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ninaswartz · Oct 12, 2011, 01:29 PM

My name is Nina and my 93 honda civic ex won't start when it rains what could it be? Replayed the DISTRIBUTOR and the main fues to the ECU after doing that it was doing fin tell it started raining. We think warter it get to the wires or there is a short somewhere. I just got done with school for veterinary asisstant and now I can't get anywhere to jobs or anything I don't have a lot of money please help my find out what is wrong.
Thank you

TxGreaseMonkey · Oct 12, 2011, 01:39 PM

Based upon your descriptions:

. Clean the main ECM ground, located on the thermostat housing.

. Replace the ECM, if the problem persists. I suspect, then, that the ECM is intermittently failing, which is a common problem on older Hondas. Replacing it will likely solve your problem. Get an exact Honda Part No. match. Shop for price and warranty. Check out eBay, if you must.

ninaswartz · Oct 12, 2011, 04:18 PM

Pulgs are fine see I can put the key in and tern it on but not over you're here the fuel pump relay click and if I just let it sit like that for like 15 to 30 min you will here the fuel pump cut on and the relay click again and it will start.

TxGreaseMonkey · Oct 12, 2011, 06:58 PM

Bump.

ninaswartz · Oct 13, 2011, 12:37 PM

Ok if I do that and it is still doing what els could it be see I have been telling my husband that because the person that had it before me the stuped *** touk all the wather striping of the doors and I washed the car one day and I saw water coming in the car from under the dash and it was driping on to the ECM so that is what I think it is to but my husband wants to try to see if it may be something els because we don't have the money to get a new one. All I now that water is getting in some where and makes the car do this. So say we get a new ECM and it keeps doing it what els can it be.

TxGreaseMonkey · Oct 13, 2011, 01:19 PM

I agree with your analysis--water damaged the ECM. There's no alternative to replacing the ECM; however, there's no point in replacing it if the weatherstriping is not going to be replaced. I know these cars extremely well--tell your husband you can buy a used ECM on eBay for around $125. A remanufactured ECM goes for around $275, depending upon the model. Another option is to go to a salvage yard. Just be sure to remove the old ECM first and get an exact Honda Part No. match. If you replace the ECM, the car will "run like a top."

Have your husband perform the K-Test on the ECM. Then, you will see that the ECM is toast and have confidence in replacing it. There is no alternative to replacing the ECM, unless you sell the car "as is."

The K-Test: Remove the MAP Sensor connector and turn the ignition switch to ON (Position II). Using a multimeter, check for 5 volts going between the MAP Sensor connector's reference wire (+) and ground. As you look at the connector, this is the socket on the right. Really press the black test lead into a cleaned main ECM ground on the thermostat housing. If the voltage is low, it's probably indicating ECM failure. Most failed ECMs will record a fraction of a volt. The K-Test is simple, elegant, and accurate. Many Hondas parked for several years are now back on the road. "The K-Test creates massive value, by providing a low cost solution where one did not previously exist."--TxGM

vahgan · Dec 2, 2011, 09:04 AM

I had the same problem and eventually the ECM failed and I purchased a remanufactured one for about 150. My mechanic replaced it and said the water was getting in and causing the damage also. Could the water be coming from the windshield or the weather stripping. I can't tell so I don't know which to replace. Also I read that you could use dielectric grease to lubricate the weather stripping so it keeps water out. What are the recommendations on this?