Alright, boyz of the Integra forum read this and weep with me:

Long story (start here):
I just bought a '96 Integra GS-R. 13 days after I got it, I was coasting up to a stop sign in neutral and the car died sending the Check Engine light on immediately. So there I am screwed like hell out in BFE and my car won't turn back on. I had it towed to my mechanic. He says, "Well your car has no spark, probably the distibutor, but I don't work on that." So he then had the car towed to European Import Autoservices. So the mechanic from EIA says that the distributor has to replaced, however you can't buy a whole distributor, you have to buy the parts seprately and put them back together. The kicker is that he doesn't perform that process and will have to send the actual part else where, have them order all the parts, fix it, return it to him, install it in my integra and then my car would be fixed. This will take ATLEAST a week. The cost of that he says, would be $775!!!!!!!! What ?? Why??? So I call the Acura dealership nearest me... and talk to the parts dealer. He says that it cost $750 to buy the parts to put together a distributor. Holy **** that's alot of money for a part the size of a softball. Well now what... Nobody 'effin does the work, and the parts are outragouesly expiensive.

Short story (Start here):
I just bought a '96 Integra GS-R. 13 days later the car has no spark, probably the distibutor. Where the car is now the cost to fix it would $775, why... because the parts must be bought seperately, you cannot just buy a whole distributor from the dealership. The cost of those parts is $750.

Where I am now:
I've spoken about this problem with a few people. I have heard that I can purchase an aftermarket distributor, possiblibly an MSD, off the good ol'internet. My co-worker and buddy's older brother is a certified mechanic and said that he would do the labor at low or no cost. I am hoping that this route would save me lots of money. However I do have some questions about it before I make up my mind.

My concerns:
1. The car is at an automechanic already. I will have a bill there no matter what at this point for what they've already done, which is... diagnostics, and remove the broken distributor. I can wait one week and have the car fixed and back at the cost of $775. This will be a new OEM distributor from the Acura dealer.

2. I am unsure of whether or not to buy the aftermarket parts. I do not have experience with this so I am not aware if I can buy a whole distributor offline. I did a quick search and saw some MSD Distributor Caps. To me though a Distributor Cap sounds more like an accessory to a working distributor, not a replacement.

My Questions:

1. Can I buy a replacement distributor offline?
a. If yes, what kind should I get, perferably a bad *** one.

2. If I am replacing my distributor with aftermarket parts, should I buy Ignition and wires to match.

3. What would be the most ecconomical (money-effective) way to go about getting this problem fixed? Have the guys EIA continue with their way of getting it fixed... or buy aftermarket parts and have my friend's brother fix it?

If you have taken the time to read all of this thank you very much even if you don't have any good advice. If you have some good advice though, or any answers to my questions please repost.

 

Distributor King. Cheaper than OEM and better.

 

get a re-built distributor.....

but i would sooner try replacing the igniter before i would replace the whole distributor. if you have or know someone with the proper service manual to go through the proper procedure in checking the distributor/coil/igniter then go for it. the igniter is under 100 bucks and allot of times thats all that need replacing for a no spark problem.

 

if you can afford the time. Get your car home or to where ever your friend's brother's shop. You dont want to pay for garage fees or whatever they call it for taking up space at the shop you are at now. Tell them thanks and you will pay for the diagnostic. (check how much first)

then wait and buy a good Distributor and wires.


Modified by Solscud007 at 12:52 AM 6/1/2006

 

^^^^Like they said.

I was in the EXACT situation about a month ago, unfortunality my car had to be towed on 3 different occasions where it finally ended up and being diagnosed at the acura dealership. 900 bucks down the ******* , but hey at least she runs now

 

Dude, Seriously, what theFuck, 700+ for dizzy work?!
Get your car out of there, and back home now.

Taking apart your dizzy, and putting new pieces in is Simple, and I mean Simple,
it's even Easier to put a completely new one on, 3 bolts, and two plugs. (1plug if you're obd2)

either buy some dizzy online, like the site someone mentioned, or ebay.

You can also try picking up a new coil-pack from autozone, or the such,
maybe that's all that has to be replaced for it to be in working condition again.

Either way, get your damn car back home and away from those "mechanics",
All you need is a 12mm wrench or socket, and a screwdriver to change your Dizzy.

 

My distributor went out last month too. Just buy a reman one from an auto parts store its only around 200$. The ignitor is easy to replace all you need is a phillips head screwdriver if im not mistaken. DIY and save a ton.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/DISTRIBUTOR-KING

I got one of those early last year and have had NO problems with it. Do a search on the name and you will see all kinds of good feedback on him.

 

I just had the same problem, only I had my friend tow my car to my house with his truck cost = 0
diagnosed myself = 0
ordered distributor off distributor king = 150
Put it in, same place as the old one, = almost 10 minutes of my time and zero bucks.

So for 10 minutes of my time and 150 bucks I was set. DIY can't beat the price.

 

If you are going to pay $750 for distributor work then there better be some **** involved on their end.

 

I got a dizzy from autozone for about $200

 

i bought the msd distributor, ignition control, and blaster coil about a week ago. installed it myself, isnt very hard. its a basic install. i paid $430 with 2 day shipping. It runs amazing. I feel a big difference around 7000-8000rpms. its much smoother. highly recommended.

 

My GSR died on me last month and would not start..I got it towed to my house. It was clear that there was no spark so the first thing i did was buy a new Coil straight from Honda, took the dizzy off put the coil in (very simple) and she started right up. I agree with others..get your car out of there and to your house or your buddies house and start with replacing the coil/ignitor.

 

skip the msd... (not too good of an idea unless you have serious power for it.)
go on ebay and buy a stock one for about 150-200. the distributor is held on by 3 bolts. the only problem is ignition timing. (mech friend??) oh and the dist. on ebay is warrantied for a year. you wont have any problems with it.