Hi all -

My 96 civic ex died and doesn't give off any spark. No spark at the plugs.. so I checked the coil ... no spark there either. The coil tested at the very top of the a-b range at autozone (.8 ohms). I went through a number of coil and ICM test per the manual and this nifty site I found: http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

From the tests I learned that voltage is getting to both the coil and ICM with the ignition on. However ...the ICM isn't giving the coil any signal when the engine is cranked. The voltage from the ICM to the coil goes dead when cranked.

Timing belt is on. Fuel and relay kick in. CEL light behaves correctly. So my question is .....should I:

a) replace the ICM?
b) replace the entire distributor? or
c) bring it to a mechanic for additional testing?

I don't want to spend needlessly on parts... would rather save that for gas.

Thanks for help solving the mystery.

 

sounds like you need to replace the igniter or ICM as most call it

 

If main relay is working my money is on the ICM.

 

I went back and checked for any main relay symptoms. The relay clicks as the CEL goes on for 2-3 secs and then clicks again when the CEL goes off. I hear the fuel pump swirl. Even pulled plug after cranking and you can smell gas.

The normal behavior of the CEL light would suggest the ECU is fine...wouldn't it? If so everything points to the igniter.


Modified by mlech at 4:56 PM 3/20/2008

 

Here is the simplest test..

1.) take off the wires from the ignitor to the coil...the two on top(only two)
2.) Put your twelve volt test light clip on one wire
3.) Put your test light prong on the other one
4.) Have an assistant crank the car over. If the test light lights its the coil gone bad but if it doesnt light its the ignitor.

You can replace just the ignitor MUCCCHHHH cheaper than the whole dizzy.

 

Finally got my ignition control module from Rock Auto. Popped it in and she started on the 1st crank $60 and 10 minutes of work. YES!!!

Sure beats putting in a new distributor.

 

That's a pretty good price for the ICM. Cheapest I've seen is usually about $85 bucks. It's always a great feeling to solve a problem with little hassle.