Over a month ago my check engine light came on. The error code I got was 8, which is the crank/top dead center sensor.

However, my car started and ran fine. So I reset the ECU and didn't get any warning again until last week. I got the same code, and now the check engine light comes on much sooner. Despite that, the car still starts fine, although I guess if it weren't working the car wouldn't start at all.

At this point I assume I have no choice but to replace the sensor. However, it isn't cheap and the damn thing is buried down the side of the engine behind the timing belt.

So, before I invest the money and time replacing this thing I was hoping if I could get advice from anyone who's dealth with this problem before. Specifically, I was wondering if there were any way to confirm that the problem is indeed with the sensors and not a faulty connection elsewhere. Has anyone discovered something else that was triggering this error code?

Also, to anyone who's done it before, how big a deal is it the get everything out of the way to reach the sensor?

For reference, I have a 1999 base Prelude with over 95,000 miles. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

The top dead center sensor is in the distributor, and if you can find some obd2 honda dizzys at a junk yard start by replacing it in the dizzy. the one down by the oil pump is the crank speed fluctuation sensor,

also the car will continue to run fine because the computer cna use the cyp to run the car off of, but you should def fix that, check the wires going tot he distributor, and take it appart and examine all the pickup ins there for heat cracks or damange from debris