'93 Accord Cruise Control ECU; which years?

Discussion in 'Accord' started by scube, Mar 22, 2006.

  1. scube

    scube Guest

    My Honda Accord is a 1993 with manual transmission. I have a problem
    with my cruise control and have narrowed the issue down to the ECU. I
    have a question here...

    I was wondering what years and model Honda vehicles can I use the
    cruise control ECU from to put into my Accord?

    Thanks for any advice/information!!
     
    scube, Mar 22, 2006
    #1
  2. scube

    jim beam Guest

    ok, so for the benefit of the group, talk us through your diagnosis and
    how you concluded it was the ecu.
     
    jim beam, Mar 22, 2006
    #2
  3. scube

    jim beam Guest

    ok, so for the benefit of the group, talk us through your diagnosis and
    how you concluded it was the ecu.
     
    jim beam, Mar 22, 2006
    #3
  4. scube

    Bob Guest


    For my knowledge, where is the ECU?

    Thanks
     
    Bob, Mar 22, 2006
    #4
  5. scube

    scube Guest

    Hmmm,
    well, first off the cruise control ECU (in a LHD car -left hand
    drive) is to the left of the steering column blocking the main relay.

    As far as my troubleshooting goes, I guess I'm not yet there after
    all, at least not 100%. I browsed around the internet for a
    replacement cruise control ECU and the one's I found were "good" for
    1990-1993 models. Going on this information I used my 1991 Accord
    manual for the cruise control diagnostics and followed the steps.
    There is a table for each wire going into the control unit and I
    checked them all for either voltage or continuity to GND and almost
    everything checks out. However, I found some interesting things that
    I'm having a hard time explaining. If anyone can help that would be
    great.
    I have the cruise control diagnostics for a 1990-1991 and a 1994
    Accord. The only differences between the '91 and the '94 are 1) an
    extra wire is used on the '91 model which supplies voltage to the ECU
    when the engine is running, and 2) the '91 model has continuity to GND
    when the clutch is PRESSED and the '94 model has continuity when the
    clutch is NOT PRESSED.

    My '93 however has a hole in the clutch where the push-button clutch
    switch goes right through. It makes no sense that this hole is there,
    so I'm guessing there was a stopper of sorts that must have fallen out.
    I plugged it with a screw and when released (NOT PRESSED) I get
    continuity, which is against what the '91 diagnostics say I should be
    reading.
    I must be mistaken that other model Accords have the same ECU, but I
    don't know which to go on as I am missing my '93 manual. I tried both
    states and neither fixed my cruise control problem. I checked the
    diaphram on the actuator and the solenoid relays and they all check out
    operational.
    Also, for an Automatic car, this clutch wire is used for the same
    purpose (can't engage cruise when not in the proper gear: 2, D3, D2).
    So, I'm curious, as there is no difference in the troubleshooting, if
    an Automatic ECU can be swapped for a Manual ECU.

    Can anyone verify the output of the clutch switch when it is PRESSED
    and NOT PRESSED for a 1993 Accord? I don't see another switch on the
    clutch, so I'm curious if this switch also performs the start-check
    which does not allow the car to start unless the clutch is in. Any
    help or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
    scube, Mar 23, 2006
    #5
  6. scube

    scube Guest

    Hmmm,
    well, first off the cruise control ECU (in a LHD car -left hand
    drive) is to the left of the steering column blocking the main relay.

    As far as my troubleshooting goes, I guess I'm not yet there after
    all, at least not 100%. I browsed around the internet for a
    replacement cruise control ECU and the one's I found were "good" for
    1990-1993 models. Going on this information I used my 1991 Accord
    manual for the cruise control diagnostics and followed the steps.
    There is a table for each wire going into the control unit and I
    checked them all for either voltage or continuity to GND and almost
    everything checks out. However, I found some interesting things that
    I'm having a hard time explaining. If anyone can help that would be
    great.
    I have the cruise control diagnostics for a 1990-1991 and a 1994
    Accord. The only differences between the '91 and the '94 are 1) an
    extra wire is used on the '91 model which supplies voltage to the ECU
    when the engine is running, and 2) the '91 model has continuity to GND
    when the clutch is PRESSED and the '94 model has continuity when the
    clutch is NOT PRESSED.

