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ECU Plug in
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 6:50 pm
by Danielr637
Hi,
Been to my local garage to get my 1999 prelude's ECU fault Diagnosed and apparently I need the following adapter -
"16 pin female adapter - to a Honda connector"
Please can someone send me a Link to one, wasn't too sure after looking on eBay on which one is the correct one for my car.
Also, where abouts is the ECU plug in location in the car for the ECU ?
Thanks
Daniel
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 8:44 pm
by wurlycorner
Hi, what are you trying to get diagnosed?
The most technical thing you need in order to read the fault codes is a mk1 paperclip!
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 11:21 pm
by Sailor
Here's a pic of the 2-pin socket near the passenger footwell (credit = photo from
@wurlycorner's post in January.
I think
@Nitin did a 'how to' ages ago as well.
Re: ECU Plug in
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 8:58 pm
by Danielr637
That's great thank you

has anyone got an idea about where to buy the plug I adapter please?
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:33 am
by newkid
Danielr637 wrote:That's great thank you

has anyone got an idea about where to buy the plug I adapter please?
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Why? You only need a paperclip.
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:51 am
by bennyboy
I think we all take a few things for granted here as we're dealing with them all the time Daniel.
To clarify, yes, you can buy an expensive diagnostic tool OR what most people tend to do is use a wire or paper clip to bridge the blue service connector shown in the pic, turn the ignition and then read off the code from the number of short and long flashes by the engine management light on the dash.
It wont hurt your car, its actually what the tool does, it just has a readout to make it easier.
There's a how-to in the section on the forum that will guide you through it, if you get stuck, post up your results here and we'll see if we can help.

Re: ECU Plug in
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:05 am
by Danielr637
bennyboy wrote:I think we all take a few things for granted here as we're dealing with them all the time Daniel.
To clarify, yes, you can buy an expensive diagnostic tool OR what most people tend to do is use a wire or paper clip to bridge the blue service connector shown in the pic, turn the ignition and then read off the code from the number of short and long flashes by the engine management light on the dash.
It wont hurt your car, its actually what the tool does, it just has a readout to make it easier.
There's a how-to in the section on the forum that will guide you through it, if you get stuck, post up your results here and we'll see if we can help.

Hey, thanks for your reply but I have tried with the paper clip, I don't want to reset, I want to read the error as the 4ws light is constantly on. Please see pics below for what I'm after, I'm not sure if these are correct?
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:30 am
by indigolemon
Hi Daniel, we're not talking about doing a reset, we're talking about getting the error codes.
With the ignition off, you short the two pins in that connector, then you turn the ignition to position two. At this stage the various ECU's in the car will blink their lights in order to give you the error code for any faults they've logged.
To get the code, a long flash = 10, a short flash = 1. Just add them up to get the specific code. In your case, you'll be wanting to watch the 4WS light. If you're in any doubt, just film the light and post a link to the video in here and we'll help you out.
Also, as far as I'm aware no one has ever had any success with those adaptor cables - sorry.
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:17 am
by wurlycorner
You do not need a code reader, full stop.
Even the official Honda service instructions tell you to do it by shorting that plug and reading the codes on the dash lights, so please take our word for it, instead of whatever some monkey mechanic has told you, because he doesn't know the car.
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:58 am
by ek9sid
http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/wiki/in ... _and_codes
The pictures posted previously show the plug you use.