Ricky80b

Have a 94 honda civic ex. Auto with factory dz16. A couple months back car had trouble starting, then once started would not rev over 3500k. When you would hit 3500k car would basically act like it was governed. I was thinking maybe the v-tec solenoid. Then about a month ago car won't start. I can smell gas, and it's trying to turn over but won't fire. Figure it's something with the ignition, check all my fuses and replace the distributor. Still try's to turn over but won't fire. I am at my wits end, any idea's/advice. Thanks in advance

Former User

Is the CEL on?

Does the fuel pump prime and is there spark at the plugs?

Have you checked whether the timing belt snapped or skipped some teeth?

Ricky80b

Yeah the CEL was on before the car stopped running. I can hear the fuel pump and smell gas so I think it's working. Need to check timing belt but I think it's ok

94civic96

well if your timing is off it can still run but in some cases act like there is a governor at some rpm's... and if your smelling gas like that i have a feeling its timing.... retime it and let me know if it fixed it, if not check your firing order of your spark plug wires

Former User

If the timing belt and mechanical timing happen to be fine, then pull the CEL codes and check for spark.

Ricky80b

When I tried to get the codes a couple months back it said Map sensor, I replaced that. Now when I try to check the CEL it just continues to flash about every second with no variation.

Ricky80b

Ok I checked the wires and firing order, I have the cylinder closest to the distributor as #1...lining up with the mark on the cap. Then it goes in a counter clockwise order with #2 being the next closest cylinder to the distributor. Is that correct?

94civic96

check the codes make sure you count them and let me know what they say ... remember long flashes and short flashes and let me know what codes you have theres got to b a variation.... if there isnt ur ecu my b shot but i doubt it

94civic96

no cylinder closest to the cam gear is cylinder #1 and 2nd closest to the cam gear is #2 and so on..... buttt the timing on ur distributor is not in order like that look up a thread for the distributor timing

94civic96

i bet your firing order is backwards

Former User

Have you checked for spark? Click here.

Click here to learn to read CEL codes.

Here's the firing order of the plug wires on the distributor cap. The cylinders are ordered 4-3-2-1 from the distributor to the timing belt:

Ricky80b

Wow, thanks for all the help and support guys. I am a idiot, with little knowledge of the honda 4's. I did have the plug wires incorrectly hooked up to the cap. Made the adjustment, car fired right up. And after a couple minutes settled down at a real nice idle. Purring like a kitten...thanks again to all that helped.

Now it's time for a auto to manual swap and maybe a budget turbo setup. Cheers RIcky