It's ALIVE! (Was 1990 Accord got flooded, won't start)

Thanks to all on this newsgroup for the advice. It took most of the
day for me to get the ECU out; I had to go buy a deep socket set
because the bolts stuck too far out to get at the nut with my regular
set. It's always good to have more tools though. Then once I got the
plate loose I had to unscrew the two boxes from the plate from the
back because I couldn't get the plate out with the boxes attached.
Lots of nasty words passed my lips.

Once that was accomplished I had two boxes with a bunch of wire
modules attached so I pulled out the wire connectors, leaving me with
two metal boxes. Those I took to the junkyard and the nice folks there
(all gathered around a TV watching the World Cup) told me that one was
for the transmission and the other was what I needed.

So I got the ECU for $60 with a money back guarantee, took it home,
plugged the new one and the transmission one back in, put the battery
back (it was charging on a cheapo 12 volt charger since it was just
about dead) and it started right up. I drove it around the block and
then put all the parts back together.

It lives. I think it's time to look for another car though but at
least I can take my time now. Thanks again for the advice.

 

Wonderful! The update is appreciated. And so far, darn right
I feel vindicated, considering those folks insisting the ECU
was probably fine. ;-)

We'll see if any corrosion elsewhere fries this second-hand
ECU that so far is working fine.

 

The ECU could be washed out,and thoroughly dried,perhpas it would work
then.
Also,Hondata might want the ECU for rebuilding into a programmable ECU.

 

The carpet is still wet and it's been 10 days. But it didn't stop
raining for a week so it's only been about two days of sun. I tried
using a blowdryer yesterday but that was fairly ineffectual. I figured
that I needed something to absorb the moisture so I dumped in a bunch
of clumping cat litter. I really have nothing to lose, but I did close
the windows enough so no neighborhood cat would get any ideas. That I
don't need right now.

I'll vacuum it out tonight when I get home with the wet/dry vac and
see how it is. Then I'll go see if I can fit a few bikes in a Honda
Fit and a surfboard on top. Now that the car is running they'll have
to give me something on a trade-in. Or I can sell it to the guys who
sold me the computer. It's probably best not to consider the Accord as
reliable transportation for too much longer.

 

Your creativity is impressive. (I have no idea if the
clumping litter will be effective, though!)

I do not recall seeing reports here that ECUs replaced after
a flood mean the car won't last much longer, or that
flooding in general means the car is going to be toast soon.

Seems to me ECUs are pretty tough. My 91 Civic LX is on its
original. Except for flooding, rarely if ever does anyone
report here that the ECU died and had to be replaced.

 

I'm not concerned about the ECU, just about other stuff.

The first thing I did on this newsgroup was search for flooding. I
found a long post on the need to beware of buying a flooded car
because of New Orleans and such. He went into the problems faced by
flooded cars, including water getting into the transmission and all
sorts of other places.

Now, my car was only in a foot or so of water so I don't think that
too much damage occurred, and it wasn't salt water either. Still, it
sure got in the tailpipe and all over the bottom and floor of the car.
Plus, the car is already rusting in a few places and this isn't going
to help. (all Accords from 90/91 seem to rust in the same places).

It's a strange car. I bought it used, about eight years ago, with very
low mileage, from a Honda dealer who had serviced it. It only has
92,000 now and should be good for much more, but the age and rust is
starting to worry me. I'm concerned that it's going to start needing a
lot of repairs, just because it's getting up there. Maybe I should
hang on to it and see. I can always sell it later as long as it's
moving.