Very true. This video helped me tremendously when I had a crank no-start problem on my '98 CRV around five years ago. In my case it turned out to be a bad coil and I just followed his steps which were easy to follow. I was back on the road in a day.
I was just pointing out that I had addressed your question in the video, I spend a lot more time than you might think putting these videos together to be as accurate as I can make them. My motivation is to help those that need it, nothing more.There are times when your comments seem redundant and serve only to declare your knowledge of the topics I cover. You don't need my approval, I think you just need "do" more than "read" sometimes.
I have a 91 Honda accord 10th year anniversary what mine is doin I can hear it sputter while driving even when am on the freeway I cant tell it lacks on power but it does however cain of kicks a little as I take off do u know what it mite be ?
EricTheCarGuy I have a 1994 rs non vtec where is the Crank position sensor? Can’t find it on the bottom block. People say distributor? Can you make vid on that . To clear everything. I got the code 4 .
You poor man, giving us a super informative video just to be asked really specific problems about random people's honda problems when they could have just searched another video for it
I know this vid was posted way back but hoping someone can verify why my 99 civic dx has a rotor with no set screw. Is this because it's a dx, it has a mani-cat too
I have never worked on a car. I am an old software developer, and had a career solving problems. I had a non-starting 1993 Honda del Sol. No garage would look at it and I didn't want to tow it to someplace with no idea of the the solution or cost of a fix. I looked under the hood and cringed at my lack of understanding of what and where anything is. Then I watched your video and it inspired me to take step one. Three weeks later, a new ignitor and a replacement for my snapped off distributor rotor and screw, I now have a running car! Thanks! Another Eric
12 years and a half u should change your title brother to how to test just distributor overall they are almost the same . Was having almost impossible time all day tryna look for a video to bench test but just so easy doing it on the car
Eric, I have to give you a loud applause! You are thorough and precise. You simplify your explanations and details providing expert advice to an amateur. Giving astounding results for those who need the help!
Thank you Eric, you are truly a kind and giving individual and the fact you took all these years of time to instruct us through our car problems is such a selfless and incredible act. I have learned almost everything I know about wrenching around on a car through you and I know Im one among thousands. I also really admire the way you think and your confidence in your knowledge of the arts of automotive repair. You got a great personality and I could talk with you for hours about whats going on with my car or just simply have a few cold ones and bullshit out in the old garage. You deserve all good things that have come your way man.
This video saved my *&!?!. I was going fuel pump all the way....but you showed me how to check for spark and chase it down....to the Ignition module. That fixed it. Thank you Eric..I always try to consult your expertise on car matters.
Lack of spark is often a coil or igniter however, don't forget to do the first part of this test, I fixed a no start just yesterday that only needed a cap and rotor.
The most in-depth and easily followed video i have watched to date. Three days of chasing a no-start, and this video got me there in ten minutes. Thank you very much sir, stay safe.
Dang, it’s been 11 years and this is still one of the best videos I have ever watched. Just bought a 96 ek and it wouldn’t start but once again, ericthecarguy is here to help.
Eric! I love your videos man! I have learned so much and am so grateful for all I have been learning! keep up the good work... you are saving a lot of people much needed money during these hard times, and giving us FREE education at the same time! Thank you so much... One request though, I really like the fact you have an awesome classroom (garage), but please be sure to fix your flag (when hung vertically, blue should always be in the top LEFT corner)... Thank you!
This video has helped me twice. I can turn a wrench just fine, but I have no experience diagnosing problems like these. So this video has given me direction that I could work with. I have had to replace both my ignitor and coil, at seperate times. Thank you Eric for this video. I simply followed what you said, and now my car works. I (and my wife) appriciate this video.
where would be without your vids Eric! you're awesome.. I'd like to take this time to thank you for your contribution to myself and to all of your subscribers who depend on your concise information toward Auto mechanical aspects. Thank you so much Eric! You're the man we depend on most. You are totally our go-to-Guy!
