Engine Controls - Basic Testing - Except Gs-R Acura Integra III

INTRODUCTION

The following diagnostic steps will help prevent overlooking a simple problem. This is also where to begin diagnosis for a no-start condition.

The first step in diagnosing any driveability problem is verifying the customer's complaint with a test drive under the conditions the problem reportedly occurred.

Before entering self-diagnostics, perform a careful and complete visual inspection. Most engine control problems result from mechanical breakdowns, poor electrical connections, or damaged/misrouted vacuum hoses. Before condemning the computerized system, perform each test listed in this article.

Note. Perform all voltage tests with a Digital Volt-Ohmmeter (DVOM) with a minimum 10-megohm input impedance, unless stated otherwise in test procedure.

VISUAL INSPECTION

Visually inspect all electrical wiring, looking for chafed, stretched, cut, or pinched wiring. Ensure electrical connectors fit tightly and are not corroded. Ensure vacuum hoses are properly routed and are not pinched or cut. See the VACUUM DIAGRAMS - EXCEPT GS-R article to verify routing and connections (if necessary). Inspect air induction system for possible vacuum leaks.

Compression

Test engine mechanical condition with a compression gauge, vacuum gauge, or an engine analyzer. See engine analyzer manual for specific instructions.

ENGINE COMPRESSION

ENGINE COMPRESSION (1)

Exhaust System Backpressure

The exhaust system can be tested with a vacuum or pressure gauge. If using a pressure gauge, remove HO2S or air injection check valve (if equipped). Connect a 0-5 psi pressure gauge and run engine at 2500 RPM. If exhaust system backpressure is greater than 2 psi, exhaust system or catalytic converter is plugged.

If using a vacuum gauge, connect vacuum gauge hose to intake manifold vacuum port. Start engine. Observe vacuum gauge. Open throttle part way and hold steady. If vacuum gauge indication slowly drops after stabilizing, inspect exhaust system for restriction.

FUEL SYSTEM

FUEL PRESSURE

Basic diagnosis of fuel system should begin with determining fuel system pressure.

Note. Before disconnecting battery cable, obtain activation code to reset anti-theft radio and presets (if equipped).

Relieving Fuel Pressure

Remove negative battery cable. Loosen fuel tank filler cap. Place clean shop rag around fuel filter. While holding 12-mm banjo bolt, slowly loosen 6-mm service bolt (if equipped) on top of fuel filter one complete turn to relieve system pressure. Hold fuel filter and loosen 12-mm banjo bolt if not equipped with 6-mm service bolt. Always replace washer under metric bolt after removing. When fuel pressure is released, tighten 6-mm service bolt to 9 ft. lbs. (12 N.m) or 12-mm banjo bolt to 25 ft. lbs. (34 N.m).

Pressure Testing

1. Relieve fuel pressure. See «RELIEVING FUEL PRESSURE»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-controls-basic-testing-except-gs-r__relieving-fuel-pressure) . Connect Fuel Pressure Gauge (07406-0040001 ) at service/banjo bolt location. Reconnect negative battery cable. Start engine and allow to idle. Disconnect and plug fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose. Observe fuel pressure on gauge. See «REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-controls-basic-testing-except-gs-r) . If vehicle will not start, turn ignition switch on, wait 2 seconds, turn ignition off and then back on and observe fuel pressure.
2. Ensure manifold vacuum is present at fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose. Reconnect fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose with engine at idle. Observe fuel pressure on gauge. See «REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-controls-basic-testing-except-gs-r) . If fuel pressure is not as specified, check fuel pump. See «FUEL PUMP»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-controls-basic-testing-except-gs-r__fuel-pump) . If fuel pump is okay, go to next step.
3. If fuel pressure is higher than specified, check for pinched or clogged fuel return hose and line between fuel rail and fuel tank. If fuel return hose and line are okay, check fuel pressure regulator. Repair as necessary. Ensure system is operating properly.
4. If fuel pressure is lower than specified, check for plugged fuel filter, faulty fuel pressure regulator or leakage in fuel line. Repair as necessary. Ensure system is operating properly. REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE (1) Application At Idle W/O Vacuum psi (kg/cm 2 ) At Idle W/ Vacuum psi (kg/cm 2 ) Integra 40-47 (2.8-3.3) 31-36 (2.2-2.5) (1) Pressure measured at fuel filter with vacuum hose connected or disconnected from fuel pressure regulator.

FUEL PUMP

1. Remove fuel tank filler cap. Listen for fuel pump operation noise at fuel tank filler. Fuel pump should operate for 2 seconds after ignition switch is turned on. If fuel pump operates as specified, fuel pump is okay. If fuel pump does not operate as specified, go to next step.
2. Turn ignition switch off. Remove rear seat or trunk floor to gain access to fuel pump connector. Disconnect fuel pump connector. Disconnect PGM-FI main relay connector. Connect a fused jumper wire between PGM-FI main relay connector FUEL PUMP fuse side terminal and fuel pump side terminal. See the «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/wiring-diagrams-engine-performance/#wiring-diagrams) article.
3. Turn ignition switch on. Using a voltmeter connected to ground, check for battery voltage at fuel pump harness side connector. See the «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/wiring-diagrams-engine-performance/#wiring-diagrams) article. If battery voltage is not present, check harness between fuel pump and FUEL PUMP fuse. Repair as necessary. If battery voltage is present, check fuel pump ground. Repair as necessary. If ground is okay, replace fuel pump.

