Engine Controls - Basic Testing: Other Honda Civic V

Compression

1. Check engine mechanical condition using a compression gauge, vacuum gauge, or an engine analyzer. See engine analyzer manual for specific instructions.
2. Check compression pressure with engine at normal operating temperature, all spark plugs removed, throttle valves wide open and at specified cranking speed. Crank engine at least 6 revolutions to determine engine compression. Compression reading should be as specified in «ENGINE COMPRESSION»(ref-15742-S17303132222001010800000) table. CAUTION: DO NOT use ignition switch during compression tests on fuel injected vehicles. Use a remote starter to crank engine. Fuel injectors on many models are triggered by ignition switch during cranking mode, which can create a fire hazard or contaminate the engine's oiling system. ENGINE COMPRESSION (1) Model Standard psi (kg/cm 2 ) Minimum psi (kg/cm 2 ) Minimum RPM Civic & CRX 185 (13.0) 135 (9.5) 250 (1) Maximum variation between cylinders is 28 psi (2.0 kg/cm 2 ).

Exhaust System Backpressure

Exhaust system can be checked with a vacuum or pressure gauge. Remove O2 sensor or air injection check valve (if equipped). Connect a 1-10 psi pressure gauge, and run engine at 2500 RPM. If exhaust system backpressure is greater than 1 3/4-2 psi (.12-.14 kg/cm 2 ), exhaust system or catalytic converter is plugged.

If a vacuum gauge is used, connect vacuum gauge hose to intake manifold vacuum port and start engine. Observe vacuum gauge. Open throttle part way and hold steady. If vacuum gauge reading slowly drops after stabilizing, exhaust system should be checked for a restriction.

FUEL PRESSURE

Relieving Fuel Pressure

Remove negative battery cable. Loosen fuel tank filler cap. Place clean shop rag around fuel filter. Slowly loosen 6-mm bolt on top of fuel filter (one complete turn) to relieve system pressure. Always replace washer under 6-mm bolt after loosening.

Spark

Check for spark at secondary coil wire and each spark plug wire using a spark tester. If spark is not present, continue with following tests. Check spark plug wire resistance on suspect wires. Resistance should be less than 25,000 ohms.

Ignition Coil Power Source

1. On Civic and CRX models, remove distributor cap to check power source directly at coil. (Scheme 19) On all models, disconnect ignition coil primary leads. Turn ignition on. Using voltmeter, check voltage between ground and Black/Yellow wire terminal of ignition coil harness.
2. Battery voltage should be present. If battery voltage is not present, check for open in Black/Yellow wire between coil and ignition switch. On some models, an in-line radio noise condenser (mounted on distributor or near coil) is utilized. If condenser shorts out, power supply will be interrupted and vehicle will not start.

Ignitor Unit

1. Turn ignition off. Remove distributor cap, leak cover and rotor. Disconnect all 4 wires from ignitor unit. (Scheme 18) Turn ignition on. Using DVOM, measure voltage between Black/Yellow wire and good body ground point. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, check for open in Black/Yellow wire between ignitor unit and ignition coil.
2. Using DVOM, measure voltage between White/Blue wire and good body ground point. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, check ignition coil. If ignition coil is okay, check for an open in White/Blue wire between ignitor unit and ignition coil.
3. Turn ignition off. Using DVOM, measure continuity of White wire between ignitor unit and good body ground point. If continuity is present, go to next step. If continuity is not present, check for an open in White wire between ignitor unit and Black 20-pin ECU connector "B" terminals B15 and B17 and repair as required. If White wire is okay, check for poor ground connections.
4. Check continuity of Blue wire between ignitor unit and good body ground point. If continuity is present, replace ignitor unit. If continuity is not present, check for an open in Blue wire between ignitor unit and tachometer (if equipped) or A/T control unit. If Blue wire is okay, check for poor ground connections.

