Need help on this guys. My engine was knocking so I replaced it with another engine I had. I took out the trany and engine and full wiring harness as one unit and separated the tranny on the floor and swapped the engine and I used my old wiring harness. But after installing engine and hooking everything up, first try nothing happened. Checked all fuses or connectors, all good. No after market alarm installed. Somehow the power is grounded somewhere. I took out every connoctor one at a time and still no difference. Still power in whole car, body, engine . Replaced my ignition switch as it was already giving me problem sometimes but no difference. Any one else came across this?

Is the new engine, transmission, and wiring harness exactly the same as the old? If not, there may be an ECM compatibility problem. Also, make sure you reconnected the main ECM ground to the thermostat housing--be sure to clean the connector.

Verify that the CEL comes on for 2 seconds and then goes out, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II).

It's same harness and tranny just engine swapped. What's cel? And I don't see engine light come on when I turn key on. No crank. Just nothing.



Is the new engine, transmission, and wiring harness exactly the same as the old? If not, there may be an ECM compatibility problem. Also, make sure you reconnected the main ECM ground to the thermostat housing--be sure to clean the connector.

Verify that the CEL comes on for 2 seconds and then goes out, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II).

CEL = Check Engine Light.

Are you saying the starter motor does not crank the engine, when you turn the ignition switch to Start?

When you turn the ignition switch to ON (Position II), does the Check Engine Light (CEL) come on and then go off after 2 seconds? If not, the problem is with the ACG (ALT) (S) fuse, in the under dash fuse/relay box; ECM (perform the K-Test); main relay; or the ignition switch. Perform tests in that order.

No engine light no. And ground to thermostat is OK also



CEL = Check Engine Light.

Make sure the ACG (ALT) (S) fuse is not missing from the slot, in the U/D fuse box, and that it is good. This is a crucial fuse! It may be located near the SRS fuses. Be very thorough and check all U/H and U/D fuses with a test light or multimeter.

Since the starter motor and the CEL don't work, it may be something as simple as a bad ignition switch.

Ok I will try that tomoro morning. Thanks for answering , ill let u know what happens.


Make sure the ACG (ALT) (S) fuse is not missing from the slot, in the U/D fuse box, and that it is good. This is a crucial fuse! It may be located near the SRS fuses. Be very thorough and check all U/H and U/D fuses with a test light or multimeter.

Also why would there be power grounded to the engine or body?


Make sure the ACG (ALT) (S) fuse is not missing from the slot, in the U/D fuse box, and that it is good. This is a crucial fuse! It may be located near the SRS fuses. Be very thorough and check all U/H and U/D fuses with a test light or multimeter.

Since the starter motor and the CEL don't work, it may be something as simple as a bad ignition switch.

I'm not sure what you're asking--all modern-day vehicles are grounded (-) through the body/frame, engine, and transmission.

With positive terminal connected to battery and negative terminal off the battery, and I put my test light to battery post and test light to engine block, it lights up. Is any wire touching somewhere you think? It's not suppose to have power to the those body or engine block .


I'm not sure what you're asking--all modern-day vehicles are grounded (-) through the body/frame, engine, and transmission.

Also I meant + power is throughout the whole car when key turned on.

With positive terminal connected to battery and negitive terminal off the battery, and I put my test light to battery post and test light to engine block, it lights up. Is any wire touching somewhere you think? It's not suppose to have power to the those body or engine block .

Did you install a 51R battery? On Hondas, the battery terminals are reversed.

Battery is the same as before.
Did you install a 51R battery? On Hondas, the battery terminals are reversed.

I took out the engine with harness in it and I'm still getting power + in the body. Something gets triggered when the key is turned on and it grounds the power to body. I have video on my iPhone if you want me to send to your email let me know.

Did you maybe pinch a wire somewhere when you installed the engine?

Nini took the engine and harness out and checked the harness . All OK. The body has power even without the engine harness connected . I thought it would be a wire also but everything seems OK except still power in body.
Did you maybe pinch a wire somewhere when you installed the engine?

My stupid autocorrections on iPhone. I meant no I took the engine ***
Nini took the engine and harness out and checked the harness . All ok. The body has power even without the engine harness connected . I thought it would be a wire also but everything seems ok except still power in body.