Well, just as the title states, I have a 98 civic dx and out of no where it decided it didn't wanna start. I went to school and came out about 2 and a half hours later and the car just cranks. I can also smell fuel when as it cranks and I pulled a spark plug wire out and placed a screw driver inside but I could not see spark. The spark plug wires, spark plugs, cap and rotor are all new. I checked all the fuses I thought would cause it not to have spark and I didn't notice any bad fuses. The only other item I could think of is the distributor itself. Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

If you don't have any spark, check the ignitor.

 

Where can I find that?

 

Inside the distributor.

 

Anyone have any instructions on how to get to it? does it involve removing the entire distributor? or having to re-time the engine? I really don't have much knowledge when it comes to stuff like that but im sure I can handle it.

Also, are there any signs I should look for to find out if the ignitor is bad? Also, is it part number 10 in this diagram? http://www.hondapartscheap.com/south...t=0&quantity=0

 

Any CEL codes? Check whether the timing belt snapped and test the coil:

 

I hope the timing belt didn't snap. It drove fine and then I parked the car, went to class and came back about 2 and a half hours later and it just didn't wanna start. I'll check the ignition coil tomorrow or this weekend when I get a chance.

 

I also had a cel but it was because my exhaust manifold was cracked.

 

It could be other things too... I'd get the codes ran in addition to checking your ignitor.

 

I had a cel. Its been cleared for a week or so. Since then, I haven't had another one.

 

Alright, so I tested the ignition coil now and here's what I got:

Primary winding: .08-.09 ohms

Secondary winding: 12.24 K ohms.

Its a tec ignition coil so according to the service manual, its out of spec. Do you believe those values are enough to replace it?

 

Replace it. It's clearly bad.

 

Replaced the ignition coil and still the same outcome. Car just keeps cranking. Any other ideas? I'll check the timing belt tomorrow but im doubtful it snapped since the car ran fine and I parked it and shut it off like always and then it just didnt wanna start afterwards. I'll double check for fuel as well.

 

sounds basic but check plugs and plug wires. the wires from the distributor can get loose after a while.

im no expert though.

 

1) Do you still lack spark at the plugs?

2) The easy way to check whether the timing belt snapped is to remove the oil fill cap and look into the hole with a flashlight while a buddy cranks the engine. If the rocker arms move, then the timing belt did not snap.

3) Turn the key to ON(II). Do you hear the low humming noise of the fuel pump priming for 2 seconds?

 

I say take timing cover off and let someone else try starting car... See if the Cam wheel is spining???

 

Well, I had a chance to work on the Honda after work and now it runs. The Ignition coil was bad and I just want to thank everyone especially RonJ.

The funny thing is that I took the valve cover off and made sure the timing belt didn't break as well as starting it and looking through the oil cap to see if the rocker arms moved which they did. I then made sure I had fuel by unbolting the fuel filter line and fuel pumped out. I checked for spark again and I still had no spark. After doing all that, I decided to double check my work and this is where I found the problem. Yesterday, I was in a rush to install the new ignition coil since I had to go to school and when I installed it, one of the wires from the ignition control module came apart. So i put everything back together and it fired after jump starting it since the battery was just about dead lol. I'm glad it was an easy and pretty cheap fix and now I can drive it once again. I really appreciate all the help considering I could have spent a lot more money if I did end up bringing the car to a shop.

 

Hello everyone, I know you fixed your car, but ... I have the exact same problem with mine ... I just wanna know, what exactly you replaced ? Did you replace the Ignition Coil ? the Igniter ? the Ignition Distributor ?

I don't know much about that stuff ... I already checked the fuses they seem OK, the fuel pump still works when starting..looks really like you, I don't seem to have a spark to fire it up..

If you could just tell me what you replaced, that would make my day.

Thank you.

 

Hello, I just spent 3 days troubleshooting this problem on my sons 2000 ex.
He took it to lunch and it ran fine, parked it, and after work we ended up towing it to my house.
All very good info here. However, I checked the coil and it was in spec. We had spark at the plugs when the plugs were grounded on the head but not even a fart with either when installed.
The coil had light grey tracks, looks like fog, around the framework for the coil. Now I am a stranger to Honda systems but on my Chevs, the fog is a breakdown of the coil.
Instead of replacing the whole distributor we opted for the coil. The car fired right up.
Point being....look at the coil around the metal frame. If it has light grey film like gunpowder burn then it is bad. I believe this is caused by bad plug wires or old plugs. The gap on the plugs I took out was .090 from wear. This causes the coil to work harder and coupled with bad or old wires the spark travels the line of least resistance.
The spark jumps through a minute crack in the coil casing and leaves the grey tracks.
Just thought I would relate my experience because no one mentioned it and I have only seen this one other time in 40 years.
God bless and good luck.

 

if amybody knos the problem i have a 94 eg hatch with a b20b swap with a obd1 vtech b16 head i drove it parked came back out it just turned over no spark so changed the dizzy still no spark just turn over wont start

 

I am having same prob as well,also 98 civic,turns over but no spark,have replaced spark plugs,dist cap,rotor,ignitor,coil,main relay,checked fuses and still no luck...any idea's ?

 

You should of bought the whole distributor, and not one by one. or if you can take them out clean them and return them and save money for a whole dizzy.

I've the same problem but I'm just waiting to get my money together and get the whole thing.

and It might be a TDC sensor. I have a 98 too and the tdc sensor if i am right its in the distributor(dizzy).

so its better to change it all up at once. because if you buy it piece by piece tis gonna be more money spent.