Fixed my 99 civic twice with the help of this video, once in 2013, used a test light to find bad coil, then again yesterday, no blinks when turned over, bad igniter. Fixed it in a total of an hour thanks to Eric taking the guess work out. I was like a mad scientist.. 'No spark, let me trace that back to the source!' Thank you!
both aftermarket bro.. most will say use OEM.. but on a 99 civic with 240,000 miles, I chose to save that cash! btw, still running strong and starts like a brand new civic.
Okay, I noticed that when you were testing the coil, you had an alligator clip on it, was that the ground to the tester, confused here, where do you put the ground from test light during each test, you didn't cover that?
Since he was using a power probe he did not need to connect to ground because the tool supplies ground internally. If using a normal test light the Alligator clip on a test light always goes to the negative post on the battery, or to any spot on the frame of the vehicle(body ground) a good way to test what is and isnt the frame is with a magnet. If its magnetic, its a ground. DO NOT TRY AND GROUND TO THE COIL, you will either hurt the ignition system or your self
THANK YOU Eric. For anyone that is still stumped and has a spark at the plugs, and the coil and igniter are working, and fuel flow isn't an issue, I simply cleaned the contacts on the inside of the distributor cap, cleaned a bit of corrosion off the thimble that the rotor attaches to and cleaned the contact on the rotor itself - the "spinning blade" type part had the most corrosion on it of all these parts. I was getting an orange spark from all four plugs using the screwdriver to ground method, but I'm supposing that something wasn't maintaining enough of a connection to give a strong spark. Btw, during this process I also changed out the fuel filter which was over due for a change, but that didn't fix the issue until I cleaned the distributor. (1998 Civic DX hatchback w 120,000km)
Eric: Thanks for the tutorial as it pinpointed the cause of my crank, no start problem on my '98 CRV. It was the coil in my case. I'm back on the road again due to your video. Thanks again.
Thanks @EricTheCarGuy! 11 years ago I never thought I'd ever have a Honda (CR-V)!!! Exactly the problem I'm having right now... no spark to the plugs (was able to test to that part, working outside, no light= work stops).
Time goes by fast man. I've been watching your video for years and this video is recorded in 2009 it made realized that 5 years of my life is gone but feels like last time I watched this was last year or something. Thanks you for being there for all of us all these years. All the best brother
Just had that problem on a Toyota. Set out to replace the disty O-ring and the shaft seal. Getting the shaft out required a pin to be removed, and that was darn near impossible without the right tool, and trivial with the right tool. The right tool is a motorcycle chain breaker. You can always buy an aftermarket distributor. Just make sure you know how to keep track of the alignment between the cam "teeth" on the distributor and the slots for the teeth on the cam shaft. There are plenty of disty videos that cover how to do exactly that.
It would be very helpful to let people know which side of the battery to hook the test light. Most people dont have the luxury of owning a probe. In fact if you really wanted to help us you would have done this with a cheap test light like most of us have. : (
You can hook test light to any chassis ground. Then any source of power or spark you touch, you will light the test light. I never connect my test light to a battery..
journeyquest1 why would you connect to the battery? He clearly said to a ground there is no mention of a battery there is grounded parts everywhere in your engine compartment
great video. i really like how you're a cool, down to earth guy who makes more sense than anyone else talking about cars on youtube. This stuff is so practical and not too hard to understand. Thank you so much for being you and helping people who wanna learn.
