quick story: 80mph all of a sudden car turns OFF!!! 10 seconds later a big backfire.. stop.. now the car doesn't want to turn on.. I changed the distributor cap, rotor, cables, spark plugs (NGK gapped).. and still nothing.. its not a short in fuel because the plugs are wet i can also here my fuel pump go on and i smell gas.. so now could this be my distributor gone bad? and if so how easy is it to replace? and why are there 2 different ones for my car? a TEC or HITACHI (something like that).. does it matter which one i get?

info: D16Y8 98 civic EX 30204 miles

Please help.. thanks

 

u checked if ur timing belt didnt snap?

 

actually i didn't think about that? what i did do was i took a screwdriver.. into the socket of one of the plug cables and tested to see if i see a spark and i didn't.. now is that an indication of a busted distributor?

 

yes or a busted timing belt

 

ok so then i would have to remove the valve cover to check on the belt right? its inside that plastic cream colored cover right.. now could it really be the timing belt the car has been run for about 4000 miles a year for the last 7 years.. not to mention i have never opened the engine up for any mods.. just H/I/E and i haven't redlined my car..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Genedog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok so then i would have to remove the valve cover to check on the belt right? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe not. Take off the distributor cap, have someone crank the engine over and watch the rotor. Does it turn? If so, check for spark.

 

yes it does turn.. but i see no sparks..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Genedog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes it does turn.. but i see no sparks.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
So it's narrowed down to an ignition problem. The next thing I would check is the coil.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chiovnidca &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
So it's narrowed down to an ignition problem. The next thing I would check is the coil.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I did a search on testing ignition coil and came up empty...

how do i check that? and can i just purchase that if it is that?


Modified by Genedog at 7:19 PM 5/21/2004

 

ttt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Genedog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I did a search on testing ignition coil and came up empty...

how do i check that? </TD></TR></TABLE>
With an ohm meter is one way. I don't know the specs.

 

I heard there was recall on 98 honda civics regarding their ignition switch.. but this wouldn't be my problem right?? also i checked the ohms and there fine according to hayes.. i think im going to buy the ignition coil.. try it and if it doesn't work then buy the distributor.. what do you think?

also thanks soo far for all the help..

 

pull the distributor off and see if it is easy to spin, i had same problem and it was the bearings in the distributor

 

you know what you need to do, see if you can borrow a dis from a friend if it fire than your ignitor might be bad.

 

Alright here's and update.. i checked the ohms in the distributor, i checked the voltage as well and there fine according to HAYES book.. I purchased an ingnition coil and replaced the one there and nothing.. I checked the timing belt and its not snapped.. it does seem a bit loose on the side closest to the front of the car.. I have checked all fuses.. I really don't know what it could be.. my battery died so im waiting it to charge now.. Is it true that be me tring to crank it i could mess up the timing causing damage to my valves??? i heard that from a friends mouth.. also my friends don't drive civics.. but that would of been a great idea..

 

What about a distributor from a 1999 EX.. does that fit.. my girls sister has one and i can borrow it to try to start my car.. what do you guys think? would this mess up her timing?



Modified by Genedog at 11:41 AM 5/23/2004

 

96-98 and 99-00 distributors use a different connector.

 

ok thanks.. soo scratch that idea.. it's getting towed to the mechanic tomorrow.. i really can't figure this out..

Thanks for all the help.. i'll post on here what fixed it incase anyone ever has a problem like this..

 

backfire....im assuming you checked your ignitor right?
swap ignitors and see wha happens

 

ignitor? where is it.. inside the distributor cap? is it the ignition control module your talking about?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Genedog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ignitor? where is it.. inside the distributor cap? is it the ignition control module your talking about?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes, little square thing inside the cap

 

Well car is up and running.. I just wanted to thank everyone for helping out..

I replaced the distributor and adjusted the timing.. it started up with no problems..

thanks again..