Ignition Problems, no spark?

1997 HONDA CIVIC
180,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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MARC_SKERRITT
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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?[img:bee40e9747]http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/267766_photo_1.jpg[/img:bee40e9747]
Nov 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
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JNOVACK
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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
Mar 25, 2020 at 1:24 PM
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MARC_SKERRITT
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the rotor turns just fine and like i said, the original Ignition Control Module was bad and has been replaced....
Mar 25, 2020 at 1:24 PM
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BMRFIXIT
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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

Mar 25, 2020 at 1:24 PM
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JNOVACK
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that part I am not finding to be sold individually it comes with the distributor
Mar 25, 2020 at 1:24 PM
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SBIRD1932
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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
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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BRUCE HUNT
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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STEVEAL01
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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is the distributor turning??? i suspect a possible timing belt

Roy
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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STEVEAL01
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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STEVEAL01
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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STEVEAL01
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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DANANDASH
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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
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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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
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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MXLVR27
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car sat for a year. car started and ran for 4 hours. while driving, car shut down. no spark. distributor????
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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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
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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EAGLEFB66
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Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 199k miles
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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KHLOW2008
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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.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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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.?
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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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

Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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coil testing what is a pointing at un clear pic sorry
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_exploded_view_coil_1.jpg

"A" is the positive side of the ignition coil. When you look at the coil you will see two wires going to it. The 'A' terminal is the lower stepped lead.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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thanx 4 the pic i checked the ohms and i get nothing i guess i'll b buying a new coil thanx again
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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i did check the resistants and it did check out i must not have had a good connection the first time so i guess my coil is good . where do i go from here?
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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TYWI219
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just bought the car drove it home set the alarm off and i dont have anything to disengage it so we disconnected it and it started up once i turned the car around turned it off and have not had spark since i even swaped motors cuz old one had blown head gasket so im pretty sure that it is not the distributor cuz neither motor had spark and i have replaced almost every part in the distributer im stumpt
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_igniter_2.jpg

I would follow up with an ICM(igniter) test. I know you said you swapped icm's but you may have an open wire somewhere and this diag. procedure will ensure the circuit is functioning. If the coil and ICM are fine, I will then post up a wiring schematic for the distributor where you can check all the proper signals, powers and grounds. And if that is all there then it's most likely a non-serviceable sensor inside the distributor which means you will have to replace the distributor. But test the ignitor first. Make sure all connections are tight, check fuses, make sure the cap and rotor are in good shape and the wires are properly connected. Then re-check spark. Make sure when you check spark you GROUND the spark plug or whatever you are using to test spark with.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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F4I_GUY
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Have you tried replacing the whole distributor?

Are you getting an injector pulse? Have you checked all your fuses?

Does your alarm have an ignition cut-off?

Please answer all these questions.
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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thanks 4 the help i have a bad p/up inside dist. i ordered a new dist. off e-bay thanks again
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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TYWI219
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i have not tried with a new distributor but i have two diff ones and i wouldn see how both would be bad and i have exchanged alot of the parts inside like (icm, coil, cap and rotor)

i dont know how to check the injector pulse

checked all of the fuses over and over again

yes it does but we disconnected it completly from the car dont know how it would still effect it

i looked on another website and it was showing how to get codes for the car so it will tell me exactly what is wrong but i tried it and i dont know how to do that either
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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KHLOW2008
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Hi tywi219,

At the distributor coupler, are you getting voltage to the Black/Yellow wire with ignition ON?

Does the Check Engine Light goes off after 2 seconds when ignition is turned to ON?

Since engine has just been replaced, is the ground wire at the thermostat housing securely tightened?
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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NECAXISTA
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it has just happened a few days ago that suddenly I had no fuel pressure, fuel pump not working and I even changed but it still didn't work, they I realized I had no spark, a big relay (main relay, fuel relay, spark relay... well, I don't recall what it is called) is found near the engine compartment release door, sometimes some of its solder points get separated or so, anyways that could be a pointer... try reapplying soldering or something... it may just work, before spending big bucks on anything else... good for me that my fuel pump just cost me some $45 in Tijuana, but anyways, that's just me
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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GHAMM
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Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

i have a 94 civic no spark so i borrowed a dist. from a friend and the car started up and ran great. i purchased a used dist. from salvage yard i have spark but car will not run? please help
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there, make sure that you still have fuel pressure, injection pulse, check the leads are correct and the timing is OK, start here.

mark (mhpautos)
Nov 2, 2020 at 1:59 PM (Merged)
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WISEGUY?
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did process of elimination got all the way to the spark plugs seems to be no spark?
Jan 4, 2021 at 12:25 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Disconnect the coil wire from the distributor and ground it have helper to crank it over -do you have spark, if so replace the distributor cap and rotor if not do below

No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor /distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM,Ignitor cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
Jan 4, 2021 at 12:25 PM (Merged)