Hey all,

I just bought a 1992 Civic DX. The car drives perfectly, until you come to a stop sign. The car will sputter and die, eventually. The previous owner said her mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty distributor; does this sound right? I would think a bad distributor would affect driving as well. Any insight?

 

Seems like you got an idling problem of some sort.

 

Any CELS-Check Engine Lights?

 

Sorry, not enough info in OP. No, there are no other symptoms, including CELs. The car seems normal until you come to a stop.

 

Does this only happen after say 20 minutes of driving? If so this does point to a failed ignition coil (a part of the distributor). The distributor is the Achille's heel of this generation. Consider replacing the igniter at the same time. Use only OEM parts for anything ignition related. They pay for themselves in longevity.

The sensors in the housing are also known for failing. Fortunately the OEM dizzy housing is very inexpensive for the DX.

 

Kind of sounds like your SS sensor.

 

I have only driven it home, however, I did not start doing this until I was almost home. During the first few minutes, while warming up, the car seemed to be fine at stops. It wasn't until I was almost home that it did this.

 

If the problem only happens when stopped, then you likely have a low idle problem. Does the CEL work? If so, try cleaning the IACV.

 

RonJ, I was hoping to hear from you. It only happens when idling. Do you think it could be the distributor? I'm trying to figure out the mechanic's thinking.

 

RonJ, I was hoping to hear from you. It only happens when idling. Do you think it could be the distributor? I'm trying to figure out the mechanic's thinking.

 

could be a bad IACV-Idle Air Control Valve.. If you have a buddy with the same car, try swapping the IACV.. they are too expensive to risk buying one and end up having the same problem.. haha

 

This is enough to point strongly to a bad coil. You can check it. From my experience I would just replace it and probably the igniter, too.

 

Sounds to me like a PCV valve or TPS.

 

Clean the IACV, check your idle, if not id say replace the coil

 

Thanks guys. I think the coil has been replaced recently, as I found the old one in the glove box. I will purchase an igniter.