Hey all. Just got a 91 ef sedan for $100. Guy said he couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. Said he though it jumped time or the belt was broken. After inspecting the belt, I found it wasn't broken, so I checked the marks. Marks are still lined up. And has decent compression. No mods, everything is bone stock with 137k miles. Any suggestions? About to replace the belt anyway.

 

 

yep keep it simple
id get it running before you go trying to replace that timing belt

 

probably the ignitor in the dizzy.

 

I bought my first 90 civic under the same exact circumstances. Seller swore the timing belt snapped. Towed the car home and pulled the valve cover and saw the belt was still intact. I pulled the distributor cap off and the rotor button fell off as soon as the cap was removed. The screw that holds the rotor button on the distributor shaft had backed out. Attached the rotor button with a screw and had the car back on the road.

 

I'll have to wait until this weekend to check out anything else. I appreciate all the responses. It's definitely getting air and spark and I can smell gas. Don't know if it's not getting injector pulse. I'll definitely look into the dizzy.

 

Okay, replaced the ICM and the ignition coil as well as main relay and still no start. I also learned that we have no cam or crank sensors.

 

Well if you're getting ignition/spark, your ICM and coil aren't bad... or at least not bad enough to not let it start.

Is it trying to start or just cranking and no attempt to ignite?

 

There is almost no attempt to start. Every now and again, it'll sputter like it wants to start, but then I get nothing. I ended up replacing the ignition coil due to it being cracked and arcing to mounting screws.

 

 

First, verify mechanical timing (all timing marks line up exactly). Check spark at plugs and verify plug firing order on cap. If plugs are wet, you are also getting fuel. If still no start, check compression on all cylinders. Report back with your findings.

 

Plugs are on like this:
|3 4| 4 3 2 1->
|1 2|

Will have to wait until the weekend to check compression. Almost positive timing is dead on.