I’ve been working on creating an aftermarket replacement for the second gen Integra ICU for about 3 months, I have tested it in a test rig that I made and it seems to work correctly so now it needs to be tested in an actual Integra. The circuit is at least 80% copy and paste from the ICU that I made for my 1990 Civic Si. The Integra ICU performs all seven OEM functions as described in the Service Manual and Electrical Manual.
Intermittent Wipers
Side Marker Flasher
Key-in Reminder
Brake Bulb Check
Lights On Reminder
Rear Window Defogger
Oil Pressure Warning Flasher
It also has two additional features carried over from my Civic ICU.
Variable delay Intermittent wipers
Key-in Reminder Audible Alert Mute Option
The two features I had to design from scratch for the Integra ICU were the Rear Window Defogger and the Oil Pressure Warning Flasher. I think I have met all the requirements described in the Electrical Manual and the Service Manual, but I did notice two things that might be minor differences; the key-in warning and the lights on warning will not sound at the same time, and if the defogger is on when you turn off the car it shuts off when you remove the key rather than when you turn the key to the off position. I think those minor differences are acceptable but please let me know if you disagree.
Since I don’t own an Integra I am looking for someone willing and able to help me with this. There are several qualifications I am looking for:
Someone willing and able to validate/test all the functions and clearly communicate the results to me. This might require providing picture or videos.
Someone that is familiar with the proper functionality of the OEM ICU.
The person should have an electrically stock Integra; aftermarket modifications such as keyless ignition may be incompatible with this ICU. On the other hand the person obviously needs to be willing to install an aftermarket ICU in their car.
It would be preferable if the person has experience removing and replacing an ICU.
In a perfect world the person would be located somewhere close to me (Sterling, Virginia)
The more testing the better so if there is someone that is using their stock Integra as their daily driver that would be optimal.
It would also be nice if you happen to need an ICU because your current ICU is malfunctioning because, in return for your effort YOU GET TO KEEP THE ICU, however I would like to have your old ICU in return because I need the plastic case and the two electrical connectors in order to make another ICU.
Since I never got a response I’m guessing you changed your mind. I found someone on Facebook that was willing to do the final validation and I mailed the ICU to him. I hope to have the results in a couple weeks. I’ll let you know.
So sorry man. I didn’t get the notification in my updates!
I’m sorry I missed the opportunity and apologize if I wasted your time. I’m happy to help out any way I can in the future. If you don’t hear from me in a day or so after you ask me something, please email nfulfx@gmail.com
I have sold well over 100 of the EF ICUs. Mostly on eBay (Check the reviews!) but also FB and in person. Sales are definitly slower this year than last. On the EF ICUs I charge a core fee and then use the cases I get back on future ICUs. For the first few DA ICUs I won’t charge a core fee, and I will ship them without a case, folks will need to use their existing case.
In the future I do intend to ship them in cases. I would prefer to use OEM cases. Printing cases instead of recycling existing cases would increase the cost/price. I am looking into getting cases printed by JLC. I have a sample of the large half of the case on order.
I do take pride in the fact that I managed to do this and I really do enjoy helping folks out. I am retired and I was always a W2 employee so I never realized how complex it was to actually be in business. Taxes seem to be the most complicated part. I like that eBay takes care of the sales tax.
If I needed a replacement for this part the first place I would look is eBay or a junkyard so I’m not sure anyone would ever find me on my own web site. I’ve been on eBay for a long time, the fees are high but it works. They do some marketing for me and I have configured it to charge the marketing fees on lower priced items that rarely sell, but the marketing still directs folks to the new ICUs. I have not been able to figure out how to use Facebook effectively.
Profits are helpful but profit is not the primary motivation. When I sell in person or via some sales channel other than eBay, I just lower the price rather than increase the profit.
That’s fair. Trying to play the web engine game isn’t fun either. Back in the late 1990s all I needed for G2IC was the “banner exchange” and forums.
Now, with most everyone addicted to being on social media, it’s an absolute chore and a full-time job in itself to advertise your wares.
I can make a thread for you like how I did here:
Given that you don’t have a site, the link can just point to your eBay store. My goal is just to keep these cars running and members like you are doing that.
Thanks, I’ll let you know when I actually have some ready to go. I think I’ll be able to sell the first batch of four without using eBay. My plan would be to sell them to folks that actually use their DA Integra on a fairly regular basis. I won’t charge a core fee and I will offer a one year money back guarantee in return for some honest feedback. That way if my ICU fails they will still have their old ICU to go back to, and the ICUs can see some real world use. Assuming that goes well, I’ll try and guage the market and decide how many more I should make.
The guy that tested my ICU in his Integra confirmed that with one exception everything is working as intended. Unfortunately, I misinterpreted one little detail in the Integra wire diagram. I had the expected polarity of the input signal from the defog switch wrong. I designed that particular circuit with the expectation that when the switch was pressed the ICU would get a high (+) signal, turns out when the switch is pressed it gets a low (-) signal. It was a very simple modification, but it had to be shipped back and forth across the country so it will probably be the weekend before he (hopefully) confirms that last function is working correctly.
Received my prints today. Still not perfect. I’m very happy with the electrical connector but I can still tweak it a bit to make it easier to use. I’m not sure it is worth the effort to keep iterating on the cases. The red plug snaps in nicely, but the sides of the case are visibly bowed out. The lid snaps on to the base but the assembly feels like it is going to come apart. The protrusions that are supposed to snap into the fuse block are probably off by about the thickness of a piece of paper and won’t actually snap in. OEM and printed case parts are interchangeable and will snap together mix and match but they also don’t fit snug.
Just some quick thoughts so far: I feel like the tones from the ICU should be lounder. It seems muted compared to the OEM.
From your 7-point bulleted list above:
1: Works
2: I don’t have side markers – so how should I check that (or is it just ignored?)
3: Works
4: I don’t recall this being a feature in OEM Integras. I can pull a bulb to see, but what would indicate to me that this works? I think the E-brake light? (This sounds vaguely familiar as I’m typing this).
5: (Not attempted yet)
6: My rear defogger has been disabled due to the Maryland law requiring that I remove the rear tint - which destroyed the defogger lines. I will not be able to test if it works beyond the light in the switch.
2: It is actually the front corner blinkers I’m not sure why I said side markers, perhaps that is how the documentation says it. With the headlights off the front corner blinkers should blink with the bumper light. With the headlights on they should blink opposite the blinker light in the bumper.
4: This is a stupid feature because you can test the bulb by just pulling the hand brake. What it does is it illuminates the brake light while cranking the engine to test the bulb. Release the hand brake and start the engine the brake light will illuminate while cranking.
7: I am impressed that you were able to test this feature!
5: This feature is really easy to test, with the key removed, just open the door and turn on the lights. I am surprised you were able to test #7 but didn’t test #5
7: Well, by “test” I just checked to see whether it functioned normally: it comes on before the engine starts, and then after starting, it hangs a bit while the pressure builds, then shuts off.
If you want to test the oil pressure flasher circuit, this picture explains how. Grounding the YEL/RED wire is exactly the same thing that happens when your engine oil pressure is actually low. When the oil pressure is normal the oil pressure switch is open, but when the oil pressure is low the oil pressure switch closes, which completes the circuit for the oil pressure light and the light illuminates. The purpose is to make sure you are aware that a momentary loss of oil pressure has occurred because you might not notice the oil pressure light come on for a half a second, but the ICU will notice and initiate the blinking to insure that you are aware. The normal solid on when the pressure is low does not depend on the ICU and will function correctly even without an ICU installed.
