Hey y'all,

This is my first post on this forum - i've done my best to search around to see if I can find an answer to this question but haven't had any luck.

I put a 1988 D16A6 1.6L SOHC engine into my 1990 RT4WD Civic Wagon last year. {The cam shaft broke on the previous engine! ). All's been well with this used engine, but a week or so ago the check engine light came on - 9 blinks means No. 1 Cylinder Position Sensor - sounds like this usually happens as a result of the bearing failing. From poking around here, folks have described a red dust within the distributor cap after they remove it, or oil inside the cap. (https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...ation-1558301/)

I took mine off yesterday and didn't find any oil or red dust, but corrosion on the ignition coil tower that protrudes into the cap with a little spring out of it to catch the spark from the rotor (sorry if this isn't the right lingo, I'll post some pics that will hopefully make it more clear).


corroded/burned up ignition coil tower and rotor

corrosion inside diz cap


Since I don't see the symptoms of a bad bearing (if so, I'd get a new distributor), I'm wondering if I can just replace the ignition coil - for $20 or less on rockauto. Or, should I fork out $70 for this that was pulled off the same model & year engine https://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Honda-...U/253859185277. It sounds like getting a new aftermarket dizzy is a bad idea so I'd rather go with this old OEM.

It's OBD0, everything is stock except an after-market air filter and a monster 770 cold crank battery cuz I live in Vermont now.

Any help appreciated! Thanks!