1996 Honda Prelude Fires One Spark Only

HONDA PRELUDE
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JOHN WASCHAK
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i have a 1996 honda prelude si 2.3 obd2 and i put an obd1 1992 honda prelude si 2.3 and i have spark only one time every revolution in the distributor there is only one pickup in the distributor is that all that is suppose to be in there i have an external coil and crank sensor i had installed the crank sensor with the original 96 oil pump and houseing on the 92 block i just cant figure out why the spark is like that timeing has been checked out and coil and cranksensor all check out would egr valve have any effect or was i suppose to convert my ecu wich i live in ny and is impossible to do and pass inspection please help im in a jam-thank you .
Jan 25, 2007 at 2:22 AM
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INDYUKE
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You definately need the put the 92 ecu into the vehicle, along with all the sensors calibrated for it.
Jan 25, 2007 at 3:03 AM
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JOHN WASCHAK
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i forgot to in clude that the intake was kept from the 96 and the distributor also so i only have the head in the block from 94 in wich i thoght was the same for all years 92-96 cxcept obd2 had more sensors like crank and knock and others on the intake was this bad info should i just put a 96 engine in because if i have a 92 ecu it will not pass inspection right.
Jan 26, 2007 at 8:31 AM
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INDYUKE
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If you only swapped the head and the block rather than the entire engine, then I don't see any obstacle to passing emissions (inspection?) so long as you remove all emission components -including sensors- from the 92 block and head, and swapped them for the emission components and sensors from the 96 engine.

However like you said, the OBDII system is different, and if the 92 block and head will not accept OBDII components, then you might need to go with a 96 engine.

Double check the 92 block and head you put into the car to see whether or not they will accept 96 emission components and sensors.

Clarification: when you say you have one spark per crankshaft revolution, do you mean one spark per sparkplug... or just one spark and nothing else?
Jan 26, 2007 at 12:28 PM
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JOHN WASCHAK
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only one spark per revolution not every spark plug only one fires other three dont fire at all iam about to got back in and replace crank sensor i was reading on the net and i had seen someone had a fireing problem and they replaced egr valve do this sound right? the block and head seem to be the same one of my friends books say the block and head are slightly different but dont state how i know that a 92 does not have a knock sensor hole and my 96 block did now i have not ran this yet this knock sensor would not impead spark would it?
Jan 27, 2007 at 4:41 AM
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INDYUKE
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If you are set up with the 96 computer and emission components, you do need every sensor that goes with that system... including the knock sensor.

It's hard to say whether or not the absent knock sensor is causing the computer to fire the ignition system only once. Try plugging the knock sensor into it's wire, and tying it to the engine block or head somewhere with a hose clamp or some zip ties.
Jan 30, 2007 at 2:32 PM

Suggested Repair

If keeping the 1996 computer, the 1992 block and head must accept all 1996 emissions components and sensors, including the knock sensor. Connect the knock sensor and secure it to the block or head, then recheck spark. If those parts will not accept the 1996 components, use a 1996 engine or match the ECU and sensors to the 1992 setup.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Honda Prelude Si installed a 1992 Prelude block and head while retaining the 1996 intake, distributor, and OBD-II computer. Only one spark plug fires once per revolution despite checks of timing, the coil, and crank sensor. The expert said a 1992 ECU and matching sensors would be needed for that setup, but emissions inspection may still be possible if all 1996 emissions parts and sensors fit. With the 1996 computer, every sensor is required, including the knock sensor, which should be connected and secured to the engine for testing.

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