    My '93 however has a hole in the clutch where the push-button clutch
    switch goes right through. It makes no sense that this hole is there,
    so I'm guessing there was a stopper of sorts that must have fallen out.
    I plugged it with a screw and when released (NOT PRESSED) I get
    continuity, which is against what the '91 diagnostics say I should be
    reading.
    I must be mistaken that other model Accords have the same ECU, but I
    don't know which to go on as I am missing my '93 manual. I tried both
    states and neither fixed my cruise control problem. I checked the
    diaphram on the actuator and the solenoid relays and they all check out
    operational.
    Also, for an Automatic car, this clutch wire is used for the same
    purpose (can't engage cruise when not in the proper gear: 2, D3, D2).
    So, I'm curious, as there is no difference in the troubleshooting, if
    an Automatic ECU can be swapped for a Manual ECU.

    Can anyone verify the output of the clutch switch when it is PRESSED
    and NOT PRESSED for a 1993 Accord? I don't see another switch on the
    clutch, so I'm curious if this switch also performs the start-check
    which does not allow the car to start unless the clutch is in. Any
    help or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
    scube, Mar 23, 2006
    #6
  7. According to the Helm manual for the '93 Accord, the switch is closed (pins
    B-C) when the pedal is up and is open when the pedal is depressed. The
    switch for the cruise control is the upper switch, the one mounted
    horizontally. The lower, angled switch is for the starter interlock.
    (According to the picture.)

    Look around under the mat or carpet for the plug. My Nissan had one of those
    for the brake lights that fell out. It looked like a phenolic mushroom. If
    it is missing I'm sure the cruise control won't engage.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Mar 23, 2006
    #7
  8. According to the Helm manual for the '93 Accord, the switch is closed (pins
    B-C) when the pedal is up and is open when the pedal is depressed. The
    switch for the cruise control is the upper switch, the one mounted
    horizontally. The lower, angled switch is for the starter interlock.
    (According to the picture.)

    Look around under the mat or carpet for the plug. My Nissan had one of those
    for the brake lights that fell out. It looked like a phenolic mushroom. If
    it is missing I'm sure the cruise control won't engage.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Mar 23, 2006
    #8
  9. scube

    Elle Guest

    You can compare part numbers for different models and years
    using www.hondaautomotiveparts.com or www.slhonda.com .

    I am a little confused about your wording here. There's the
    ECU, short for "Engine Control Unit" or similar that's
    generally located in the passenger side footwell. Short of a
    flood saturating the inside of the car, these rarely fail.

    Do you instead mean the "cruise control actuator"? You'll
    see a drawing of this under "Auto Cruise" at the sites
    above.
     
    Elle, Mar 23, 2006
    #9
  10. scube

    Elle Guest

    You can compare part numbers for different models and years
    using www.hondaautomotiveparts.com or www.slhonda.com .

    I am a little confused about your wording here. There's the
    ECU, short for "Engine Control Unit" or similar that's
    generally located in the passenger side footwell. Short of a
    flood saturating the inside of the car, these rarely fail.

    Do you instead mean the "cruise control actuator"? You'll
    see a drawing of this under "Auto Cruise" at the sites
    above.
     
    Elle, Mar 23, 2006
    #10
  11. scube

    Elle Guest

    Oops. Helps if one reads the whole thread (plus the server
    seems a little whacked and is posting messages out of
    synch).

    My Chilton's manual calls what scube describes the "cruise
    control module" and the "cruise control unit." They appear
    to be the same thing. I am having trouble locating it at
    www.hondaautomotiveparts.com for a manual transmission. The
    "Fuse box-Relay" section seems like the best bet.
     
    Elle, Mar 23, 2006
    #11
  12. scube

    Elle Guest

    Oops. Helps if one reads the whole thread (plus the server
    seems a little whacked and is posting messages out of
    synch).

    My Chilton's manual calls what scube describes the "cruise
    control module" and the "cruise control unit." They appear
    to be the same thing. I am having trouble locating it at
    www.hondaautomotiveparts.com for a manual transmission. The
    "Fuse box-Relay" section seems like the best bet.
     
    Elle, Mar 23, 2006
    #12
  13. scube

    scube Guest

    Hmm,
    well lower angled switch in my car does nothing to the starter
    interlock, meaning I can toggle it w/ not change in if my car starts w/
    clutch pressed or not. The wires coming from the horizontal switch do
    not go to the cruise control either. However, the ones coming from
    the angled switch do goto the cruise control.
    I looked at the diagram for the '91 and it is hard to distinguish
    which switch the arrow is actually pointing to. Another note is that
    this '91 manual says that pins A-B are open when pedal is pushed
    (push-button is out) and closed when released (push-button is in).
    There is no mention of pin C, though it is a three position connector,
    so maybe the manuals refer differently to the pins in question. This
    is how the pinout is for the '91 Accord (lock tab is facing up)
    __||__
    |x B A|
    ~~~~~~
    With the far left terminal not in use. I'm still confused as to
    which switch it is, but deduction tells me it is the lower angled one.
    Any light someone could offer would be appreciated. Thanks for your
    input Michael!!

