is the ecu dependent on the main relay to run the diagnostic?
ive been through three(relays) ithink my ecu is frying them(i shorted the starter terminal.)
my CEL doesnt flash it just stays on.(with the main relay unplugged)
does this mean my ecu is trash?

 

do you have spark? can you hear the fuel pump fire up when you turn the ignition "ON" before you crank it?

 

no but the fuel pump wont work with a bad main relay

 

Yes, the ECU usually depends on the main relay, since the main relay is responsible for a whole lot of things working right.

 

yeah i understand that but what im asking is should the diagnostic cycle work without the main realy becauser i dont have a good one to find out.
everything has gotten progressively worse.
now the check engine light doesnt come on at all when i turn the key on.
if anyone could do me a big favor that has a 96-00 civic go unplug your main realy from behind the glove box and turn your key on and see if the check engine light does its thing(comes on blinks then goes off or stays on depending on if you have a problem)
that would bhe awesome

 

Theoretically, the diagnostic would be able to run, but without the main relay, it would diagnose incorrectly, since things wouldn't be working. But I agree: someone else should go test this.

 

yeah but the prob. is it isnt diagnosing at all.
sometimes the light comes on and stays on no blink(no diag. cycle)
sometimes it doesnt come on at all.
no voltage to anything controlled by ecu
i got a brand new main relay today still didnt work
99% sure its the ecu
getting one in next couple of days