Just replaced the distributor on my 90 CRX w/DOHC ZC swap, and now the car won't start. It cranks but won't actually start. Any ideas?

 

Anyone?

 

Did the previous dizzy work fine? Check if theres a rotor in the new dizzy..

 

You, more than likely, installed the dizzy with the rotor upside down. If your ignition timing is messed up then the vehicle will not crank over. Check that this is the case before you start jumping to other sources for your problem.

 

Car ran with the old dizzy but I was getting a code 8 or 9 (whichever one is TDC sensor). Had a chance to pick up a new dizzy on the cheap so I went ahead an bought it since from the research I've done, the only real way to clear the TDC code is to replace the dizzy.

I'm confident that everything is installed correctly. I made sure the #1 cylinder was at TDC before I installed the new dizzy so that the rotor would be in the right position.

I'm gonna try reinstalling the old one tomorrow morning and see if it'll start.

 

Did you install the plug wires correctly?

 

I replaced the cap and rotor a few weeks ago and when I did moved the wires from the old cap to the new one by one. When I replaced the dizzy I didn't remove the wires from the cap, specifically so I wouldn't screw that up.

 

Most rotors are flat on one side to prevent this from happening, also even if it were upside down the it wouldn't stop it from cranking over.

Did u pull a wire out, put an old plug in it, put it next to a ground n see if there is spark? Also, is the dizzy 180 out where it meets the cam, cuz the notches are offset. I've seen people do this thats why i ask.

 

THE DIZZY ONLY MOUNTS ONE WAY THE NOTCH ON THE DIZZY AINT STRAIGHT ON THE CENTER SO THERES NO WAY YOUR TIMING CAN BE 180 OFF IS IT THE RITE DIZZY FOR THAT MOTOR??? CHECK THE ICM TO SEE IF YOU GOT SPARK...REMOVE AND TAKE IT TO ANY LOCAL PART STORE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHECK IT...NAPA CHECKS THOSE SO TRY THERE??...JUST A SUGGESTION

 

LOL, r u serious...
Yes it can be forced 180 out thank you, i've seen someone do it. I know cuz i got called to their house to diagnose the no-start, n found that that was the problem. Also, i had a customer also come in wit the 2 teeth broken off on the dizzy cuz they forced it in wrong then cranked the car over.

NO NEED TO YANK THE IGNITER!!!!!! do what i suggested above, its the most common way to find out if spark is being delivered all the way through the primary AND secondary parts of the ignition system. Plus it will only take about a minute to see if u have spark vs. taking everything apart n driving to the store.

 

lol yeah do that too lol sorry man wasnt really thinking but yeah that would be easier...