Hi all. Great info here, thanks for letting me post. I'll try to keep problem description short, but could still seem long. Ask for more info if needed.

History: 1991 CRX DX car, entire drive train from 1989 CRX HF. Now about 165K miles on everything. Couple years, maybe 20K miles since swap. After some initial sorting out, no real head scratcher problems 'til now.

Symptoms: Was on exit ramp of highway, engine seemed to shut off. Initially threw codes 12 (EGR, old news, been intermitant) and 8 (TDC, first time for this one). Would crank but not restart, towed car home.

Troubleshooting so far: Cleared codes by pulling 4-way fuse for 30 sec. Checked TDC circuit, per Honda shop manual. Sensor resistance 400ohms at dist. and from ECU end. About 0.5vac signal from sensor when cranking.

Spark looks good when cranking with all plugs out on valve cover and connected. Checked cam timing, rotor button position, both OK. Compression felt good when hand rotating crank to check cam, etc. TDC rotor timing looks good. Tried spraying starting ether down intake and cranking as quick & dirty test for fuel delivery issues, but no change. (Didn't even try to fire on ether!)

At some point, noticed CEL again & new codes: 6, 8, 9, 10, 13. WTF!? Cleared codes, CEL & codes haven't returned. Maybe 1989 ECU was having a senior moment?

Noticed #1 cyl sense rotor matches cyl 2 or 3, not 1 or 4. Didn't seem loose on dist. shaft. Does it normally match only #1, or some other cyl?

At this point, Honda manual diagnostic chart says replace ECU (computer) or entire ignition distributor. Obviously not looking forward to either, particularly if not certain to get running again. (Where's an icon for scratching head and banging on wall? )

Would like suggestions for further isolating problem, known cures for similar issues, etc.

Thanks!!!

 

another thing to check is the main relay. my car would all the sudden die and i try to crank it over but no go. so i hear main relays were things that cause that problem so i changed mine and it starts up everytime and doesnt stall out. theres a diy in the faq sticky if you need it.