VX lean burn monitor - enhanced how to desired

[jadziasman]

I have read Krousdb's original post on TomO's VX links and info and need some assistance in understanding what it takes to tap into the ECU. I am somewhat fearful of cutting any of the wires at the ECU because some of them are shielded (to guard against stray EMF's I guess).

So, to those of you who have already wired up their lean burn monitor to D14 and D16, is there any way of doing this without cutting the existing wiring? As much as I would love to have this monitor to improve my mpg, I won't risk messing up my currently perfect PGM-FI without more knowledge.

[rgsRSX06]

careful with the lean burn, you could get detonation/pining and destroy your engine in short order. You should if you have a Honda check out Hondata for an ecu upgrade that lets you tinker with air-fuel and timing.

[Danronian]

I disagree. Hondata is killing grass-roots tuning and PGM-FI.org. Don't use them.

I would also love a how-to on this so I could see when my car goes into lean-burn.

[dogncatboy]

Originally Posted by Danronian

I would also love a how-to on this so I could see when my car goes into lean-burn.

Ditto.

[rlprlp1]

I carfully shaved the insulation off the two wires just enough to solder into them. Taped them up when i was done.

[93dagsr]

Originally Posted by rlprlp1

I carfully shaved the insulation off the two wires just enough to solder into them. Taped them up when i was done.

which ones??...pics??..

[GasSavers_vxhatch]

Everything you need to wire a voltmeter, including wire color codes is in the main post, http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2427

What I would like to implement instead of a voltmeter is a dash light that glows when in lean-burn mode. I noted when a new member from Portugal described his Civic has a Honda provided "ECONO" indicator that lights when in lean burn. Here's the post: http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=5535
Read the 5th paragraph and check out the 2nd pic.

A simple comparator circuit could be built to switch a dash mounted LED on whenever the monitored voltage is in the lean-burn range. I'll try and post back with a sample circuit next week.

Doug

[GasSavers_TomO]

Originally Posted by vxhatch

I noted when a new member from Portugal described his Civic has a Honda provided "ECONO" indicator that lights when in lean burn. Here's the post: http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=5535
Read the 5th paragraph and check out the 2nd pic.

That members car is an OBD2 version of Civic and that motor is a D16Y5. Different coding than our OBD1 VX so he has a little more bells and whistles from the factory with respect to indicators.

Originally Posted by vxhatch

What I would like to implement instead of a voltmeter is a dash light that glows when in lean-burn mode.
<snip>
A simple comparator circuit could be built to switch a dash mounted LED on whenever the monitored voltage is in the lean-burn range. I'll try and post back with a sample circuit next week.

Doug

I'm in the process of getting a kit together that will do exactly that for the VX owners. I'm still amassing parts though. I'm thinking that I should be able to get a kit together and out the door this spring if things move smoothly.

Originally Posted by rgsRSX06

careful with the lean burn, you could get detonation/pining and destroy your engine in short order. You should if you have a Honda check out Hondata for an ecu upgrade that lets you tinker with air-fuel and timing.

Jadziasman is talking about monitoring the signal from the LAF (Linear Air Fuel) sensor currently found on all federal emission 92-95 Civic VX models. There is no modifying of the factory settings for lean burn and therefore no danger of ruining anything.

The P07 ECU that controls the D15Z1 motor is not "chippable" in the known sense of the tuner world. Therefor, Hondata wants nothing to do with the P07 ECU as it uses a 16bit code that differs greatly from the normal 8bit Honda coding.

Originally Posted by jadziasman

So, to those of you who have already wired up their lean burn monitor to D14 and D16, is there any way of doing this without cutting the existing wiring?

I won't be able to take any pictures for a How-To for a while due to it being really cold out. But to let you know, you don't need to cut any wires, just shave off some of the insulation on the mentioned wires (D14 and D16) and solder on a lead to run to your DMM or just use some of those wire taps that don't cut the wire. I prefer the solder method though.

[jadziasman]

Thanks TomO, I figured you'd chime in on this sooner or later.

I was also kind of interested in if you had unfasten the ECU from the passenger side wall to get access to D14 and D16. I will wait for warmer weather as well before adding this "feature".

And, you will be helping out many VX enthusiasts if you decide to put together an installation kit.

[Sigifrith]

TomO I'm down for a kit when it's ready.