theschweizer

I drive my civic on a regular basis, but one morning a couple weeks back it wouldn't start. The engine cranks but I got no spark. I checked and then replaced the cap and rotor but that wasn't the issue. I then checked the resistance of the coil and that checked out. I checked for spark off the secondary contact of the coil but no spark. I did get an led to dimly light up off the could but that's it. I concluded that I needed to replace the ICM (ignitor). When I removed the old ICM there was a pool of oil so I replaced the whole dizzy instead. I now get a spark but the engine won't start. Anyone got an idea of what my issue is? Also I have no CEL.

Former User

Does the CEL work? Have you checked for CEL codes?

Does the fuel pump prime?

theschweizer

The CEL has worked in the past but I haven't checked for codes I'll do that. Yes the pump primes.

Former User

Also check whether spark is bright white at each spark plug using a new properly gapped spark plug.

Jimi Hondrix

The distributor has two O-rings: one external and one internal inside the housing. the internal one leaked and allowed oil into the distributor. Did you purchase an OEM distributor?

theschweizer

RonJ
I checked for codes and have none. I don't have new spark plugs but by inspection my seem fine. Can I use a spark tester tool instead of buy a new spark plug?

Jimi Hondix
I did no buy an OEM dizzy. I bought the same brand that I used for me last replacement job two years ago.

Update of symptoms:
First thing I did this morning was attempt to start the car and it tried to fire but failed immediately and returned to fruitless crank with no combustion. I'm wonder if my issue is timing. I placed the new dizzy in a similar position to the old dizzy's position so I wouldn't think that would be the issue. Someone I spoke with mentioned that fuel injectors might be getting bad commands via my new dizzy but I'm not sure how to check that.

Thanks for the help.

theschweizer

Well the car is working. I think what happened was I crossed spark plug wires but I'm not sure cause I found an image for the dizzy firing sequence and it was different than what I had hooked up so I change my wiring to match. I then discovered that image was wrong so I found a correct image and rewire the dizzy again. I then adjusted the dizzy for timing. When I went to start the engine I could tell it was trying to fire up but it wouldn't really start up until I gave it some gas and it started right up.