jumping idle.


Does anyone have the pinout of the TPS and a good way to check if it is sending the proper voltage at idle?

I also have some massive crankcase vacuum. If you pull the oil fill cap off, there is lots of vacuum in the valvecover area. I broke one of the legs on the crankcase vent on the back of the engine, and replaced it with a piece of tubing. I will check that later today.

Brian