ajmj

I drive a 1995 honda civic 4dr ex, stock. I was comming home from work when I felt no power and the car died. I tried to start it while it was still coasting but wouldnt start. I pulled over at the shoulder and checked if anything was loose busted, or leaking. Checked the battery, alernator, starter, spark plug wires, distributor. But everthing look fine. I tried starting the car and it would crank up but wouldnt fire up and start. So I called a tow truck to tow it home. When I got home I was for sure it was the timing belt. I open up the valve cover and the timing belt is intact. One side of the timing belt is loose and the other side is tight. So I figured what the hell Ill try starting it up and the car fired up and started. I dont know what could be wrong with it. Do I need to adjust the timing belt so it will be tight? Dont really know what caused it to die on the highway. Im scared to drive it because it might die again and dont feel like paying 55$ for towing. If anybody has any idea that may lead me to the right direction. I will gladly appreciate it. If this helps last weekend changed all my spark plugs, axle because they were clickn and transmission fluid and changed the brake master cylinder. Thanks in advance for your help.

Crazydave

You need a few things for an engine to run:

Fuel, spark, and compression

start check to see if your spark plugs are sparking.

Cypher0117

when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

DSRxNATE DNRperformance

hahah...it can be simple stuff.
-get a full tune up. (spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, blah blah...)
-fuel pump...change your fuel filter...try getting that fuel system cleaner
-im thinking its your alternator or something...maybe its a fuse..
-my friend didnt have his car running for like 3 months and it was the damn ignition fuse.

ajmj

I dont think that the fuel filter has been changed before. The spark plugs are brand new. I gapped them the factory specs .44. Is it normal that one side of the timing belt is kinda loose and the other side tight. I will try to replace all these things but just scared that when I replace it might break down again. Also the alternator fuse where is the fuse box for it. If the fuse is bad would the car even start up. Weird thing about it is the car starts up and idles normal. Any more opinions will be appreciated. Thanks guys.

ajmj

how do I check if my spark plugs are sparking.

kkim

sounds like your distributor ignitor or hv coil going. check for spark next time it doesn't start.

ajmj

how do I check for spark on those. Do I need a new distributor.

Crazydave

pull one out of the engine, connect it to the wire, set it down, have a friend crank it, and look for spark

kchungb17a

Yes, my money is on the ignitor. When they start to go out, they'll do it when the engine is hot, but when it cools down, it will start right up, no problem. You can get a spark tester from the parts store. I don't think they're too expensive. You can carry a spare plug with you and plug it into a spark plug wire with the electrode grounded. But it isn't nearly as ideal as a spark testor b/c the tester has a much larger gap, which simulates the resistance in the combustion chamber.

B18ek

You need a new distributer. I work at Honda and they always go.
I have one for sale? .
$50 its yours. let me know

coquitlamEG

you can't just tell the guy that he needs a new distributor. I've seen so many people waste so much money because somebody on the forum told them that their problem was definatly this...or definatly that. It could very well be the distributor, but check it out first before you fork out cash for another one. I'm a Honda technician and i would never just tell a customer what's wrong with their car after only hearing about the symptoms.

HondaFanatic708

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coquitlamEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you can't just tell the guy that he needs a new distributor. I've seen so many people waste so much money because somebody on the forum told them that their problem was definatly this...or definatly that. It could very well be the distributor, but check it out first before you fork out cash for another one. I'm a Honda technician and i would never just tell a customer what's wrong with their car after only hearing about the symptoms.</TD></TR></TABLE> Diagnose..

FuNkDrSpOt

iTrader: (5)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaFanatic708 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Diagnose..</TD></TR></TABLE>

i can diagnose one thing its NOT...<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by darkside408 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
-fuel pump...change your fuel filter...try getting that fuel system cleaner</TD></TR></TABLE>

fuel filters on Hondas are for the LIFE of the car.

ajmj

thanks guys I think it is the ignitor I will try getting one from a local parts store before I buy a distributor. Thanks for you help and wish me luck.

ajmj

Is the ignitor and ignitor coil in my 95 civic inside the distributor or outside. Dont really know much about the distributors. Are ignitors and ignitor coil expensive. Thanks

civic_driver

they are expensive compared to other electronics... hell you can get a brand new CD player with bells and whistles for $200 which is much more technically advanced than a civic distro... a new distro is ~$250-300

what a rip off...

and yes, the ignitor is inside the distributor.. it's a tiny part

buy it online and make sure it's good quality

ajmj

which part you think I should by the ignitor or ignitor coil.

suspendedHatch

Don't waste your money on either. Don't throw money at the car. Buy the goddamned Haynes repair manual for $15 at Autozone and it tells you how to test your ignitor and coil. Even if you need a digital voltmeter, you can get one for about $15 at Sears. It's very simple and nothing to get intimidated over.

EG-SI(rII)

Did you lose all power in your car? i.e. dash, lights, accesories?

Could be as simple as a bad ground.

mountaindewguy

you need a new distributor....its a notorious problem for hondas...

definately not a fuel filter... if it was a fuel filter you would have problems climbing to high speeds

my money on the distributor, if its not that, then the fuel pump.
i just replaced the dizzy on my civic 2 months ago and my girlfriends accord 2 weeks ago...

B18ek

Thanks
Complete distributer! No ignitor/coil.....whole ****! Not Cheap ones from auto zone!
Genuine Honda!
Yes, do some tests but most likely its the dist!

civic_driver

even though i think it's the ignitor in this case i agree with suspendedHatch... replace only broken parts.... don't waste your money on parts that are not broken.. your best bet is a civic service manual along with some tools to help you troubleshoot

good luck to you!

coquitlamEG

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18ek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks
Complete distributer! No ignitor/coil.....whole ****! Not Cheap ones from auto zone!
Genuine Honda!
Yes, do some tests but most likely its the dist! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Why the hell would you tell him to replace his whole distributor? Aside from the parts inside the dizzy, it's just a chunk of metal. There's absolutly no need to replace the whole unit. Just do as everyone has said and buy a manual for your car and start the troubleshooting process. I had the exact same thing happen to me a few months ago. I whipped out my multi meter, started testing everything and found it was my ignition coil that went bad. Bought a new one for $50. Problem solved. There's no need to go and spend $300+ on a new dizzy. Especially since you're not even 100% sure if that's the problem yet. I hate to rant and rave, but i just find it so irresponsible to tell someone that they definatly need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new part, just because you had a similar problem once or heard about one. Offer the guy some advice to help him find the problem. Don't clean his wallet out!

mountaindewguy

ok i'll offer advice.. go pay the 50 to get it looked at......find out its the dizzy...
there
waste of 50 bucks that you could have bought that ignitor with?
or the module?
or the cap and rotor?
****, the whole damn thing
i can get one brand new in the box for 130....no its not honda part... but i bet it'll run its full life with now problems...
or you can get a really damn good used one for 60 bucks if you look around that came off a car that was totalled in the sides or rear