engine sensors/ecu problems!!!

I've recently bought a non running 1991 EG ESi auto for the grand sum of £50! Couldn't resist it as it only has 54k miles and hardly any of the usual eg rust!
Unsure what i'm going to do with it at the moment, but the first thing i want to do is get it running, then i can mot and tax it. Once its fixed i'll either sell it, or keep it as a runabout.



Anyway.. the 'non running' part..

When I start the car everything is fine for about 5 seconds, then the engine managment light comes on and it simply cuts out.
If the revs are held above 1500rpm it doesnt cut out and sounds like its running normally, but the engine managment light still comes on after a few seconds. If the revs are allowed to drop below 1500 it will cut out. When i allow the revs to reduce to around 1200-1500, it begins to die and the rev needle drops to 0rpm straight away, as if the ecu is anticipating the stall, but then if I give it some gas before the revs drop too low it will pick up again.



I then checked the obd ecu codes, and it is throwing up three different codes, and they are - 3, 8, and 15. (BTW, the engine code is D16Z6)

3 - MAP sensor/circuit
8 - TDC sensor/circuit
15 - Ignition Output Signal



I unplugged the map sensor and it made no difference to the running of the car (same as above), so it that definatly dead??

So if the map sensor isn't worlking, would that induce the other sensors to show fault, or are the other sensors/circuits more likely to be at fault?

Its already had a brand new distributor, which has made no difference to the running. (I think the distributor includes the crank angle sensor, tdc sensor and ignition detector doesnt it?!)



Any advice would be appreciated

Personally i would replace the items that could be faulty starting with the cheapest.
seeing as there sensors and cant be that epensive to get id just get them all, even if it isnt them all atleast u have new ones and can be sure they cant fail.

have you re-set the ecu?

and/or even just replace the MAP sensor and it may cure the rest of the problems (8 and 15)

if your gonna chuck the engine, let me know, could do with a 1.6 auto for the shuttle

srf wrote:

have you re-set the ecu?

and/or even just replace the MAP sensor and it may cure the rest of the problems (8 and 15)

good point, i forgot to do that. Hopefully that will clear the 8 and 15 codes and its just the map sensor at fult as the whole dizzy is brand new!

i'll let you all know the results at the weekend!

cheers guys

yeah let us know how it goes

It is fixed, nadgered ECU. Anyone got a P28 laying arround??

ej2coupe wrote:

It is fixed, nadgered ECU. Anyone got a P28 laying arround??

yea, thank fook for that!! i was begining to get worried, especially when fitting a different map sensor made no difference.

i took it for an illegal spin down my road and its ace! gearbox is really nice for a 16 year old automatic!!

Just need to get it taxed and mot'd now, then i can decide what to do with it. thanks for everyones help! woohoooo!

does anyone know for certain if there are any differences in the P28 ecu for auto and manual civics??


Some people say there is, some say there isnt, and the car runs and drives fine on a manual..?

ive got a manual p28 if u need one :-)

not too sure if they are different from auto or not tho!

As far as i know there different.

Could be wrong tho.

x2 ive also heard their different but if it works then just use it

they are different, u can change an auto ecu to manual internally but not sure if u can do it the other way round

^^ thanks for that


after letting it run for 30 mins today, it is now throwing up more error codes but still runs and drives ok.


8 - TDC Sensor/Circuit
20 - Electronic Load Detector (which possibly makes sence if its the wrong ecu..?)


I might aswel wait and get an auto ecu if there is a strong possibility of them differing, so i'll keep a look out for an auto one

just opened up the auto and manual p28 ecu's and their a lot different inside.

The ecu the car came with was not the original so i dont know if it is the right one, and which one I need.


How can i find out which ecu the car was supposed to come with? if i go to honda with the chassis number and pretend to buy one off them, they should know shouldnt they??

Also, are there any specialist breakers that would have the right one?



heres some pics of the differences..
(auto on left, manualon right)

the jumper's just below are configured differently along with the transistor config

cheers for that mate, so its definatly a P28-G51 ecu that i need. Now the hunt begins!

any local specialist breakers that are recommended??