1990 base model 3dr
zc sohc swap (mpfi conversion)

car ran fine for 6+ months
new battery, starter, fuel pump and filter, new plugs

main relay was recently replaced

problem: car cranks but doesn't start every time. got it to start once after changing fuel pump, idled fine, went to drive off and car died

i've checked the main relay, ignition switch, plugs/wires, cap and rotor look good

i know i'm getting fuel to the cylinders

i think it could be the key cylinder/ignition switch or the weak yellow spark i'm getting at the plug and coil

i tested spark by pulling a plug wire, attaching a spark plug and grounding it, got a dim/weak yellow spark; did the screw driver method as well, same result. pulled a spark plug wire at the coil, same weak yellow spark (http://techauto.tripod.com/ as guide on how to do most of the testing i've done)

could the coil or something at the distributor be bad?

 

Cheapest thing to do first would be the cap and rotor. seems like if the rotor was making poor contact with the cap it would give weak spark.

 

Any cel? If not try testing the coil. This link has. A right up how to do ithttps://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2624753

 

NO CEL

going to throw on a new cap and rotor, crossing finger, but not too hopeful


a lot of the issues i'm reading about bad distributors/coils/ICMs have NO spark, where i have a weak looking yellow spark

the distributor has 40K miles or so (as does the engine), not 150K, which is the indicated lifespan in the link you posted for a distributor

 

Any other ideas anyone?

 

i was expecting a update to the previous thread you created lol...!!!

 

Ground cab;es

 

This is a more informative one now.
Fix'd, and grounds are all good.

Anyone else?

 

fuel injectors? Let me know if you get it fixed, I've got the same set up but automatic and carb looking intake mani. My pump doesn't work, but worked on and off. now it doesn't.

 

how recent did you replace the main relay? try changing that again.

 

Up.

 

dizzy coil pack? I fixed my crx, my problem was the main relay, even though it still clicked and everything, I changed it and it runs great again.