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

1. Turn ignition off. Remove distributor cap. Remove 2 Phillips screws retaining primary ignition leads to ignition coil. Remove primary leads from ignition coil. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance between primary terminals "A" and "B" on ignition coil. (Scheme 19) Resistance should be.6-.8 ohms at room temperature.
2. Check secondary resistance between terminal "A" and secondary output terminal (coil tower) at room temperature. See «IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE»(ref-15742-S36464262352001010800000) table. If readings are not within specification, replace coil. IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE - Ohms@68°F (20°C) Application Primary Secondary Civic & CRX.6-.8 9760-14,640 TIMING CONTROL SENSOR USAGE Application Sensor/System TBI TDC/CRANK Sensor 1.5L & 1.6L (PFI) TDC/CRANK/CYL Sensor

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

1. Timing control and triggering of fuel injectors are based upon input signals from TDC/CRANK/CYL sensors. See «TIMING CONTROL SENSOR USAGE»(ref-15742-S02471065952001010800000) table. These sensors are simple PM (Permanent Magnet) generator pick-up coils.
2. Using a DVOM on low voltage scale (preferably with a bar-graph function), check for a pulsed low-voltage signal at proper ECU harness terminals with engine cranking. (Scheme 21) See «ECU TACH SIGNAL & RESISTANCE TEST TERMINALS»(ref-15742-S24729700322001010800000) table. If a pulsed signal is present, no fault is present. If pulsed signal is not present, check sensor and wiring integrity.
3. To test sensor and wiring integrity, turn ignition off. Disconnect connectors from ECU. Lightly probe appropriate ECU harness terminals to check for proper winding resistance of each sensor. See «ECU TACH SIGNAL & RESISTANCE TEST TERMINALS»(ref-15742-S24729700322001010800000) table. If resistance is within specification, go to step 5). If resistance is not within specification, check resistance of TDC/CRANK/CYL sensor (if equipped) directly at sensor connector. (Scheme 21)or (Scheme 22).
4. If sensor resistance is now within specification, repair opens, shorts or corrosion in wire harness between sensor(s) and ECU. If resistance is not within specification, replace sensor.
5. If resistance values in step 3) were within specification, check for continuity to ground at each ECU sensor terminal. If continuity is present, disconnect sensor(s) and recheck for continuity to ground at ECU sensor terminals. If continuity no longer exists, go to the next step. If continuity to ground is still present, repair short to ground in ECU harness between ECU and sensor(s).
6. If continuity did not exist with sensor disconnected, check for continuity to ground on each sensor connector. (Scheme 21)or (Scheme 22) and «SENSOR RESISTANCE TEST TERMINALS»(ref-15742-S31582595172001010800000) table. If continuity to ground exists, replace sensor. ECU TACH SIGNAL & RESISTANCE TEST TERMINALS Application Terminals Ohms Civic & CRX 1.5L (TBI) CRANK C1 & C2 350-550 TDC C3 & C4 350-550 Civic & CRX 1.5L & 1.6L (PFI) CRANK B10 & B12 350-550 CYL C1 & C2 350-550 TDC C3 & C4 350-550 SENSOR RESISTANCE TEST TERMINALS Application Terminal or Wire Color Civic & CRX 1.5L (TBI) CRANK D & E TDC B & C Civic & CRX 1.5L & 1.6L (PFI) CRANK C & D CYL F & G TDC A & B

IDLE SPEED & IGNITION TIMING

Ensure idle speed and ignition timing are set to specification. For adjustment procedures, see ADJUSTMENTS article in this section.

IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS (1)

IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC@RPM)

SUMMARY

If no faults were found while performing BASIC TESTING , proceed to G - TESTS W/ CODES article in this section. If no hard codes are found in self-diagnostics, proceed to TESTS W/O CODES article in this section for diagnosis by symptom (i.e., ROUGH IDLE, NO-START, etc.), or intermittent diagnosis procedures.