car dies out of nowhere.... timing/distributor issue?
 

Hey guys,

so my '91 rex w/ZC died on me the other night. I have been driving it fine for a while now, and certainly there was no indication of anything wrong. I was on my way to my family's christmas party at my uncle's which is about 45 mins away. It has been very cold here lately, but the car has been fine. I drove it on the highway for a good 1/2 hour, then got off the exit, drive another 10 miles down the road, then pull up to a light to make a left turn, and wait for the light to turn green. The car then idles for about 5 seconds, and dies. Figuring my foot had slipped of the clutch w/it in gear, i tried to start it, nothing, it just kept cranking, trying to turn over, but dying. This continued for about 5-10 mins. I drift to the side of the road, and pull ebrake. I kept trying to start, but nothing, sounded like it wasn't getting fuel.

Regardless, I call my friend, me w/him on the phone check a few things. The gas cap released pressure, so i know i have fuel pressure, and i had a 1/4 tank of gas, so its probably not fuel problem. I pull each spark plug wire, no coolant or oil in any of the plugs. All grounds looked fine. Oil level was fine. I did manage to get the car to start once after it initially died, but it only ran for 5 seconds, and was backfiring, sounded awful. Ok, so at least my timing belt isnt snapped, because it wouldn't have run at all. So i am narrowing it down to something with my timing and/or distributor. Here is things that i have done to it:

- oil change about 2 weeks ago
- replaced alternator this past june
- did a tuneup around that time (june) as well, new plugs, cap, rotor, thermostat, etc, but not wires
- had main relay replaced i am guessing 2 summers ago, but can't remember for sure, definitely within the past 2-3 years though

So, ended up having to get it towed to my house. Very frustrated, because there was no indication ahead of time. As stated, I believe it is either the timing is off, or something is wrong with the spark, probably in the distributor, from reading other posts in a couple forums. I have not replace the timing belt or the distributor since i have had the car (~2.5 years). I do not know when they were replace last. I know it was long, but i want to be as thorough as possible so people understand and can assess the situation. Any insight guys? It would be appreciated. Thanks, later,

- short-A

Re:car dies out of nowhere.... timing/distributor issue?
 

Ok I think I can help you. I am having the same problem with my car right now as well but mine is more complicated. Ok here is what you do.
1. Ignition should be off. Unplug your dizzy. Then turn on the igniton. The plug with two wires is the one you will be testing. Take a multi-meter and check the Blk/ylw for voltage. With the ignition ON there should be battery voltage. If not there is a short some place.

2. If there is voltage and the car still doesn't start you will need to check the two white wires coming from the dizzy. To do this you will have to check them at the ECU. With the iginion on and the ecu still plugged in, you will have to stick the multi-meter in pins B15(+) and B17(+), they are right next to each other, with the ground at A18(-) you should get +/- 10V. If you don't have voltage, it's the ignitor.

If it happens to be the ignitor then you can just buy that part at the store. But they don't call it the ignitor they call it the Ignition Control Modual. It was $60 for mine. Better than a $180 dizzy with core. They happen to be the same as obd0 and 0bd1 cars. I don't know about obd2. Haven't tried it yet. good luck

Re: car dies out of nowhere.... timing/distributor issue?
 

My brother's civic sounds like it has the same problem. But the whole distributor assembly was replaced not to long ago. It has a new alternator, new battery, I think it has a new thermostat, new plugs, and wires. But it will still start, and run every once in a while. In fact I was just driving it. Drove maybe a 1/4 mile back and fourth on my street, and then it died, and won't start now.

Re: car dies out of nowhere.... timing/distributor issue?
 

test you coil. check your grounds on the thermostat.

Re: car dies out of nowhere.... timing/distributor issue?
 

same problem happened to my 88 civic hatch....after a long time testing ----...it ended up being the main relay.....