The saga of getting this TII FC3S started continues. While I was working on diagnosing what I think essentially is a fuel problem, a friend suggested I try pulling the CEL codes from the car to see if it was showing anything wrong. So I followed the instructions from FC3Spro and no CEL came on at all. Not even initially. That got me a little worried so I removed the jumper wire from the diagnosis connector and put the ignition to on again. The other lights came up (hatch, door etc) but no check engine light.

I've got a few things disconnected in the engine bay at the moment, but as far as I'm aware the ECU is still grounded onto the rotor housing (sorry if that's a very bad and inaccurate description - still finding my way around rotaries).

Any ideas what could be causing this? Am really hoping it's not a duff ECU as I could do without needing another one of those. Thanks to anyone who can help me out

 

I suppose it could be the bulb behind the CEL part of the logicon. Build one of the 2-LED testers and try that (link to instructions below). Otherwise, it could be related to the "...few things disconnected in the engine bay...".

http://www.fc3spro.com/TECH/HOWTO/ER...rcuit%20Figure

 

Checked the ECU and it seems to be sending out signals in general. Would make an LED tester but those electrical items are not easy to get hold of here in Okinawa, Japan. Another possibly related point is that the clock on the warning light cluster is also not lighting up. I've checked the fuses and they all seem to be ok.

 

Get down to the ECU, pull the connectors, and verify that you have +12v on the power in connector, and check the ground connection for resistance looking into the harness. Do NOT hook up the ohmmeter to the ECU side, of to the harness while the ECU is connected.

If the CEL is not working, check for codes using the procedures in above posts. Correct any problems causing codes.

With the ECU hooked back up, ignition on but not started, backprobe each pin on the ECU connector one at a time with a voltmeter. Check the voltages on each pin vs. those given in the online FSM. Find and correct the cause of any voltage significantly out of spec (bad sensor, bad wiring to sensor, etc.)

Verify presence of spark on leading plugs.

Verify pulses getting to injector connectors with voltmeter or noid light.

 

OK, I suck. I found out through looking at other threads on here that my CEL wasn't lighting up because I don't actually have one! I think the JDM FC's don't have a CEL, which would explain the lack of a wire on one of the ECU pins.

Well, at least I learned something today.