scobaru

I'm working on a 96 civic with a no start issue. It needed a new cap and rotor and there was no power to the coil. Threw in a used distributor with a new ignitor module and now it only will spark once from the coil upon start up and no spark after that. If I try again it will give off one good spark and nothing again. I'm suspecting that the new module is bad or that the ECU isn't sending a pulse signal to the igniter. The injectors are getting a pulse and the main relay as far as I can tell is good it clicks on and off. I'm pretty stumped on this one

mk378

Power to the coil should be constant. It comes from the key switch and wiring. The module drives one end of the coil to ground to make sparks. So you should measure 12 volts on the coil input terminals both with the key on and while cranking.

Always keep a grounded test wire near the coil output for it to spark to, don't let the system try to fire into an open circuit.

chrysler kid

A local autoparts store should be able to check your ignition control module to see if it is faulty, atleast autozone does.

It has been mentioned that amazon sells a complete new distributor for around $80

scobaru

I swapped the new ignitor for another one from autozone and still the same issue. it has a 12volt constant on the coil the issue is that the ignitor isn't cycling to spark anymore than 3 or 4 times during the start of cranking and dies. this is the youtube video I followed

mk378

Are any codes being set?

Is the ECU driving the fuel injectors? (do the "noid light" test to see that).

Firing of sparks depends on the ECU. The distributor sensors provide timed pulses to the ECU. The ECU then generates spark pulses for the ICM which amplifies the pulse and drives the coil.

scobaru

yeah I checked that earlier, the injectors do pulse. What I would need to know, from what it sounds like, is if the distributor is sending the signal to the ecu and then if hte ecu is sending that pulse back to the coil? The ecu or the distributor is sending sending a signal for at least a few crank rotations before it gives up.

also no codes

scobaru

yeah even with a new distributor still the same problem. so the ecu isn't cycling for the ignitor. looking for an ecu pin out now and prob check the signal coming in prob some ecu grounds too?

scobaru

So I found the ECU pin out and in the shop manual it mentions the TDC is used for ignition timing during start up. the pin out on the ECU for the TDC is 3 and 14. now I can test continuity between the harness of the ecu to the dizzy harness but is there a way I can test if the TDC is getting the signal to that harness? or is it safe to assume the signal is getting there as long as continuity exist? if the ECU is getting all the signals from the CKP/TDC/CYP sensors but not getting the correct output to the ignition module would it be safe to say that the ECU is at fault? Is there anything I'm missing in terms of how this system works? ECU grounds I should be looking at?

Former User

Does the fuel pump prime?

Also crank the engine for 30 seconds, and then check whether any CEL codes are set.

scobaru

fuel pump primes, no CEL after 30 cranking secs

also to update there all 3 sensors are getting a signal to the ecu. something is going on with the out put to the ignitor

Former User

Compare voltage on the Yel/Grn at the ICM and at ECU connector pin A20.

scobaru

update......replaced the ECU and it consistently has spark, but the car still doesn't start, tried starting fluid and still the same. did a comp test and it had about 130-140 except one cylinder at 100 but I don't see that being low enough to not start.