I have a 96 civic with a 1.6l SOHC engine in it.

The other day I was going to work and the engine just died. It would not restart
.
I checked timing when I got home and it was OK.
I checked for spark at #1 cylinder and I have it.
While plug is out, and engine is turned over you can smell fuel out of that cylinder.
The fuel pump does come on for the 2 seconds when the relay fires at key on
I have checked everything I know of. A fuel pressure guage is not easily done with that stupid banjo fitting. But I seem to be getting fuel to cylinder. I know it may be wrong pressure but that will wait to be checked until I check any other more common but less known fixes are attempted.

I am really stumped because the car was running fine when it stopped.

BTW the car did suffer from the dreaded IACV revving up and down from the day we bought it last month. But wouldn't think that is related but that is why I mention it, because I din't know.

Your help is greatly needed so I can save a repair bill for something simple.
I know there is a similar thread right now but I didn't want to hijack it.

Scott

 

So I checked spark in dark and it is orange-yellow instead of bright blue.

I also sprayed starting fluid in the throttle body and still no spark.

I also covered the throttle body with a thick rag trying to check for a vacuum leak. Still nothing even remotely sounding like it wants to try and start.

I would check compression but the yellow spark leads me to think it may be electrical.

I need help and will do whatever you suggest if you help me.

Scott

 

If you have a multimeter, check the resistance of all the spark wires to make sure it isn't too high. I don't know too much about all the things you can use a multimeter for in testing a car or trying to figure out what the problem is so if anybody can, please elaborate on this issue.

 

ok so i'm having the same problem with my 97 civic SOHC 1.6l. I've got spark and fuel and all that jazz and no luck, i've tried everything i can think of. I'll keep you posted if you keep me posted.

 

whats the status on you 2?

 

I have spark and I am getting fuel. When I try and start it just cranks and cranks I haven't checked my timing or compression yet. and I have no idea how to check for fuel pressure. I've done everything I can think of that I do know how to do though and nothing.

 

check your main relay...

 

main relay is fine, new, and my fuel pump is turning on.

 

plus

 

and it clicks when u turn the key and again when u go to start it

 

So I worked on it again.Here are the latest results......

I checked compression and the cylinders were 110,110,125,110 respectively.
I also changed my plugs. Went with NGK platinum plugs.
I checked fire after that and I notice it fires yellow twice and then nothing after that.
I checked voltage at coil from Module and I have 12 volts. With meter still on there while cranking, voltage drops from 12 to 9.5 or so. That is obviously with the cap off as you know.

I'm still trying to troubleshoot because I hate throwing parts at something trying to guess.

Does my TEC distributor have an igniter?
Is the voltage to coil supposed to drop from 12V to 9.5V while the engine is cranking?

If I have 12V to coil with key on, does the problem have to be in coil , rotor, cap or wires?


Still looking for help. I am willing to follow any advice.

Scott

 

mine does the same specs and it doesn't start so i cant help you with that, but i bought a new coil and it still does it so i'm doubting it's the coil..and the rotor and cap hardly go bad, i've got new wires too and nothing

 

keep me updated though bc i'm at a loss and running out of money to continue throwing parts at it

 

This a manual transmission right? Try to push start the vehicle (assuming you know how) as this could be a weak battery, 9.5v while cranking seems low. Push starting it (properly of course) would be able to dismiss most of the causes of why it won't start if you can get it to start.

 

i've gone through two brand new batteries. and it still dropped don'e to 9.5v. maybe this is what is required.

 

wow spark and fuel it should start? i would like to start with the obvious. any CEL's? have you checked the thermostat ground to make sure its clean and intact? have you held down the gas pedal while cranking to see if it remotely back fires? and you say its not kicking at all but its sparking? are you sure your ECU is working properly, and your fuses are good? only other thing i could think of is the injectors arent working properly perhaps.

 

Well I bought a distributor at Autozone today and just changed it. It fired right up and is running good. I think it must have been the igniter which is part of the distributor and can't be changed separately like earlier year models.

I paid 215.00 and it took less than 5 minutes to change. I suspected this all along but didn't want to gamble till I exhausted all possibilities. I hate throwing parts at a problem.

Scott

 

You can still change the igniter seperately. I don't know if you can buy it seperately, but you can very definately change it. Any OBD1 or OBD2 D or B-series igniter will work btw.

 

went to autozone and bought a new dizzy and it fired right up, thanks bro hellz yeah four months of problems and five minutes to fix it