on my way home the other day my civic lost all of it's power and started coughing and sputtering and when I pulled over it died. It started right back up but was back firing and coughing a lot.

The next day after I got it home I went to start but it just cranked over and thats it. It isn't getting any spark at all and I just replaced the coil and igniter in the distributor. The main relay clicks when I turn the key on and then shuts off after a few seconds. Is that normal? Anyone have any ideas what could be wrong?

 

the main relay is doing it's job. its suppose to click twice.
as for your spark problem, i would check with a known good dizzy, if that dont work i would check wire harness after, if everything looks good there, lastly check with a good known ECU.
since you already replace the igniter and coil. who replaced it for you? you or a shop or a buddy? i would check the connection's to see if everything is right.
also how is your spark plugs? are they wet? fouled? burnt? ect....

i would check your spark plugs first if u havent, then your connection's in the dizzy and wire harness after.
let us know.

 

What parts of the harness should I check and where exactly is the ECU located? By "dizzy" you mean distributor? Correct?

 

Correct! Dizzy means distributor... As far as checking other parts, I'm pretty sure it the "dizzy" going bad... They really dont give any warning when they are going...

The ECU for most hondas are located behind the carpet on the passenger side where your feet rest!!!

 

even though I replaced the coil and igniter you think something else could be wrong with the distributor? Something I didn't mention before is when I first took the cap off the rotor was melted where the set screw hole is and the hole was e-longated. The dizzy is also really hard to turn, sound familiar?

 

yeah it sounds like you have a seized dizzy.
sorry to hear. it must be from when you or who-ever replaced the igniter and coil must not of put it back correctly or it was just the dizzy's time to go. .
if u have a buddy that has the same dizzy take it out and try it . but it do sound like you have a siezed dizzy.