There is no spark?

Hi hallucidrummer,

Yes, when sparks are not available, the distributor is the first thing to check.Test for battery voltage to the Black/Yellow wire with ignition switch turned ON and while cranking. If voltage is available, then you need to test the ignition coil and ignition control module (ICM)

This guide will help us test for spark.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please run down this guide and report back.

My Honda civic dies while driving down the road it turns over but will not crank it isn't getting any spark to the spark plugs. we have replaced the distributor, distributor cap, spark plugs,computer, and timing belt. we also had the ignition module, coil, and plug wires checked they are fine. The autoscan machine at autozone kept saying error. it is getting fuel cuz the spark plugs are wet and smell of gas..please help we are stumped!!

Inspect and test the crankshaft positioning sensor-

i forgot to say we did that too. it worked fine we even put another one on it just to make sure and it still won't crank.

How are you testing spark?
Have you verified that the distributor is actually turning?
Have you taken a compression test?
Were all these parts replaced in an attempt to resolve this specific problem.

taking the spark plug out and putting it on the end of the plug wire it belongs to and grounding it to the engine and cranking the car. yes the distributor is actually turning. And no we havent taken a compression test. and yes all these parts were only replace to fix this problem.

Did you mark the distributor before you replace it?

Be sure to check fuse #8

well how we knew that it was turning was cuz the screw distributor cap button was no longer visible. and we have checked all of the fuses and none of them are blown. could it possibly be my main relay?

im sorry i read the question wrong yes we marked the distributor before we put the new one on.

Could be the main relay-test it

how do we do that? and do u know where it is located in a 1998 honda civic dx? and how to get it out properly?

Didn't see Wrench EWD -check the ignition switch if there's no power at coil positive terminal

there is power at the coil. it reads voltage. everything in the distributor has been replaced or checked. can u tell me where the main relay is located and how to test it?

If you have working injectors there is nothing wrong with the main relay.

well i just got it our..can u tell me how to test it just in case. we will try anything at this point. we cant figure out what could be wrong with it after all the things we have replaced. and where is the fuse #8 u were talking about?

What else could it be? Please help!

its cranking but won't start. it's a new spark plugs, wires and distributor ignition system assembly but still i can't get a sparks from my spark plugs. i removed the distributor cap and checked the spark from the main output of my ignition coil while cranking, no sparks. checked the input voltages from ignition control module with my dvom while cranking, i'm getting .320mv.
my question, is my new distributor unit has something to do with manufacturer made? like it is made in taiwan. would i need to buy the original distributor unit that made from honda or japan? 2nd, i don't have an engine check is lit on my dash board. i also checked with my obdii for diagnostic. no error or code found. what else is my problem? need help . thank you.

Hi LABADIL,

Did you check if the camshaft is turning?
A broken timing belt would not produce any sparks as the distributor would not be turning.

Yes, my camshaft is turning and my timing belt is ok. I'm still looking where the source of voltage supplying the ignition control module through the ignition coil. I even tried spraying my TP valve to be sured I have a fuel going through my combustion. I crank it no luck..
Anyway, I thank you so much for the tips you have sent to me. I really appreciated of your great response. Hope you will continue helping the people who are trying hard to get succesful of their troubleshooting. I get encourage more if fixed bymyself. Pls don't lose your patience. Thank you.

At the distributor, is there battery voltage to tyhe Black/Yellow wire with ignition switch turned AND while cranking? If voltage is not present, it could be a blown fuse or a bad ignition switch. A blown fuse would be indicated by the dash lights not showing.

First of all is to thank you for all your time. This to inform you and to follow up your responsed. As what you've mentioned to check the black/yellow wires from the ignition coil. Yes, i checked it but i don't get power + & - to primary windings. But fortunately after struggling under the sun this passed 5 days. I finally found the problem. The new distributor unit that I bought is not working at all.. I don't know if it is bad or because it is made of taiwan. I borrowed the used distributor unit from my friend shop which is originally from honda civic. After installed it, the engine started. I didn't investigate why.. i only did iis returned the unit to the vendor and give my money back. Now i'm so happy because my troubleshooting is in the right track. i almost change the pcm. Of course with all your tips that also helps me to figured out. I hope that this problem could also helps to anyone for troubleshooting guide. fyi
Thank you.

Thank you for the input and glad to know you have fixed the problem.

Have a nice day.

Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Tested the ignition control module and the coil pack in the distributor. They both tested good, so I then checked all fuses to make sure power was being supplied to provide spark. However there is no power going to the #1 and #2 position on the ignition module. There is no codes present now as they were cleared when the battery was disconnected. But there were these codes present before 300, 301, 302,303 and 304.

I changed the distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires for a tune up and the vehicle was running poorly before I started this endevor. Now it will not start and it is definately not getting any spark at the plug.

Help??!!

Hi wolfdentd,

When sparks are not present at plugs and you have power to the ignition coil Black/Yellow wire, the most likely problem is a faulty ignition coil. Did you make sure the rotor is turning while cranking engine?

thanks for the input. Got it figured out. the coil was only showing 9.5 Ohms of resisrance when the secondary windings call for 11.5-14.5 Ohms.

It is getting gas

Check the distributor, especially the ignition coil. Ensure you don't have a failed timing belt.

I dont have power to the distributor

The Black/Yellow wire receives battery voltage direct from ignition switch and is power supply is missing, you are not going to get any sparks. It could be a faulty ignition switch or a break in the circuit.

Turn ignition switch on and note if the dash warning lights are all working. Turn key slowly to start and note if the lights go out all at once. If engine starts or tries to start and stalls when key is released to return to run position, you have a bad ignition switch.

I have no power to the black and yellow wire. And all the lights stay on.

Attach a fuse 10 A wire to the Black/Yellow wire adn connect to a power supply source and try starting. If it works, you need to trace the break between ignition switch and distributor.

And if it dosent work?

That most probably means you have given me the wrong or missing information.

You mentioned no power to it so it should work even if it is a fault with the wire harness or ignition switch.

Okay i will try it how will i know if its the ignition switch?

You would need to test it. With ignition switch turned on and while cranking, the Black/Yellow wire MUST have battery voltage.
You need to remove the steering column cover to get at the wires.

1998 Honda Civic DX - Died going up a hill. When attempting to start the car, and the key (switch) is in the start position, the motor turns over, there is gas and no spark. When the key is released to the run position nothing happens. As the key is turned to the OFF position ONE PLUG FIRES. When in the car one cylinder will fire � when the plugs are out of the motor you can watch one cylinder fire.

only one cylinder fires? or do they all. is the one that fires bright and blue?

does it only fire when disconnected or when cranking

It worked I am going to work on it some more tonight. Thanks for the help.

Only one fires and the only spark is when the key switch is turned from run position to the off position ( the plug that the rotary button is at)