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Re: 98 civic, no spark, no obd2 code
Originally Posted by Emily Ledgard
98 civic lx wont start, no spark, wont throw obd2 code, changed cap and rotor, new spark plugs, distributor looks fine, what now?
Most likely the ignition coil or igniter inside the distributor. Watch the video below at the bottom of this reply (in my signature). You can substitute the probe ETCG is using with a grounded long-handle flathead screwdriver.
Last edited by Wankenstein; Oct 7, 2020 at 10:53 PM.
Have now replaced the plugs, the cap and rotor, timing belt and crank sensor, i guess ignition coil is next if I can still afford it.
I doubt this changes much because the symptoms are what they are, but I forgot to mention, it has the engine swapped out from a 95 in it.
Has it ever run on this "new" engine? I'm positive that's an OBD1 engine, not OBD2. If that's the case, you'll need a different ECU and distributor at the very least (I'm not super familiar with the process, just some old research I remember from a while ago), assuming that hasn't been done yet.
Re: 98 civic, 95 civic engine, getting no spark, no check engine light, no obd1 code
So now I've done the ignition coil, the timing belt the plugs and wires, the crank sensor, the cap and rotor and checked all the fuses, the only things left are the ignition switch right? Am I missing something? I'm out of money, what the hell is wrong with my car??
And yes, it's been running with the new engine for almost a year now, the dude I bought it from was very adept with mechanics and I don't have any doubts that he was aware of anything that would work or not work with the different year. Every part I've bought I've clarified the engine was a 95.so they should all be right. (And yes its obd1, not obd2)
Last edited by Emily Ledgard; Oct 5, 2020 at 01:20 PM.
Reason: Forgot something
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
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Re: 98 civic, no spark, no obd2 code
Did you buy OEM or aftermarket parts?
is it no crank no start? Or crank no start?
If it's crank no start I wouldn't be worried about the ignition switch
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
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Re: 98 civic, 95 civic engine, getting no spark, no check engine light, no obd1 code
Originally Posted by Emily Ledgard
So now I've done the ignition coil, the timing belt the plugs and wires, the crank sensor, the cap and rotor and checked all the fuses, the only things left are the ignition switch right? Am I missing something? I'm out of money, what the hell is wrong with my car??
It's better to test first before replacing parts. If you (or a mechanic) tested the coil and igniter as shown in the video there would have been no need to replace the coil if there was good quality spark. Also, with these engines in most cases it's best to stick with Honda Genuine (OEM) parts. This is certainly the case when it comes to the coil as cheap aftermarket ones may not work at all and if they do they won't last long.
Spark, fuel, air...it's common to all combustion engines. Did you check the main relay? https://www.google.com/search?client...sclient=psy-ab
So, 6 days and @ $600 later I have "fired" the guy who was helping me out with the car(which basically means I tripped out and threw him off my property, he kept demanding more money (even though I'd already given him close to $200 & the job wasnt finished... or started..hell- he hadn't even diagnosed it properly)and now I'm broke, but strangely the car is running. I cant really explain it but another person came by and fiddled around with the distributor for a few minutes while we were trying to see if i actually should've just replaced the entire distributor, we talked about replacing the ignitor or that it could be the relay(*his preliminary suggestions)and then he showed me how to use a test light to start a spark. I think he fixed whatever was still wrong when he took apart and put back together the distributor, because it fired right up. We drove around for an hour waiting for it to choke or something to go wrong but nothing. I had noticed that dude who helped before wasn't lining up the little tiny spring in there very well, it had gotten bent and was offset, i straightened it out and very carefully placed it all back together, and with his little test light jammed down in the black and yellow wire it fired right up...so I guess I still won't know if anything I did was the necessary portion, but it's been starting and driving ever since(yesterday afternoon). However it still feels really weird and like I dont have full power, and on occasion it feels as if it's going to die for a few seconds while stopped or at a lower idle. That being said I'm really tired of worrying about it and I now have zero money and zero potential assistance to walk me through anything so I guess I'm just not going to do anything to it until it ...IF it actually dies on me again. I wish I knew more about symptoms of it being an relay issue, if anyone has any tips.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
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Re: 98 civic, no spark, no obd2 code
Glad it's running for now, when you have some more money grab a couple complete distributors from the junkyard, they'll be like $20-$30 each. Only grab OEM ones don't buy any aftermarket ones. Grab them from wrecked cars, that way you know the engine was running at the time of the accident