Yeah and we working on that junk box another piece of crap piece of junk there is a white be missing working on like Donkey crap a box j j junk box in the Honda the reclaim metals what they really are that one with the Geo Prizm run to the got a body shop got hold of the person the wrong body shop in there to do the do the repairs on Geo Prizm on that yeah we have a body shop guy I know he checked everything out the way works on the collision of the vehicle checks all the wiring all the horses and everything that needs to be done he replaced the whole wiring harness and Warren everything everything works when he gets finished with it it doesn't in fact spects. Yeah all those Hondas and although Japanese and there's a bunch of crap and junk a box need to work on the right car the right car is the General Motors the right car to work on and also the green Garza right car to work on special with the Hyundai. The switch cars a good car to work going to in the BMW and Audi Fox in the car to work yeah Toyota Yoder on Junkbox Japanese Hondas in your specially the unmentionable Nissan and you and your really nuts working on the junk a boxers in the unmentionable Nissan in the in the in the yogurt Toyota
This is the first time I've seen any of your videos. I was looking for some help in diagnosing this very issue and came across your video. I wanted to make a point of commenting on this video because it was extremely helpful. You explain things clearly and in detail so novices like me can easily understand it. I can tell you know your stuff. I'll definitely be seeking out your videos the next time I need help with my car. Keep up the great work and thank you for your videos.
I'm just starting Engine Performance at GRCC and this video definitely helped! My 91 Acura Integra previously did not start a couple times but could not get it to fail at the shop while I was in Electrical. Testing said everything was fine. Now it only cranks and I can smell fuel and am suspecting a no spark. Thanks for the tips Eric!
EricTheCarGuy, a walking textbook of honda repairs. you have no idea how much you have saved me. And crazy enough, when I come across something that I have no idea about it, you address it in detail. Thank you!!
Thanks for your videos this is one of the many videos of yours that have been helping me learn about and work on/ fix my 94 Honda Civic that was passed down to me falling apart. Love the car regardless (it’s got a b20b engine so who wouldn’t lol) and thanks to you I’ve been able to tackle almost every issue it’s thrown my way with very little assistance. It feels great and I find it very rewarding fixing my own car and I wouldn’t have been able to do it with out your videos. Keep them coming, you’re awesome.
This vid helped me out Soo much. Was getting ready to replace the whole distributor on my 76 Buick Regal. Did your test and in deed it was the ignition mod. Thank you sir for a giving a" for me" clear understanding on what to do. Peace out
Wow. What a brilliant, professionally presented video.Thanks a million Eric. I now feel a little bit more confident that I won't get ripped off when I talk to the mechanic about my car tomorrow morning.
Wow, nice job making it simple Eric! I just tested both components and have concluded the coil is bad(or not providing a spark as you say). It's very weird though, because I just replaced the cap and rotor. Then there was no spark. I changed them back to the original before I found this very helpful video. I didn't want to just start throwing parts at the car. This helps me move forward with confidence. New coil tomorrow and hopefully, she starts right up...
Thanks Mr Car Guy!! Fixed my sons civic with a old coil that I saved from a junked Accord. Used your trouble shooting tips and found out that the coil was bad!! Thanks Mr Eric!!
Thanks a whole bunch Eric ! great video , it enabled me to do some basic diagnosis on my 91 civic d15 and determine my coil and ICM were ok. My problem ended up being the main relay which i was able to re-solder. Keep up the great work !
I have to say how much I absolutely adore your videos. I have learned so much and you have helped me fix a lot of things on my car. I have been working on my 95 Honda Civic by myself and I’m so grateful to you for explaining your knowledge in plain English lol. Thanks again Ericthecarguy you rock 😁
Eric, you ROCK! Bought a 97 ex with 100k on it just a few weeks under a year ago. Car was solid up until about 3 weeks ago. 1st was the pipe cracking just past the cat, so i got a Yonaka cat back exhaust and put that on. Fired it up and discovered the front pipe cracked in front of the cat also. Got a new front pipe and put that on and car was fine and sounded really good now. So yesterday, was out running around, 20 miles from home and car dies at the stop light. Argh! Get it towed home, $235 later and checked for spark at plugs, none. Brother who was a honda mech. for 18 yrs. until retirement in 1993 says it could be coil or igniter but couldn't remember how to check. Found your vid on RU-vid Eric and ran the tests, finding the coil to be bad. Replaced it and bingo! Fired right up, what a load of relief to me. Can't thank you enough for all that you do!
