New honda owner.

Dom559

New Member
Hey guys my names dominic from cali and im the proud new owner of a 1996 honda civic DX. With what iv been told is a engine swap from a 2000 acura LS. I got the car to use as a daily driver and commuter for a new job i recently got. Should of found something more stock but for $800 the whole inside was extremely clean and only 125k miles. Its got some issues but im not afraid of a wrench so if i need to find a donor and make it stock again i will.


So these are the issues im having with it, when i bought it we push started it because the ignition didnt work properly. The key turns and functions as it should all accessories come on etc. But when u crank it absolutely nothing happens just nothing. You can put the key in on position and jump the starter with no issues. For now i wired in a temporary push button to start it with ease. Id really like to fix this issue i tried switching out the cheap lock cylinder as the old key looked really worn and it stuck abit but it acts exactly the same.

Another concern i have is the exhaust seems to be all after market and the 02 sensors are just plugged. Should i be concerned? Im not concerned with emissions testing at this time just drivability and dependability.

issue number 3 would be ofcourse theres a cel because the 02 sensors how ever when i try to scan it neither my cheap scanner or my neighbors matco can communicate with the car?

and yet again another issue lol... It idles pretty spratically rmps are up down up down up down. It runs and drives great. Lots of power lots of speed but still can feel engine idling funny. I didnt find any vaccum leaks. theres a couple vacuum porns plugged?
Theres also 3 plugs in engine bay i cant figure out where they. would go ill post pics of those 3 first thing in morning. Also will post any and all pics you guys need to help.

TIA!!!!!!!!!!
 
Last edited:

ctag

fill it with wires!
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
Hi! :welcome: Sounds like a fun project!

jump the starter with no issues.
As in shorting the terminals on the starter motor? That sounds like a bad starter relay to me. May want to replace the cylinder lock as well if it's janky.

issue number 3 would be ofcourse theres a cel because the 02 sensors how ever when i try to scan it neither my cheap scanner or my neighbors matco can communicate with the car?
Have you pulled the blink code? https://www.clubcivic.com/forum/threads/how-to-reading-check-engine-light-cel-with-code-list.53096/
 


Dom559

New Member
ok so im having trouble finding the starter relay. dont see it under hood or under dash neither diagrams on the lids show it?
 


Mr.Baker

Mr. Search
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
Should of found something more stock but for $800 the whole inside was extremely clean!
These "deals" seem to be one sided, where the seller makes out better than the buyer and the buyer ends up spending more time and money on another persons hack job project they couldn't finish.
 

Dom559

New Member
These "deals" seem to be one sided, where the seller makes out better than the buyer and the buyer ends up spending more time and money on another persons hack job project they couldn't finish.
honestly hoping thats not the case but it could be. How ever im okay with that as id like to learn all i can about this era of hondas. I feel if i put a stock exhaust on it would idle alot better with 02 sensors.
The key thing bugs me.. Id really like to get the idle figured out. anyone know why my code reader wouldnt be able to connect to car?
 

Mr.Baker

Mr. Search
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
I feel if i put a stock exhaust on it would idle alot better with 02 sensors.
How do you know the O2 sensors are bad if you can't connect to read the codes?
The ignition and OBD plug issue sound like whoever did the swap, disconnected or never connected something.
 

Dom559

New Member
How do you know the O2 sensors are bad if you can't connect to read the codes?
The ignition and OBD plug issue sound like whoever did the swap, disconnected or never connected something.
as my first post states its got plugs in the 02 sensor bungs. No 02 sensors.. With b18 engine swaps should wiring harness of been swapped ecms etc?
 

Mr.Baker

Mr. Search
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
as my first post states its got plugs in the 02 sensor bungs. No 02 sensors.. With b18 engine swaps should wiring harness of been swapped ecms etc?
Alright, well I did miss that part.
So yes, I would get those installed back in.
As for the ignition, it has power, but for whatever reason, it's not telling the starter to start.
As for the OBD plug, there wouldn't be any reason to touch it, but someone has obviously hacked into it and cut/disconnected something, start tracing wires.
 

civteck

Respected
Registered VIP
Need pics, what ecu, jumper harness, etc.. need more info for further help.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
 

Dom559

New Member
Heres some pics of the engine a couple unplugged wires i found and 2 vaccum ports that have been capped off


20190205_103254.jpg 20190205_103333.jpg 20190205_103330.jpg 20190205_103311.jpg
 

Dom559

New Member
Need pics, what ecu, jumper harness, etc.. need more info for further help.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
if i got pic of ecu can u tell which it is? also how do i find out what jumper harness it has?

Thank you very one for helping
 

ctag

fill it with wires!
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
Post the picture of the ECU (well, maybe you did and it's just not showing up for me).

Those dangling plugs look like whoever installed that air filter forgot the MAP or IAT sensors... Those being missing will make the engine run like crap.
 

Dom559

New Member
Post the picture of the ECU (well, maybe you did and it's just not showing up for me).

Those dangling plugs look like whoever installed that air filter forgot the MAP or IAT sensors... Those being missing will make the engine run like crap.
sorry just got ecu pic i also found a 3rd plug
20190205_113316.jpg 20190205_111148.jpg
 

civteck

Respected
Registered VIP
You have a p75 obd1 ls ecu. Theres prob a jumper harness right at the ecu about 6-8in long, identify that.
The last plug under the air filter with 4 wires is the 02 sensor. The other 2 in your hand where are they located, under the intake manifold or under the intake tube? Does the car have an auto dash in it? As it says P R D 2 1?
The last pic with the hose where does it go to, looks like an evap hose, not needed.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
Edit, i think your map sensor is plugged incorrectly, iv nevet seen the wires come from down low on the harness and its wrapped in elec tape, dont seem right.
 

Dom559

New Member
You have a p75 obd1 ls ecu. Theres prob a jumper harness right at the ecu about 6-8in long, identify that.
The last plug under the air filter with 4 wires is the 02 sensor. The other 2 in your hand where are they located, under the intake manifold or under the intake tube? Does the car have an auto dash in it? As it says P R D 2 1?
The last pic with the hose where does it go to, looks like an evap hose, not needed.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
Edit, i think your map sensor is plugged incorrectly, iv nevet seen the wires come from down low on the harness and its wrapped in elec tape, dont seem right.
No it does not have an auto dash.
the last pic runs the line runs into firewall with the fuel lines probably breather like u stated.
those 2 are under the air filter tub right by the TB.
once i find said wire at ecu what am i doing
 

Dom559

New Member
You have a p75 obd1 ls ecu. Theres prob a jumper harness right at the ecu about 6-8in long, identify that.
The last plug under the air filter with 4 wires is the 02 sensor. The other 2 in your hand where are they located, under the intake manifold or under the intake tube? Does the car have an auto dash in it? As it says P R D 2 1?
The last pic with the hose where does it go to, looks like an evap hose, not needed.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
Edit, i think your map sensor is plugged incorrectly, iv nevet seen the wires come from down low on the harness and its wrapped in elec tape, dont seem right.
should i be looking for a different ECU? I was told the engine came from a 2000 acura LS..
 

civteck

Respected
Registered VIP
The ecu you have is correct for that motor. Dont worry about the charcole vent hose just put aside. Move the carpet from the ecu to expose the harness and take another pic. 1 of the plugs in your hand might be for the map, i dont think you have that right.. we need to see what the harness looks like at the ecu to go forward. Do you have an ohm meter? Need to know whats not hooked up and what might be in an incorrect place.

Sent from my boujea ass phone
 


Top