Rep Power: 0

hey guys i know this code has been discussed before and my problem is that i just replaced the distributor and i didn't put the car at top dead center i just moved the distributor to where the old one was and it worked but now i have p1381 code but i just had the timing check and adjusted by a shop and im still having trouble with this code can anybody help? i heard somewhere that the alt could be there problem somehow

edit: i almost forgot its a 97 civic ex d16y8

 
Rep Power: 518

When did you first discover this P1381 code?
ONLY AFTER the distributor was installed?
Aftermarket distributors are crap.


Link has the alternator check you heard of. Pay attention the the coil shield though.
And remember, aftermarket distributors are crap.


https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...-dtc-p1381.jpg

 
Rep Power: 0

yea this happened after installed a new distributor from rock auto its a spectra premium and it has a accel coil with a summit racing copper point cap. i didn't know after market distributors where crap, the reason why i got a new one is because the previous owner broke one of the mounting screws for the cap so i figured i get a new one. guess i could use a the old one i guess or something.

 
Rep Power: 518

If the old unit was still usable, I'd drill out the broken screw and retap it, install a new stock cap with a new rubber gasket

 
Rep Power: 0

well just put the new accel coil in the old dis and it works just fine now don't have a timing light just yet going to get one this friday but i put the bolts lined up with the old marks and it seems to run good. pisses me off that i just spent 120 for a dis i can't use.

 
Rep Power: 518

You're probably really damn close on timing then.

I don't normally bother to check timing if I knew it were correct before pulling the dist out, because I put it back in in exactly the same spot it started.
I sometimes even stab a chisel across the castings to make a mark so I can put it back exactly the way it was.

 
Rep Power: 0

well cars seems to run good now.

 
Rep Power: 0

well the code is back on the old dist now so i got out the new one i had and slapped it back in with the accel coil and now it died on my twice today and popped the p1381 code. it only does it when i come to a stop and with the AC on and the car is hot and when the idle dips really low around 400rpm then it does the sputter and dies. i also changed out the alt too. any help?

 
Rep Power: 518

Find a car that's running with NO problems, swap their good distributor into your car. See if code stays gone.

If code comes back, swap the ECM and try again.



???????

 
Rep Power: 0

well i can get a oem dist with 97k on it from the junk yard for $95 and a ecm from $100-165

 
Rep Power: 518

You need to find a friend with a similar car!

 
Rep Power: 0

i know what your saying man but i don't have a friend with a similar car! lol
it just gets me that this would happen to a brand new aftermarket dist i thought i would get at least a month out of it.

 
Rep Power: 518

Better to get known good parts to try so you can know what part will make the problem go away.

Replacing a suspected bad part with a craptacular reman that may not be any good in the first place will make you pull all your hair out.
Aftermarket remans are crap. Period.

Try replacing 5 in a row before getting one that will get the car out of the shop without problems.

 
Rep Power: 0

well since i was getting this code with the old dist should i just replace the ecm and put back the old dist to see if that works?

 
Rep Power: 518

That's up to you......Start over at square one and diagnose it as though it were a brand new problem.


I can't say one way or another which to try....but I'd expect the dist again.



Why did you replace the alternator?

 
Rep Power: 0

replaced the ALT because the battery went out and took the ALT with it. i just ordered a replacement dist from the junkyard $169 for it came out a car with 80k so hopefully it works. if not i guess im going to buy a $165 ecm from them.