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Ignition Problems, no spark?

Tiny
MARC_SKERRITT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
The car stalled out at a light then would not start up again. Once we pushed it to a safe location we pulled a plug and watched for spark to discover there was none. We then checked all the plugs, still no spark. We replace the rotor cap (the contact was a little burnt). Same result. We had the coil tested and it tested out just fine. We then had the ignition module tested and it test faulty, so we replaced it and still no spark. we went in with a DMM and tested for power. There is 12V going to the Ignition module and the Coil. I tested the connection to another part in the distributor, I do not know what it is called but it looks like a sort of pickup. If you are looking at the distributor on the car with the cover off it is in the upper left of the distributor. I do not know how to test this unit but I do know that it is not getting power. What could the problem be?


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/267766_photo_1.jpg

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 11:42 AM

35 Replies

Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
Try this so I can help you better put rotor on leave cap off turn engine over and see if rotor is turning if it is you are looking at the ignition control module if it isn't then yoyr looking at the timming belt
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
MARC_SKERRITT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
The rotor turns just fine and like I said, the original Ignition Control Module was bad and has been replaced.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If the rotor is turning as you are cranking
then my advise is to replace the distributor as a unit
as you may see in the diagram that the distributor house more then one component it has the coil and crank sensor among other things
very common to fail
save your self the time and money on replacing this or maybe that just install another distributor

need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_55.jpg

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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
That part I am not finding to be sold individually it comes with the distributor
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
SBIRD1932
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 HONDA CIVIC
I have a 1996 Honda civic DX five speed 1.5 with 90,000 miles on it. The problem is I cant get spark! It died while driving. The engine turns over fine, we pulled the cap and the rotor was turning so we ruled out timing belt. At this point we have changed out the Ignition modual, coil, cap, roter, plugs. Wires, and ECU and still no spark! Any suggestions will be a help thanks
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
You will most likely find that the cam or crank sensor is failed. I believe that the crank and TDC sensor are co-located down behind the harmonic balancer, which is the big pulley off of the crankshaft.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEAL01
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 99,500 MILES
Periodically, the car would shut off while waiting at stop sign, but will start right up. This happened twice so I ended up doing a tune up (spark plugs, wires, rotor & cap, fuel & air filters). Now the car will not fire up at all. I checked for spark at the wires and nothing. So I changed the ignitor and still nothing. Replaced the entire distributor and still nothing. Yhen I replaced the main relay. So I finally gave up when the problem still the same. Flooded with fuel because I can smell it. Checked the fuel rail and fuel filter and there is fuel flowing. I cannot figure out why there is no spark. Any suggestions? I even put all the old parts back on and again nothing. Help before I tow it to the shop and spend money I almost don't have.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Is the distributor turning? I suspect a possible timing belt

Roy
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEAL01
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Also just to clear things up further, before I installed all the new tune up parts, it did start just fine but after ideling within a minute, car just failed and never started back up.
As for the distributor, I suspected that but the rotor turns because I had to crank it to and position it to remove the rotor on this car because they are screwed down.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEAL01
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Could it possibly be the MAP sensor? Since I doubt it was the crank position sensor (when replaced with new distributor). I don't think there is nothing left, other than the ECU itself.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEAL01
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
We'll took to the shop and they stated no power coming from the Distributor. What was cool was this shop allowed me to change the distributor at their shop since I could not afford the amount they would charge. After replacing with another rebuilt distributor, fired right up. Sounds like the rebuilt distributor from autozone was a dud. Shop will do a complete check up just to make sure everything is in line. I guess the lesson from this story is that sometimes a newly rebuilt item may not always be a good functioning part. Even a new or rebuilt item wil always get through with a defect. Test test test.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANANDASH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 25,800 MILES
Few mistakes in on car listing above; 1.6L does have the vtec. Motor cranks, no start. Checked fuel, spark on ignition control module was good at first before replaced with new then nothing, changed cap and rotary button, checked all fuses and such, fuel pressure and pump fine, just stalled and died will crank but not start. No check engine light, battery light turns on when key is put to on position, SRS light stays on not sure how to clear no spot for a scan tool plug in. Battery good checked. Was told and read numerous things hit the starter, main relay, crankshaft and camshaft sensors, replace timing belt ignition control module, cap and button, etc. Could anyone please point to another direction? Thanks
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,878 POSTS
Hi:

When the engine is cranking, does it sound normally?

Here is a link that explains how to retrieve codes from this vehicle. Try this and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/honda-car-1990-1995-obd1-code-retrieval-procedure-and-definition-table

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MXLVR27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,000 MILES
Car sat for a year. Car started and ran for 4 hours. While driving, car shut down. No spark. Distributor?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Most likely you will find a fault in the distributor.

Pull the cap off (3 8mm fasteners) and examinate if there is moisture build up or if the contacts are corroded. If they are, quickly try cleaning them with sandpaper and re-install and check.

There also are a few ignition coil tests and ICM tests you can do while the cap and rotor are off. These are two high failing items on hondas. I will try and find the proper testing procedure for your vehicle.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_coil_test_2.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_igniter_1.jpg



I know these are small, if you cannot read them, LMK and i will try and make them bigger for you
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EAGLEFB66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 199k miles

My 95 civic I bought recently will not get a spark to the spark plugs, we replaced the igniter and coil, and there is juice getting to the coil but for some reason we cant get a spark through to the spark plugs. Any help would be appreciated.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi eaglefb66,

Did you check the rotor and distributor cap?

Btw, there should be a spring at the tip of the coil, make sure it is not dislodged.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GHAMM
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

is there a way to test the module p/up crank sensor in the distributor. I have no spark and ive checked the fuses, I have a strong pulsating on injectors noid light, I have power to the black and yellow wire going into the dist. With the dist. Out I have 0.2 ohms with 4 wires going to the module. I tried three different module and I still have no spark. The only thing I can think is maybe the p/ups are bad or the crk. Sensor in the dist?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
What you should test first would be the ignition coil. here are the testing procedures.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_coil_test_3.jpg

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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)

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