After a long period of frustration that kept me away from resolving this problem with my 2000 NSX, I have a new hope and determination to keep working until an answer is found to correct the problem. I am grateful for your ideas and interest to help me.
In prior attempts to repair the car, I installed a new main relay, which is, I assume, the same thing as a PGM-F1 main relay, as well as a new ignition switch. I had found around 10 electrical grounds around the car, cleaning and then tightening them. I replaced the main ground wire from the battery to the body. I purchased a new (in the clear wrapper) original Acura NSX Service Manual 1997, ($150+-) and an Acura NSX Electrical Trouble Shooting Manual ’97-’02 ($45 +-). Reviewing the electrical section of the Manual, I found the location and item designation of all 25 ground locations. I’ll clean and reinstall each ground to insure I’m not overlooking the basic function of the electrical grounds on the car.
Here is the latest update. I have done the following tests:
1. With an OBD II tester, I found no trouble codes showing.
2. Installed the electric Glowshift fuel pressure gauge into the cockpit area. At idle, it reads 42 PSI which is the same reading I got from the Marsh mechanical gauge.
3. I performed the fuel pressure regulator test on p. 11-33 and 11-137 of the ’97 NSX service manual, clamping the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose. My reading with the hose clamped, engine running was 52 PSI. The specified range was 47-53 PSI. When the hose was connected to the regulator, the pressure was 42 PSI. Normal range specified is 36-44 PSI. Both times, the pressure was within the normal range.
4. After an overnight rest, I turned the ignition switch on (II), the Glowshift fuel pressure gauge read 46 PSI. After starting the car, idle pressure is 42/43 PSI.
(The prior Marsh fuel gauge gave me a pressure leak down reading of 20 PSI after 1 minute and 2 PSI after 2 minutes.)
When the engine quits running and fails to start, I’m either stuck on the side of the road, in a parking lot, or in my garage after the car has been towed home. I’ve been stranded 6 times. I’ve started driving my car again, but I’m expecting a breakdown so I’m only driving in the morning or early afternoon so I can perform tests while it won’t start. If it still won’t start, I want to tow it home before dark.
On page 11-42 of the Service Manual, it lists Troubleshooting Procedures for “Engine will not start.” The “Probable Cause” are 4,2,3,5,19,13,1. The first item, 4, is Ignition System, which I hope I can eliminate after the fuel system. Am I to assume these Probable Causes are listed in the order that they should be addressed? Can fuel/spark can be addressed simultaneously?
Here are the tests I plan to perform when the engine quits running and fails to start:
1. Turn the engine on and listen for the 2-3 second pulse of the fuel pump as well as examine the Glowshift fuel pressure gauge.
2. Try to start the engine with the spare key to make sure the immobilizer control unit is not engaging with my primary key. (Acura dealer suggestion)
After testing for fuel pressure which I believe I can now confirm with the audible test as well as the GlowShift fuel pressure gauge, the Manual indicates the next test would be the fuel pump relay. This test is complicated and involves a vacuum pump if there is battery voltage to the ECM. This is an additionally complicated diagnostic if there is no voltage to the ECM, and includes the risk of damaging the ECM if I do it incorrectly.
I assume that if I have correct fuel pressure, the problem could lie in the ignition/spark. Should I address the spark at this point?
Are there any additional baseline tests at this junction that I should perform related to fuel?
Some of the tests are a little complicated for me, checking voltage with a tester or jumping pin connections with a jumper wire like the fuel pump resistor test.
In summary, when I break down again, I can diagnose that I do have fuel pressure, so I think I need to know what test to do to evaluate whether I have ignition/spark.
If I don’t have fuel pressure, I need to know what tests I can do before it starts to run again, to diagnose whether the fuel pump or the main relay (new) or the ECM failed.
I don’t know where to go from here, so I’d appreciate any technical ideas you have.