Acquired a 99 with no/weak spark. Replaced ignition coil. Still no dice. Interesting symptom I’ve never run into, or know anyone who has. With the key turned on, but not running, there is a sizzling/shorted sound coming from the distributor. Would this be a bad igniter? I’ll continue to diagnose, just wondering if someone has seen this. Video attached.

 

Remove the distributor and carefully inspect all of the internals, especially the wires. Posting some pictures of what you see would be helpful.

 

I’ve been posting videos of the sound, as well as one with the cap and dust shield off. Are they not showing? The coil is arcing around distributor as soon as you turn the key on. Almost like there is no pulse signal. Only an continuous energize situation.

 

Bump.

 

No posted videos are found.

 

This whole video is worthwhile but if you want to see what condition the igniter is start around minute 5.

 

I would presume the distributor is dead. I've had to replace these on civics over the years fairly consistently (meaning over 100k or so it's no uncommon for me to see one die and then I replace it).

My current civic has 128,000 and still on original, of which I am surprised.

 

Would that explain why the coil is literally arcing around the distributor when you turn the key on? Even before you crank? You can see small arcs of voltage. This website won’t let me post an iPhone video.

 

Long story version. The car was driven 2 hrs to me after sitting for a while. No problems other than some sputters from presumably bad gas. Pull it in my garage, running fine. Turn off, hook up cheap Bluetooth scanner, read cat code. Clear code, problems ever since. Now it won’t even comm with the scanner. This cars not even worth the money to keep throwing parts at it, but it’s not mine. I’ve been told obd scanners can’t mess up the Ecm, but the timing is uncanny.

 

Check your Thermostat housing engine harness ground and make sure it is clean and tight.