DumpdEJ6

Ok guys...I had another thread about this car but I can't find it so I started a new one.

I bought the car with a blown head gasket and so far I have replaced:

Distributor
Cap and Rotor
Spark Plugs
Head gasket
Valve cover gasket
Timing belt
Water pump
Tensioner pulley
Radiator cap

I have tested:
Timing (Spot on)
Plug wires
Main Relay
Fuel pump (I can hear it turn on)


The car would not start after replaced damn near everything except for the dizzy, so I finally broke down and got a new one. It started right up, idled for 10 seconds, then cuts off. I try to start it up again, it sputters a bit then dies. Next time cranking it, nothing. Just cranks, doesn't act like it wants to start at all. I am so tired of this goddamn car, I just want to get it running so I can sell it and pay rent.

PLEASE HELP!!

turkmcgurt5150

i have the same problem has anyone had any advise for you?

Former User

Spark at the plugs?

Mechanical timing?

Cylinder compressions?

CEL codes?

DumpdEJ6

Spark at the plugs - Check

Mechanical timing - Check

Compression - Good across all cylinders

CELs - None

This godforsaken car is driving me insane. I don't have the money to just be replacing parts left and right.

turkmcgurt5150

how do i check codes i have fuel and spark i did a swap from d15 to a d16 with a turbo went to get it tuned but my clutch was weak so they put a hondata base map it it and my buddy drove it home when it got hom it sputtered than quit running later that day i have dsm injectors obd1 dizzy obd1 ecu it wont start?!?!?

DumpdEJ6

Have you checked for spark, fuel, and timing? I was actually getting spark on my old dizzy, but I think the crank sensor was bad in it, as I replaced the coil and igniter and it still wouldn't start. So I had to buy a new distributor as you can't buy the crank sensors separately.

Former User

Is spark bright white?

Are the plug wires installed in the correct firing order?

Are the injectors spraying fuel?

DumpdEJ6

How can I test the injectors? I checked the resistance between the two prongs, they all check out.

Plug wires are indeed in the correct order, spark was orange with the old distributor, I haven't checked it with the new one yet. Although it has a new-ish battery, brand new dizzy, new plugs and the wires checked out, so I can't see it NOT having good spark. Plus I would imagine it would stumble or misfire, not just cut right off like it did...

When it did start up, it started on the first crank, it seemed like the motor turned maybe 1 revolution and BAM, idled smooth as butter. Then just shut right off and won't start again.

turkmcgurt5150

i got spark and fuel i had my dizzy rebuilt because i had the wrong housing d16s are all different that d15 for my obd1 to mount up im not really sure what is my next step

Former User

Remove the fuel rail with the injectors from the IM and crank the engine. The injectors should spray fuel.

Does the CEL work?

Is spark bright white?

Are the plug wires installed in the correct firing order?

turkmcgurt5150

yes to all of your qeustions

DumpdEJ6

I did that, the fuel pressure shot the injectors out of the rail and sprayed gas everywhere.

CEL works fine, lights up for 2 seconds with the key turned to On, then clicks off.

Former User

What car and engine are we discussing?

Are the cylinders wet with fuel after you crank the engine?

turkmcgurt5150

89 civic d16

Former User

Create a thread in the EF forum.

DumpdEJ6

1995 Civic LX

D15b7 all stock.

I'll check for wet cylinders tomorrow, can't see anything right now. Its got to be a fuel issue, I can't think of anything else it could be.

Former User

Will the engine start with starting fluid?

DumpdEJ6

Don't have any, I'll pick some up at the parts store tomorrow morning and report back in. Thank you very much for the prompt and knowledgeable advice!

DumpdEJ6

Update to this, not that it will help anyone...lol

So first thing this morning I got some starting fluid and sprayed a bit into the intake, tried to start it, nothing, just cranks over but won't start.

So then I check the spark. No spark. WTF brand new dizzy, cap, and rotor? My old dizzy had a weak spark so I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a faulty dizzy so I slapped my old one back on and BAM, fired right up.

What.
The Godd*mn.
F*ck.

I let it warm up, then shut it off. Started it right back up again. And again, because I don't know what the f*ck anymore. And again.

Every time, this thing starts right up!! I decided not to f*ck with a good thing, but I'd still like to figure out what the hell was wrong with it at first...otherwise if this f*cker dies on me, I still won't know how to make it start again...aside from apparently just playing "musical distributors" with it, lol.

Former User

This^ is a good lesson illustrating the idea to never make assumptions when troubleshooting.

I presume that the replacement distributor was an aftermarket product, which is a regular source of problems for Civics. Given that you originally had weak spark, I'll guess that the original distributor has a coil that is borderline and that the problem will reoccur sometime in the future. When/if it does, then again check for spark. If spark is absent or weak, then the coil is the prime suspect, though the igniter unit is another possibility so test them both. If one is bad, consider purchasing OEM replacements or even an entire new OEM distributor.

DumpdEJ6

I have swapped a TEC coil and an igniter from a junkyard civic, so hopefully those will be good for quite a while.

After taking the new distributor back to the parts store, we found what looks to be a melted spot and score marks on the cam sensor, so I guess I just got a bad reman'd unit.

Hopefully I won't need any more help with this car, but once again I'd like to thank your for your knowledge. Its a cool drink of water in a desert of "Yo man, jsut get a new dizzy wtf bro". lol

Former User

Haha...that's a new one -- happy driving.