[coldtotouch]

I'm pretty sure its the distributor, can you guys help me confirm.

When i turn the car to the ON position i can hear the fuel pump priming.
When i crank it i can hear the starter going, but she won't start.
I tried changing the plugs/wires and have had no luck.
I'm assuming its the distributor, should i change the cap/rotor, or the whole distributor as a next step?

ideas?

 

[toxiclows]

Did you check to see if you are getting any spark?

 

[coldtotouch]

Did you check to see if you are getting any spark?

I did not, infact i'm not sure how to be honest. Let me look that up in more detail.

Ok after briefly searching, i'm still lost... I've found ways to test my sparkplugs, but i don't need to, as i changed the plugs so i know they'll be ok.

 

[jfrolang]

the way I've always checked for spark, is to remove a spark plug and plug it into a spark plug wire, and then ground the threads against a valve cover bolt. Then you have someone crank the car and you'll be able to see the spark plug sparking.

 

[coldtotouch]

the way I've always checked for spark, is to remove a spark plug and plug it into a spark plug wire, and then ground the threads against a valve cover bolt. Then you have someone crank the car and you'll be able to see the spark plug sparking.

Thanks man, i shall try that when i get home tonight!

Does anyone else suspect it could be anything else?

 

[downest]

Did you check to see if you are getting any spark?

I did not, infact i'm not sure how to be honest. Let me look that up in more detail.

Ok after briefly searching, i'm still lost... I've found ways to test my sparkplugs, but i don't need to, as i changed the plugs so i know they'll be ok.

It's not for testing the plugs, even old plugs will make a spark. It's for testing to see if the plugs are getting power/signal from the distributor.

 

[coldtotouch]

Did you check to see if you are getting any spark?

I did not, infact i'm not sure how to be honest. Let me look that up in more detail.

Ok after briefly searching, i'm still lost... I've found ways to test my sparkplugs, but i don't need to, as i changed the plugs so i know they'll be ok.

It's not for testing the plugs, even old plugs will make a spark. It's for testing to see if the plugs are getting power/signal from the distributor.

I realize that, my quick google search found me results on how to test if a spark plug. But i will try that method for sure

 

[ender_]

i'd say if you're sure you're getting spark and fuel, your timing is off. double check all your marks at TDC.

do anything to it lately like a headgasket or belt change?

 

[coldtotouch]

i'd say if you're sure you're getting spark and fuel, your timing is off. double check all your marks at TDC.

do anything to it lately like a headgasket or belt change?

i haven't done either, so this doesn't seem to be an option. It was weird how it died, it was on, warming up on my driveway. Then i backed out of the driveway, and the car stalled. It wouldn't start after that ....

 

[Masta]

It's the ignitir in the disty, I'll almost guarantee it. If not it could be your main relay, but then your fuel pump probably wouldn't prime. Check for spark(takes 2 secs) and verify, then go and get a new disty, hit me up if you need a good one cheap.

D.

 

[coldtotouch]

ok guys update

I tried checking for spark with no success. I pulled a plug, plugged it into the wire, and then held the thread to a valve cover bolt. I then got my girlfriend to try cranking the car, and i did not notice any spark. I'm going to grab a rebuilt distributor, and see if that fixes it. I'll let you guys know soon. Thanks for the help everybody

 

['9445]

If it's just the igniter module wouldn't it be cheaper just to replace that? You can get one for $75 from hondaautomotiveparts.com. Also, you could ask a honda dealer if your crx is eligable for the recall they had on the igniter unit ... you might get a free one if it's covered by the recall and it never got taken in for it. I got mine replaced that way a number of years ago (even though it was still working).

 

[dohcrxl]

I'm a little suspicious about how you said it was running fine then just died as you were backing out of your driveway. To me this fits the scenario of a timing belt breaking. What I would do before buying a distributor is remove your distributor and have someone crank the engine while you look at the slot in the camshaft. (the camshaft will be visible once you remove the dizzy) Obviously if the camshaft does not rotate but the starter is cranking and the bottom half of the engine is turning, it means your timing belt is broken.

 

[coldtotouch]

To be more clear on my description.

I was on a sloped driveway, i had left the car on for approx. 5 mins to warm up before i left. I threw it into neutral, and rolled off the driveway (it was idling lower than usual, i was giving it a little accl. to keep the revs up). I put it into first, it sputtered and died.

then, it wouldn't start again.

 

[dohcrxl]

You still need to confirm what I posted.

Just wondering... how much gas did you have in the tank? If you had say like an eighth tank for example, the pick-up tube could've sucked air on that slope in addition to any other problems you've got going on.

 

[coldtotouch]

To make a long story short of how my night went...

i found a brand new distributor locally cheap, that my dad could pickup on his way home from work. He brought it home, i went out in the -11 degree weather, took off the old distributor, and then realized he sold us the wrong piece........... :evil: (i specifically asked him 3 times too...)

called CAA, got the car towed to my mechanic. I should have a running car tomorrow... lets HOPE its not the timing belt, if it is, time for a changed motor.