scythe88

long story short my civic was not getting spark and would not start. so i got a brand new dizzy, put it on and low and behold i started but only ran for like 5 seconds before cutting out and dieing. now it is back to where it started...cranks and cranks but will not start. the main relay is fine, it clicks 3 times and the CEL goes off like it should. all the grounds are good as well. anybody have any ideas as to what the problem may be? thanks.

jwm1986

You try moving it around to adjust timing? Also I have read where when you put in the dizzy the pin on the inside can be turned 180 degrees making everything on the timing completely off. Try looking at these two things.

scythe88

i tried clocking the dizzy but that did not help. i bought the dizzy new(re-man) so the pin and the hub that connects to the cam should be set properly, i dont know how to tell. also with wrong timing why would it start that one time? thanks.

jwm1986

I cannot really answer the last part. But when you say it should be set, that is not always correct. You can spin it and it is entirely possible to set it into the cam turned 180*s. It will be tighter however. Just an idea, not saying you did that or anything.

scythe88

i will check the battery to see if it is dead...though i tried jumping it with no luck.

Former User

So at this point, you again don't have spark? Does the fuel pump prime? Is there battery voltage at the Blk/Yel wire attached to the coil and ICM in the dizzy?

scythe88

i have not checked...the car is outside now and i was getting cold an frustrated. i will try to go back tonight.

i can hear the fuel pump prime.

i have tried with 2 ECUs as well. a p28 and a p05...same both times.

sargoth09

The first step to troubleshooting an 88-00 Civic that cranks but will not start is always to check for spark. Bad ignition coils are very common in Honda models with internal-coil distributors.

scythe88

i mean i just bought a new dizzy, unless this one went bad within the 5 min i had it on there. i will check that though.

d16soda

dude this is a simple problem... answer a few questions:

1. Does it crank? If so how quickly. Dont check your battery if its cranking.
2. Check for spark.
3. Try to start it again but pump the gas pedal. I had to do that for the initial start, then go back and rotate the dizzy a fair mount counter-clockwise.. it was having trouble due to a slightly retarded timing. ONLY do this if you have spark. let us know what's up.

scythe88

-if you read the OP i said that it does crank and does not start. it seems kinda slow but i dont know what a normal cranking speed is.
-i am checking for spar here in a few
-i tried cranking it while pumping the gas with no luck.

i will try to update here shortly.

scythe88

ok, so it got spark, but my cold *** only checked cylinder #1 but it still will not start. just turns over. i have a vid if it helps.


also it looks as though the fuel line has a little kink in it from being stretched to fit, but the plugs smell like fuel...not enough fuel?

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/e...1-10_21011.flv

scythe88

anybody? spark and fuel...no starty?

Fuzzydingo

it's cranking normal speed, but it doesn't sound like ur getting spark(enough spark). UR gonna have to check each cylinder for spark (sorry if its cold, im in NJ its like 20 outside).
Have u EVER had this motor running?
I kinda think ur timing is WAY off.

turbo-b20civc

If it does have a spark its a very weak one. From the sound of the motor it has no fire at all, I just had the same problem with a '91 Accord and the first distributer I bought was bad and I had to get another one. Check and see if the spark plugs are fouled out, if none of that is the problem, check compression. Good Luck.

scythe88

there is voltage getting to the dizzy.

when i tested spark it looked like a nice healthy large blue spark. maybe one of the plug wires are bad? but that would still run just not well right?

could it be something like the IAC causing it to not start? or could it be that slight kink in the fuel line that runs from the filter to the rail?

scythe88

anyone?

changoman13

I have the same problem! I have a 93 civic and i installed the civic battery backwards and it blew my 70A fuse from the fusebox up near the engine, now the engine turns and just like the video above it turns and turns untill the battery runs out of juice. SO this is what i installed so far, a whole new underdash fuse box and all fuses all in correct spots, a brand new distributor that i bought and tested on my friends civic and it works on his civic, I also installed new wires, new spark plugs, and a new ECM. I checked the distributor and it does receive power but it wont give a spark when its installed on my civic...............so anyone know what else it could be?

changoman13

and yes i did install a new 70 A fuse

changoman13

I checked the timing and its in the right order.

scythe88

i think my prob is with the timing. with the mini-me do all the timing makes remain the same? i am not sure with it being a meld of 2 different motors.

scythe88

did you check the ecu ground? the one that attaches to the thermostat housing? it is a critical ground.

changoman13

Interesting.....I know engine oil spilled when I swaped the distributor I will try to check that ground wire, do you know what colors it is? And do you think that the civic main relay has anything to do with my problem? I did intall the battery backwards afterall.

scythe88

i dont know. maybe the ecu is dead now when you flipped the terminals around. you should make a thread of your own for it though.

scythe88

it kinda started...my buddy said the engine was shaking back and fourth alot though. it sounds like it wants to start but wont. some smoke is coming out of the end of the exhaust manifold....just wont start. i am using the B8 exhaust manifold but could that restrict flow to the point of not starting?

or could it be that the octane is not high enough, or bad injectors?