My 2000 Honda Civic HX will not start

Tiny
SYSTEMOFANUP357
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HONDA CIVIC
  • 108,000 MILES
My 2000 Honda Civic HX will not start. I've investigated and found that my FI e/m fuse is popping every time I turn the key to the accessory position. I am fairly certain that there is some sort of electrical short but I cannot pinpoint where it is. There is a badly installed aftermarket cruise control in it that was in when I bought it. It ran well after being bought but on the way home noticed the headlights start to flicker then a bright flash and everything on the car went. I've replaced all the exterior light bulbs ( they were ALL shot afterward ), the alternator, and battery. Also, the SRS fuse is blowing as well. I don't know what to do/try. Help?
Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 10:44 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,761 POSTS
A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
SYSTEMOFANUP357
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So I should plug that into my Fuel Injection fuse slot right? Then from there, what would you suggest I try as far as unplugging?
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,761 POSTS
You listed two different fuses so if we start with the assumption the problems are related I'd look for a wiring harness that fell down onto hot exhaust parts. Next, since we know someone added custom wiring and it's of questionable quality, the common things to look for are wires draped over sharp metal brackets and they've rubbed through the insulation, and wires that flex a lot or can get crushed. Cruise control wires usually include something attached to the brake light switch. That's a good place for them to get hooked on something.

The SRS system is the supplemental restraint system, (air bag). There isn't anything that can draw excessive current other than a short inside the computer or in the power wires going to it. There's nothing you can do to cause a short to occur in the computer so that leaves the two power wires to look at. Replace that blown fuse with the test bulb, then turn on the ignition switch. If the short is present the bulb will be bright. Start by unplugging the computer. Most likely the bulb will still be bright telling you the computer isn't the problem. It's in the wiring, and since that rarely causes a problem, I'd be looking for a cruise control wire that was tapped into one of those for its power source.

You may also get a clue when you wiggle and pull on wire harnesses. If the test bulb stays constantly bright the short is solid as in a wire crushed tightly between two objects or it's a shorted component. If the light flickers you're more likely to find a wire rubbed through and scratching on something metal. In any case the bulb will show you when you're in the right area.
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Monday, April 8th, 2013 AT 12:57 AM

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