Hello all. I'm looking for some feedback as I know there are very knowledgeable people on here for these cars.

I was driving my '91 Honda Civic hatchback (stock d15b2) two days ago and it completely shut off on me without any bogging or anything first. I assumed it was my battery and tried to jump it, but that didn't help. My lights and electrical components are all working fine.
I checked the ECU today and it is throwing a code 8, searched it and found out it was the distributer. Should I do anything else before I shell out and pickup and new distributer, or should I just do that? (low on cash and want to make sure I am diagnosing it properly).

Thanks for any help!

 

Pull off your distributor cap and make sure the rotor and rotor screw are properly fastened

 

check timing Belt Also may have broken?

 

Code 8 = dead TDC sensor inside distributor.

As someone else said make sure the timing belt didn't snap. Simply have someone turn the key to spin the engine over, and look in the oil cap hole to see if the camshaft is spinning.

If the t-belt is intact then you need a new distributor, period. I strongly suggest not buying a distributor from your local parts store (Auto Zone, Advance, etc.) because they sell 100% garbage.

You need to check out Richporter Technologies/Distributor King. Their distributors are sold 100% completely assembled and include the distributor case with sensors, ignition coil, ignitor, rotor, and cap. These are brand new units, not reman junk. My shop used to use these exclusively, and I personally ran one in my old 11:1CR SOHC build 8 years ago...that engine is still running flawlessly with the RT/Distributor King dizzy in it.

 

Thanks for the info guy's!

I shot a video of my engine head with my phone while I tried to start the car.

This is what happened: http://imageshack.us/clip/my-videos/201/lwf.mp4/

I guess it isn't my distributer as I thought. . . gonna take off the timing belt cover tomorrow and inspect it (hard to believe because my mechanic told me he replaced it about 3 weeks ago).

Thanks again!

 

Oh man that sucks.

 

Hey man me and my boy were driving his hatch " ef with a b16" and it did the same thing same it had a tps code, and sumthing else and it turned out to just be the coil just went bad idk if u figured it out yet for urs but that might help

 

Maybe he didn't get the belt tensioned properly? Hope it didn't bend any valves.

 

I was gonna say your ignition switch wires but if your ecu is giving you a dizzy code it's a good chance your ignitor needs replacing. Very typical for hondas of any model ~175k+- to have them die suddenly. I buy civics with this problem frequently, fine running then stops out of nowhere but with spark, fuel, and good compression it can take some people longer to track down. Hope its the same for you, good luck!

 

ignition coil or rotor

 

Thanks for the suggestions guy's, but it turned out to be my timing belt. I've been trying all day to get my crank pulley off so I can install a new belt and water pump, but have not been successful doing so. I'm gonna try the "bumping the starter technique" next.


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Impact and compressor brah

 

Yeah that's what I'm gonna have to do. . . already broke three wrenches trying the last method of starting and letting the pulley crank it off.

 

I think you need better tools

But yeah, an impact will pop it right off there.

 

i knew it timming belt good luck with that main bolt its a pain in the butt. i used a impact air gun!!!

 

Okay I went out and picked up a compressor and some air tools, and was finally able to get the pulley bolt off. Installed the new belt, but wasn't able to get the lower timing belt cover back on (AC roller was in the way, and could not take it off). Is it bad the leave the lower timing belt cover off? I know it's there to keep debris out, but I have the splash guard, and it does a pretty good job. I do have the top cover on, but the bottom one wouldn't go on!

Has anyone else left the lower cover off?

 

No, don't leave that cover off. It's necessary to set ignition timing.

 

Damn! I already have everything back together and it seems to be fine. I hate to do it, but I'm gonna wait to the warm weather rolls in because it sucks working on your car in the freezing cold. Hopefully everything can hold up till then!

 

Be careful driving it in the snow. It wouldn't take much snow packing in between the timing belt and gear to cause the timing to slip. I've seen it happen on a friends car with sand.

 

Thanks, I definitely will be careful driving in bad weather. . . and I'm just gonna wait till we have a warm day up here and take it apart; pick up a good small socket wrench , so I can get the AC roller that's in the way, and put the lower cover back on! I thank you all for your feedback, as it helped me greatly!

 

ATTN: Crank Pulley Bolt
"Bumping the Starter Technique" from my experience, actually tightens the crank pulley bolt, instead of loosening it.