Difficulty In Starting - B16

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:27 pm

Hi bros

I need some advice. Let me share the symtoms, it'll be quite a long story.

When we turn the inition key to "ON", the engine check light should go off, follow by a sound from the fuel pump. When it is "ON", the ECU will send signal to the fuel pump thus producing that sound and after all signals are proper, the engine check light goes off.

I have problem starting my car on most days (first start of e day). Initially, the engine starts, but will die off again. I thought it is relating to O2 sensor. I realise, when this happens, I turned the keys to "OFF" position and restart after a few seconds, it will work.

Lately, when I turn the keys to "ON", the sound from fuel pump and engine check light doesn't respond. After a few cranks, the check light goes off and the sound is produced. I can start thereafter.

I asked the battery shop and they checked, confirming it's not battery problem. Today, when I crank the engine, the cranking sound is different. I thought starter is gone. Manage to start after sometime. Sent the car to mechanic and a few things were thought off.

Mechanic checked and said shouldn't be Starter problem, nor is it the Battery problem. He said Distributor and Fuel Pump shouldn't be the problem either. If it was either distributor or fuel pump, the car won't even start or can't drive at all.

Lastly, we are narrowing it down to ECU (circuit board) problem.

Any bros have similar experience? What's your solution? Where can I buy a 2nd hand ECU (circuit board)? How much would it be?

Thank you

Mugen Boi · Post by **Mugen Boi** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:57 pm

not much of a technical person but i would still suspect tat it's battery problem...1st n foremost thing is tat a batt is needed 2 start a car...maybe can trying getting a new batt 2 test...maybe i'm wrong

bugis_kid · Post by **bugis_kid** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:32 am

ecu is a very high possibility.

fuel relay?

ecu should cost $200 to $300 market price.p30 is our correct model .

can get ur workshop to loan u one if they into vtec or get ur friends to swap w/ u .

rx7 · Post by **rx7** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:51 am

Fuel pump or fuel relay. Can be fuel pump not priming due to wires too.

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:59 am

Thank u for e feedbacks and advice bros.

Battery is unlikely (not totally ruled out tho) the problem as the battery power to crank is regular and I had a battery check done last week (initially suspect battery problem). Besides, the battery is 1yr 2 mths old (maintenance free).

Now that you guys mentioned, I will let my mechanic think abt it, if it's worn out wiring that caused e problem, or he could be right, that it is a ECU problem.

Any idea where I can buy an ECU at $200-300? Problem is, my workshop is in JB and he doesn't have a spare ECU to test.. thus I hv to buy n install instead. On the other hand, can a faulty ECU be service/repaired?

Shamie · Post by **Shamie** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:16 pm

KG61 wrote:Thank u for e feedbacks and advice bros.

Battery is unlikely (not totally ruled out tho) the problem as the battery power to crank is regular and I had a battery check done last week (initially suspect battery problem). Besides, the battery is 1yr 2 mths old (maintenance free).

Now that you guys mentioned, I will let my mechanic think abt it, if it's worn out wiring that caused e problem, or he could be right, that it is a ECU problem.

Any idea where I can buy an ECU at $200-300? Problem is, my workshop is in JB and he doesn't have a spare ECU to test.. thus I hv to buy n install instead. On the other hand, can a faulty ECU be service/repaired?

yes can service ecu one. i do help ppl service ecus. drop me a message at 94892865 lor.

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:10 pm

Based on your experience, given the patterns I experienced above, is it ECU problem? I need to get more info before deciding. After servicing, what is e estimate lifespan before I may encounter such problem again?

Shamie · Post by **Shamie** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:22 pm

i have been servicing for outsiders for over a year and none have returned to me. so i cannot advise how long it last as of now. there were some tht couldnt be fixed.

ur case is not very str8 forward. u said u could start then die off. ur fuel pump or fuel pump relay might be making problems. if ur fuel pump relay has dry solder could cause this.

in the morning u turn ur key to ignition ... it doesnt prime? did u wait a few minutes and see if ur fuel pump will prime?

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:00 pm

Yesterday morning, I turn the inition key to "ON" and leave the it there for about 20 seconds before cranking. I repeat that again and the engine light went off on 2nd attempt (engine start after that).

I wonder what would be e issue. Hope to solve it soon. Anyway car is in workshop for now. Mechanic did mention changing a replacement ECU is an easy option and will cost abt RM400 for an ECU.

Shamie · Post by **Shamie** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:58 pm

ic. its your choice to replace. as i mentioned, i do service ecus. if u wanna try me .. as i am low risk. or if u prefer to purchase another ecu .. also . which ever gives u a peace of mind hehehe.
any ways if u decide to find me .. my number is 94892865 and sms pls coz i dun answer calls during werk and i dont login shc often.

fsf · Post by **fsf** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:34 pm

Shamie wrote:ic. its your choice to replace. as i mentioned, i do service ecus. if u wanna try me .. as i am low risk. or if u prefer to purchase another ecu .. also . which ever gives u a peace of mind hehehe.
any ways if u decide to find me .. my number is 94892865 and sms pls coz i dun answer calls during werk and i dont login shc often.

i had my ecu repaired by bro shamie ard march this year. good and cheap.

for my case, after turning to ignition, the CEL light stays on for quite some time before it actually goes off. therefore i cannot start the engine as there is no fuel feed..some days it will take ard 5mins, some cases 1hr? i checked the map sensor readings, fuel pump, fuel pump relay and everything works. so left with only one possibility which is the ecu

luckily now no more ecu problems till now after i sent my ecu for repair. CEL goes off withing 5 secs of turning to ignition....

if your prob is like mine, go for the cheaper option 1st.

highly recommended..

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:36 am

Thank you bros.

I am not ruling it out. I may have it service, or buy a replacement plus service this unit as a standby. My car is not with me currently (in workshop) and will only be back next week. I will get in touch with you again.

maddog220 · Post by **maddog220** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:21 pm

KG61 wrote:Thank you bros.

I am not ruling it out. I may have it service, or buy a replacement plus service this unit as a standby. My car is not with me currently (in workshop) and will only be back next week. I will get in touch with you again.

For diagnostics problem, even with ECU causing the problem, I'm confident that my good friend Vincent from www.riverviewauto.com.sg can assist in trouble-shooting as they are the best & most highly skilled ppl in S'pore, Batam & JB!

KG61 · Post by **KG61** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:30 pm

I have a new problem. ECU was serviced since about 18/09/09.

My RPM is on the high side now. I am sure it is not idling valve issue. Out of 5-8 drive/start, there is a likelihood 1 occassion produces normal RPM (abt 700rpm) while most other times will see the idle RPM at 1500 region.

If it's idling valve, there won't likely be times where RPM is normal.

What could be the problem? It is causing irritation from the RPM noise, plus high fuel consumption.

superkoh · Post by **superkoh** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:34 pm

idle valve! i just change mine recently and it got stucked at 1500 frequently.

damn the mean ass petrol drinking shit