PGM-FI MAIN RELAY

Note. If engine starts and continues to operate, PGM-FI main relay is okay.

Scheme 33

1. Remove PGM-FI relay, located under left side of instrument panel. Connect battery voltage to relay terminal No. 2. Connect terminal No. 1 to ground. (Scheme 33)
2. Test for continuity between relay terminals No. 4 and No. 5. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, replace relay.
3. Connect battery voltage to relay terminal No. 5. Connect terminal No. 3 to ground. Test for continuity between relay terminals No. 6 and No. 7. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, replace relay.
4. Connect battery voltage to terminal No. 6. Connect terminal No. 1 to ground. Test for continuity between relay terminals No. 4 and No. 5. If continuity exists, relay is okay. If continuity does not exist, replace relay.

IGNITION CHECKS

Note. Before testing ignition system, check for DTCs stored in PCM memory. See TESTS W/CODES - EXCEPT GS-R article.

Spark Check

1. Crank engine. Using a high output spark tester, test for a strong Blue spark at each secondary ignition plug wire. If spark is not as described, go to next step.
2. Verify resistance of each spark plug wire is not more than 25,000 ohms at 68°F (20°C). Check inside distributor cap and rotor for rough or pitted terminals. Check distributor cap for cracks, wear, and damage. Repair or replace as necessary.
3. Disconnect and inspect all related ignition system connectors and harness. Clean or repair as necessary, and recheck spark. If strong Blue spark is still not present, go to «IGNITION CONTROL MODULE INPUT TEST»(/acura/integra/iii-1993-2001/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-controls-basic-testing-except-gs-r__ignition-control-module-input-test) .

Ignition Control Module Input Test

1. Turn ignition off. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Disconnect Black/Yellow, White/Blue, Yellow/Green, and Blue wires from Ignition Control Module (ICM). Turn ignition on. Check for battery voltage between ICM Black/Yellow wire and ground. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check for an open in Black/Yellow wire between ignition switch and ignitor wiring harness connector.
2. Turn ignition on. Check for battery voltage between ICM White/Blue wire and ground. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check for an open in White/Blue wire and ignition coil. If White/Blue wire is okay, substitute a known-good ignition coil.
3. Turn ignition switch off. Disconnect PCM 32-pin harness connector. Check for continuity in Yellow/Green wire between PCM harness connector and ICM. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Yellow/Green wire.
4. Check for continuity between Yellow/Green wire and ground. If continuity does not exist, go to next step. If continuity exists, repair short to ground in Yellow/Green wire.
5. Connect PCM 32-pin harness connector. Disconnect instrument cluster 13-pin harness connector, Transmission Control Module (TCM) 26-pin harness connector, and cruise control 14-pin harness connector. Check for continuity in Blue wire between ICM and tachometer. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Blue wire.
6. Check for continuity between Blue wire and ground. If continuity exists, repair short to ground. If continuity does not exist, wiring is okay. Replace ICM.

Scheme 34

1. Turn ignition off. Remove distributor cap. Remove screws and disconnect Black/Yellow and White/Blue wires from coil. Measure primary winding resistance between primary terminals "A+" and "B-" on ignition coil. (Scheme 34) Resistance should be.6-.8 ohm at 68°F (20°C).
2. Measure secondary winding resistance between coil terminal "A+" and secondary terminal (coil tower). Resistance should be 12,800-19,200 ohms at 68°F (20°C). Replace coil if resistance is not within specifications.

IDLE SPEED

Ensure idle speed is set to specification. See IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS. For adjustment procedures, see the ADJUSTMENTS - EXCEPT GS-R article.

IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS

FAST IDLE SPEED

FAST IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS

IGNITION TIMING

Ensure ignition timing is set to specification. See IGNITION TIMING . For adjustment procedures, see the ADJUSTMENTS - EXCEPT GS-R article.

IGNITION TIMING (1) (Degrees BTDC - RED MARK @ RPM)

SUMMARY

If no faults were found while performing BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, proceed to the TESTS W/CODES - EXCEPT GS-R article. If no hard codes are found in self-diagnostics, proceed to the TESTS W/O CODES - EXCEPT GS-R article for diagnosis by symptom (i.e., ROUGH IDLE, NO START, etc.) or intermittent diagnostic procedures.

See also:
• WIRING DIAGRAMS
• TESTS W/CODES - EXCEPT GS-R
• ADJUSTMENTS - EXCEPT GS-R
• TESTS W/O CODES - EXCEPT GS-R
• RELIEVING FUEL PRESSURE
• REGULATED FUEL PRESSURE
• FUEL PUMP
• IGNITION CONTROL MODULE INPUT TEST