    I think I've found a problem w/ an intermittent brake switch. I
    pulled it out and it worked, but when I put it back in it would work
    frequently (no problem w/ my brake lights though...??). I'm hoping
    that when I fix these two things my problems will go away, but I rigged
    them up to work and it still didn't.

    Does anyone see a problem w/ using an Automatic cruise control unit
    on a manual? As I stated above the diagnostics are indifferent to
    which style it is, I'm just curious if there is some different
    operation from the Control Unit which would be impacted by the type of
    transmission in the car. It all seems straight forward: The wheel
    rotation is reported to the vehicle's cruise control unit and the
    control unit adjusts the actuator to keep that speed constant. Am I
    missing something?

    Thanks all...
     
    scube, Mar 24, 2006
    #13
  14. scube

    scube Guest

    Hmm,
    well lower angled switch in my car does nothing to the starter
    interlock, meaning I can toggle it w/ not change in if my car starts w/
    clutch pressed or not. The wires coming from the horizontal switch do
    not go to the cruise control either. However, the ones coming from
    the angled switch do goto the cruise control.
    I looked at the diagram for the '91 and it is hard to distinguish
    which switch the arrow is actually pointing to. Another note is that
    this '91 manual says that pins A-B are open when pedal is pushed
    (push-button is out) and closed when released (push-button is in).
    There is no mention of pin C, though it is a three position connector,
    so maybe the manuals refer differently to the pins in question. This
    is how the pinout is for the '91 Accord (lock tab is facing up)
    __||__
    |x B A|
    ~~~~~~
    With the far left terminal not in use. I'm still confused as to
    which switch it is, but deduction tells me it is the lower angled one.
    Any light someone could offer would be appreciated. Thanks for your
    input Michael!!

    I think I've found a problem w/ an intermittent brake switch. I
    pulled it out and it worked, but when I put it back in it would work
    frequently (no problem w/ my brake lights though...??). I'm hoping
    that when I fix these two things my problems will go away, but I rigged
    them up to work and it still didn't.

    Does anyone see a problem w/ using an Automatic cruise control unit
    on a manual? As I stated above the diagnostics are indifferent to
    which style it is, I'm just curious if there is some different
    operation from the Control Unit which would be impacted by the type of
    transmission in the car. It all seems straight forward: The wheel
    rotation is reported to the vehicle's cruise control unit and the
    control unit adjusts the actuator to keep that speed constant. Am I
    missing something?

    Thanks all...
     
    scube, Mar 24, 2006
    #14
  15. scube

    scube Guest

    Ahh, yes! I finally got the cruise control to engage and actually
    affect the velocity of my car!! My results:

    First, the brake switch is faulty. I pulled it apart and fiddled
    with the solder connects. It works now, but I don't know for how long.
    Second, my adventures with my clutch pedal also had an effect on the
    operation. My "pedal pushed" switch was not engaging.... The cruise
    control thought my clutch pedal was always depressed. The pedal was
    missing a stopper and so I plugged the hole w/ a screw.

    From my findings, in my 1993 Accord, the lower angled clutch switch
    is for the cruise control. That was good because it would be a
    mission to get to the other switch!!

    Thanks to you all for your input and questions, this dog will finally
    hunt again!!
     
    scube, Mar 25, 2006
    #15
  16. scube

    scube Guest

    Ahh, yes! I finally got the cruise control to engage and actually
    affect the velocity of my car!! My results:

    First, the brake switch is faulty. I pulled it apart and fiddled
    with the solder connects. It works now, but I don't know for how long.
    Second, my adventures with my clutch pedal also had an effect on the
    operation. My "pedal pushed" switch was not engaging.... The cruise
    control thought my clutch pedal was always depressed. The pedal was
    missing a stopper and so I plugged the hole w/ a screw.

    From my findings, in my 1993 Accord, the lower angled clutch switch
    is for the cruise control. That was good because it would be a
    mission to get to the other switch!!

    Thanks to you all for your input and questions, this dog will finally
    hunt again!!
     
    scube, Mar 25, 2006
    #16
  17. Thanks for the feedback, and congratulations on the triumph!

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Mar 25, 2006
    #17
  18. Thanks for the feedback, and congratulations on the triumph!

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Mar 25, 2006
    #18
  19. scube

    Graham W Guest

    Seconded!
     
    Graham W, Mar 25, 2006
    #19
  20. scube

    Graham W Guest

    Seconded!
     
    Graham W, Mar 25, 2006
    #20
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