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Hey I had my best friend replace my distributor but I think the timing is off because the car cranks but will not start and I don’t know where the marks are and don’t know which marks need to be lined up to what.. I have a 2000 Honda civic ex it is a automatic transmission please help I have no idea what I’m supposed to be looking for but I do know that it doesn’t look right
Last edited by CarGirlSaucey; Apr 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,633
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Re: Help adjusting the timing
The distributor ahould only bolt on to the engine one way.
it's one the other end of the engine up top.
you need a timing light to set it properly but you should be able to get it close. The holes are slotted so you can loosen the bolts and rotate it back and forth.
do you still have the old distributor?
Did it get replaced because the car wasn't starting?
The distributor ahould only bolt on to the engine one way.
it's one the other end of the engine up top.
you need a timing light to set it properly but you should be able to get it close. The holes are slotted so you can loosen the bolts and rotate it back and forth.
do you still have the old distributor?
Did it get replaced because the car wasn't starting?
yea it only bolts on one way but I don’t know if the rotor was in the right position when installed because I didn’t take the cap off due to that voiding the warranty on the distributor.. and yea it wouldn’t start first I was told ignition coil replaced only that it started I went to Safeway I came out and it wouldn’t start so the guy said I need distributor but car still won’t start cranks but doesn’t start I was told to make sure the lines on crank pulley are lined up but I don’t see any lines only the holes and the lines where it say A and other side has lines with an arrow. And yes I still have old distributor
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,633
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Re: Help adjusting the timing
As long as the timing belt isn't broken it doesn't matter where the crank is. The distributor only mates with the camshaft one way. Aftermarket distributors tend to be junk for these cars. There's an igniter you can also replace in your original distributor
As long as the timing belt isn't broken it doesn't matter where the crank is. The distributor only mates with the camshaft one way. Aftermarket distributors tend to be junk for these cars. There's an igniter you can also replace in your original distributor
so I should check if timing is broken and maybe rotate or adjust position of the distributor rotor?
I doubt that's your issue. Where is the distributor currently set? In the middle? Or advanced or retarded?
Do you know how to check for spark?
I was assuming that because I thought maybe If the rotor isn’t in the same position as the old one that may be causing the problem I’m not sure. I didn’t remove the cap off new distributor because it would void the warranty and didn’t think it would really make a difference but now I’m thinking maybe I should’ve removed it to ensure the rotor is in the same position as the previous one. . You remove a spark plug wire and ground it on engine and check for spark while someone cranks the engine right?
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,633
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Re: Help adjusting the timing
Originally Posted by CarGirlSaucey
I was assuming that because I thought maybe If the rotor isn’t in the same position as the old one that may be causing the problem I’m not sure. I didn’t remove the cap off new distributor because it would void the warranty and didn’t think it would really make a difference but now I’m thinking maybe I should’ve removed it to ensure the rotor is in the same position as the previous one. .
Again, the distributor only goes on one way. As long as its installed properly you dont have to worry about that.
Originally Posted by CarGirlSaucey
You remove a spark plug wire and ground it on engine and check for spark while someone cranks the engine right?
correct. I'm guessing the aftermarket distributor is already dead, or isn't giving good spark
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,633
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Re: Help adjusting the timing
You need to check for spark.
and you never said if the ignition timing was set retarded, neutral, or advanced. (Where are the bolts sitting in the slotted holes)
if the new distributor is junk, try and repair the original one, or get another original one from a junkyard. Don't bother with the aftermarket ones
You need to check for spark.
and you never said if the ignition timing was set retarded, neutral, or advanced. (Where are the bolts sitting in the slotted holes)
if the new distributor is junk, try and repair the original one, or get another original one from a junkyard. Don't bother with the aftermarket ones
I will go down and take a picture in a second I’m not sure how to tell, and is there a way to check for spark without having someone else’s help?
You need to check for spark.
and you never said if the ignition timing was set retarded, neutral, or advanced. (Where are the bolts sitting in the slotted holes)
if the new distributor is junk, try and repair the original one, or get another original one from a junkyard. Don't bother with the aftermarket ones
I checked for spark with the new distributor and it had spark getting ready to check for spark with old distributor on and let you know also I will upload the pictures of distributor as well
Ok if you have spark then you need to check for fuel
I have fuel coming to the fuel rail, I also smell a little gas after attempting to start the car a few times. I think it’s not getting enough compression so I plan on getting a compression tester and leak down tester to check compression and determine where the leak is. I will keep you updated on what happens with the testing results
I was assuming that because I thought maybe If the rotor isn’t in the same position as the old one that may be causing the problem I’m not sure. I didn’t remove the cap off new distributor because it would void the warranty and didn’t think it would really make a difference but now I’m thinking maybe I should’ve removed it to ensure the rotor is in the same position as the previous one. . You remove a spark plug wire and ground it on engine and check for spark while someone cranks the engine right?
you was correct the timing isn’t the issue it’s tdc but still not start This came up on obd tool before I replaced all the parts I replaced
ing
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,633
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Re: Help adjusting the timing
Originally Posted by CarGirlSaucey
I was thinking the same thing but since the scanner said something about compression I wasn’t sure. It was a P0301, P0113, P1399
P0301 - cylinder 1 misfire
P0113 - intake air temp code
P1399 - random misfire
Make sure the iat is plugged in, shouldn't affect it starting though
The other two are probably from you trying to start it.
Have you checked for spark on the old distributor?
the cylinders might be washed out or flooded from all the starting attempts
P0301 - cylinder 1 misfire
P0113 - intake air temp code
P1399 - random misfire
Make sure the iat is plugged in, shouldn't affect it starting though
The other two are probably from you trying to start it.
Have you checked for spark on the old distributor?
the cylinders might be washed out or flooded from all the starting attempts
yes I checked for spark on old distributor it has spark I replaced the spark plugs and everything, idk what the problem is I’m starting to think it’s something electrical or something because it was starting just fine mechanic told me replace ignition coil car started right up then I went to Safeway came out and it won’t start anymore, I took the new coil off got my money back and put old one back on and it still won’t start
