A friend of mine's 91 civic wagon recently died while driving. He pulled over and couldn't get it to start...it does crank though. I went with him to check it out and tried starter fluid. Nothing just cranks so I figure it's not a fuel problem and I figure air most likely isn't a problem either.

oh. it also makes a really deep toned pop sound after the cranking slows. I have no idea if that is an indicator of some sort of problem. I think its the spark. How can I check and what might be the most plausable cause. I really appreciate any suggestions. Meanwhile I'll keep searching on here, in a jam big time...Thanks all.

 

article on trouble-shooting a "No-start":
http://autorepair.about.com/cs...a.htm

Probably distributor/ignitor or the timing belt broke...
Pull off the distributor cap and make sure the rotor spins when you crank it..
also inspect inside the cap/rotor..

 

ignitor is fucked!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89hbcivicguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ignitor is fucked!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thats what I thought.
Most likely dizzy-related

 

thanks, i'll check it out tomorrow.

 

so basically i'm looking at the main relay could be screwing with both the fuel and the spark or distributer problems.

I wasnt sure what to listen for for the fuel pump....its usually a whining sort of sound....but i did try starter fluid and it definately wasn't igniting.

will checking the rotor tell me if I should have spark? I dont have access to a spark tester. Poormans way anyone?

I checked the fuse panel and everything looked fine. but I didn't have a voltometer on hand. can you tell if a relay is done for.....I have always switched relays with something insignificant to eliminate that possibility...anyone know any tricks? Thanks again. I will probably have him get a rotor and cap to try tomorrow unless there is another posibility.

It seems the general consensus so far is that the distributor is toasted.

 

poormans way to check for spark would be to pull out one of the spark plug wires and stick a screwdriver in it(make sure it contacts the terminal) and hold the wire so that the metal shaft is close to a ground like the valve cover nut. Be careful not to touch the screwdriver or youll get shocked. while you do this get someone to crank the engine over for a few seconds. if its got spark youll see it clearly.
you might want to check your compression too. the rings may have given up since its a 91 wagon(original motor?) ....

 

yes. original motor. I can't reallys see it being the rings. Isn't that a more gradual wearing instead of an all of a sudden problem?

 

Sorry i didn't get back sooner...

Unbelievable. Took the Distro Cap off. The rotor which is supposed to have a screw holding it onto the shaft was gone and never to be found. I guess maybe vibration gradually mad it come loose.

Also. I got that back on. still wouldn't start and i'm thinking "No way, that had to have been the problem"

I thougt it may have been flooded with gas. I read somewhere that if you push the accelerator when you start the car, the computer senses it and cuts the gas from being sprayed into the cylinders...

so everything is working great now...THanks everyone.

 

I had the same problem with my 90 hatch a while back. No spark, no start!

I tried my buddies distro, wires, ecu. Still no start or spark.

After days, I finally narrowed it down to the main relay under the driver dash. Changed it out and bang good as new. Good luck and i hope this helps.

 

hope you didn't install the rotor 180 deg. off? do you have spark now?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by egtwincam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hope you didn't install the rotor 180 deg. off? do you have spark now?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Even if it was it would still get spark.