First, I have a b17 in my 92 hatch. I hit an open manhole EXTREMELY hard a couple of nights ago, and immediately afterward the car started to hesitate and stutter. It then threw a CEL. Code 9. I went home and took the distributor off, and noticed that the screw that holds the rotor on was off, and I could see it inside the distributor. I removed the screw with a magnet and put it back where it belongs. Now the car runs like crap, just like it did right after i hit the manhole. But it runs perfect immediatly after the CEL pops on. I know it is something in the disributor, because i switched distributors with my friend and the problem and CEL were gone. Does anyone have any advise for me. Why is the car running terribly, then perfect as soon as the CEL comes on? Also, is this something I can fix myself, or am I going to have to buy a new distributor? Thanks Guys!

 

please help me out

 

try to switch it again with someone to make sure it is the distributor, if it is the distributor then the igniter is probably going bad

 

Reset the ECU and maybe check the timing.