I just bought a 94 Accord LX Basket Case.
OK OK, Call me an idiot ... but I do like wiring problems, and I definitely found one.

This vehicle doesn't run. Engine cranks OK.

When the key is turned on, the fuel pump does NOT turn on.

I routinely chased down the fuel pump relay wiring, and ended up at the ECU...

It smelled BURNED. I popped the cover and sure enough... TOAST. Middle of the board
on Connector 'B' Pin 5 I think. Smoked diode and a fire damaged capacitor.
So, I went to my 'Friendly Auto salvage Emporium' to look for a Replacement ECU.
At first, I was going to get an EXACT Replacement 37820-P0B-A50. I researched that number and learned that an A51 was a replacement part for it.
So here comes the confusion: Is it an OBD-II car ? or is it OBD-I ???

This vehicle does NOT have a Diagnostics connector under the Radio / ash tray in the console.
The previous owner suddenly got STUPID when I asked him if the ECU had been changed before. Says " he doesn't know" ...

My plan is to take pictures of my harness connectors, and go to the junk yard, and examine any other 94 accords I can find, and get the ECU from a similar wired vehicle.
I don't want to make the same error that the previous owner made.
Does anybody have any other advice?
Have other people had similar problems?

Any comments would be appreciated.
HJ

 

My cautious approach paid off. The car is running, and sounds great.
I compared my pictures of the connectors with a wrecked 94 Accord in the junkyard.
I also ran resistance check comparisons of the two cars. Both were nearly identical, pin for pin.
I heard the engine run, so I knew it was a valid comparison. The GOOD ECU in this car was 37820 -P0A-A51 This car also did NOT have the OBD-II diagnostic connector under the ashtray / radio. The cutout was there, but no connector.
So my summarization of the main problem with this car is that the previous owner bought the wrong ECU for this car. He SMOKED the ECU, and sold the car after Honda quoted him a $1600 repair bill.

Perhaps this will help some other people further down the road.
Email me and I will try to help you. I live in the North Texas area if you want to drop in.
HJ

 

Good find John,thanks for posting the results.