HI, first time caller, long time listener...

I replaced the transmission on my 96 LX (F22b2) with an auto trans out of a 93 accord.
Now it will only start when I've plugged in the code reader (behind the ash tray). Unplug the code reader and it dies instantly. There are no codes to be read.

It did start fine prior to this. And it seems to run just fine with the code reader plugged in.

I have absolutely no clue what this could be.

Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.

 

Fixed it!

My buddy found a non-connected ground wire on drivers side that went to the intake. Hooked that up and it runs like a champ
Silly ground wires causing weird problems.

 

OK that's cool. I for one couldn't think of a good reason why it should only run with the code reader.

Apparently, that's a ground for the ECU, and the code reader provided an alternate ground allowing it to run.