1990-1993 Acura Integra Bad ECU/Code 0 [Symptoms + Fix]
191Here I am showing what a bad ECU situation will look like.
When a car does not start, you need to check for spark, fuel, and compression. Seeing as the CEL would not click off when the key is "on", and I didn't hear the fuel pump prime, I thought the main relay was bad. I tried three different ones including a brand new one. I tried to look at the codes from the CEL, but as you can see, the light would not even blink. That was when I knew the ECU had taken a shit somehow.
There was NO warning for this - I hadn't driven my car for several days, then when I tried to start it, I only got cranking. I found the carpet frozen and damp so I am guessing water/ice is to blame. My DA has the infamous windshield cowl leak that kills ECUs and blower motors like nobody's business. I will probably try to wrap this ECU to protect it in the future.
If not the ECU itself, try the wiring harness. The CEL not doing anything is a dead giveaway that it's code zero and you need a new unit. Unfortunately the prices are jacked up (I paid $110), if you can find one in a junkyard please grab it! You need to make sure you get the right ECU - OBD0, ODB1, or OBD2 matters, as well as if you have a manual or automatic. From what I understand, automatic plugs are different than manual so you won't even be able to use the wrong one. For reference, my car is a 92 non-VTEC 5 speed, being a 92 makes it ODB1.
It's an easy fix if you've narrowed down the problem. Any questions, feel free to ask. Or about second gen Integras in general, I have owned five of them over the past 11 years and almost driven them exclusively in that time. Good luck!
*this MOST DEFINITELY can and will apply to other Hondas especially of this era with solder joints breaking down and aging.