CarsAndGuitars

Hello all,

So about a month ago, my car flipped on the CEL. I pulled the code and it was the cylinder position sensor inside the distributor. I ordered a new distributor online and installed it today. I checked the ignition timing on my old distributor with the service connector jumped, and it was pretty much spot on the red mark.After getting the new unit on, I of course needed to adjust timing.I have my new distributor fully advanced and am only able to get it to fire as early as 10-12 degrees btdc. If I fully retard the timing, it almost kills the motor because its firing at about 2 degrees btdc. Anyone know what my issue might be?

All help is always appreciated!
Thx

fcm

Where did you get the distributor from, [OEM, good aftermarket, cheap aftermarket]? 94

CarsAndGuitars

I ordered it from ebay. I know what your thinking, and trust me I've heard the horror stories. However, I do a fair bit of research on the seller before buying anything. This seller (king auto parts), has 100% positive feedback, and offered a 1 year warranty. The distributor was ~80 dollars vs. $350 at autozone. It looks to be quality though. I read in a post for a similar issue that someone suggested that the timing belt might be stretched, therefore throwing off the cam timing. I don't believe this is the issue though because when I put my old distributor back on, I was able to time it perfectly without going full advance. And it runs like a champ with the old distributor (minus the very occasional misfire at idle that throws the check engine light.This only happens once every couple days. I just dont understand why I can perfectly time the old distributor at about 3/4 between full retard and full advance but the new one even at full advance fires at about 10-12 btdc.

CarsAndGuitars

Also wanted to add that if I could've found one, I would've bought oem. However, honda no longer manufactures it according to the stealership.

fcm

Sounds like there is a problem with the new distibutor, good you have a 1 year warranty.

Is the distributor "indexed", [so it can only be installed one way]?

Because the old distributor "works" the problem must be the new distributor.

Does the eBay vender have support, have you tryed contacting them? 94

CarsAndGuitars

Just sent them a message. I'll post when I hear back from them.

CarsAndGuitars

Seller is shipping out a new unit at no cost. Didn't even have to ship back the first unit.