14 years later and I'm looking at this wondering if this is my problem. But since I couldn't diagnose my no start my 97 Civic is at the shop racking up a bill
It's 2020 and I was trying to figure out why my 1992 Honda Civic wouldn't run. Went to RU-vid, found Eric The Car Guy, watched this video and I think I have found my problem. The inside of the distributor cap is covered in oil. So, it's most likely needs a new distributor. Thanks so much Eric! You help us keep our beloved old Honda's on the road. :-)
@HondaVtecDOHC Cool I'm glad you found it. Checking fuses should be one of the first steps in diagnosing a no start so if you run into that again be sure the check them. Thanks for the update.
i have been consulting your channel quite a bit here lately as i have an 94 acura integra with some touchy issues. as i have no means to pay outright for labor to have it professionally fixed, the do-it-yourselfer in me has found your vids to be quite informative, descriptive and easy to follow. i appreciate your actions in sharing your professional knowledge to the ignorant, such as myself. lol YOU ROCK!! thanks again and keep up the great work!!!
Thank you so much Eric, you have saved me so much money. Please keep making videos, I know I speak for alot off ppl when I say that they are the most useful tool on RU-vid and especialy for me owning a Honda. Thanks again Eric you are the best man!
Thanks a lot, Eric. Coming out of the grocery store my EG hatch was stumbling and died. Left it there over night, watched this video. Used a test light and found out the coil pack went bad. Replaced it right in the parking lot, works great.
Just fixed my 98 civic. This video worked like a charm. No coil light indication, but had ignitor signal. Put a new coil on, and it runs like a champ now. Thanks for the video!
The best tutorial video that I have ever watched on this channel. Regardless of subject. I have viewed alot in the past. It couldn't have been done any better. Thanks.
Very thankful for this video, just ran into this problem with my 2000 Honda Accord. Last week i put a new starter/battery into it because it wouldn't even turn over. Ran just fine yesterday, now all the sudden it'll turn over, and over, and over but wont kick on. Did the screwdriver test that you showed in the video, not getting any spark at all. Dont have the tools to do the other tests, or a place to do it at the moment being in a apartment with no garage or shed. But your video was very helpful.
i basically went through same steps to check for lost spark. everything Eric lectured on today i agree. although it was my igniter that failed. i did replaced the external coil along with rotor on my 92 Accord LX for good measure. Started right up. thanks .
Thank you for this vid and info. I am an old mechanic and sometimes get shook by the electronics. this vid was spot on and my wife and I carried our crippled selves out to the car and had a running motor an hour later including the trip to autozone. thanks again.
Thank you so much Eric The Car Guy for taking your time to share your knowledge by creating and posting all these videos to help regular people like me fix my shit. I'll forever be a humble subscriber of yours. THANK YOU!
Very helpful!!! Even today. There is one big thing left out here. The same non-triggering issue from the Ignitor/Ignition control module will also occur if the main relay is not working or connected. This is due to the fact that it responsible for telling the ECU that it can send signals to fire the coil , when the fuel pump and fuel injectors are powered properly.
@spelunkerd You don't have to worry about "frying" the probe as the voltage will just go straight to ground and not effect it at all. The compositor is probably there to help measure the voltage as a compositor will store voltage based on what is put into it however, It also may be there to help prevent voltage spikes to the testing component. I think just a screwdriver held close to ground would tell you all you needed to know.
Excellent video. Simple, to the point, easy steps. I'm pushing 50 and do allot of work on my own cars but admittedly vehicle electronics are not my best area! I know just enough to get buy on the simple stuff. My son has a 1997 Civic LX. He was driving it at 25mph in a neighborhood and it just shut off, not start. I could hear fuel pump prime, checked spark, none. This video was a GREAT time saver!! It was the coil. And how easy?? All I needed was a test light!! GREAT POST!
thanks Eric...that cleared up the confusion I've had about Honda distributers...and yes-power probes are the best way to go about most electrical issues. Thanks again.
Thanks Eric this helped me a lot. I go by your videos cause you actually show what's going on. I have fixed numerous cars by watching your videos. Any bad comments you get don't worry about them and keep up the good work. Thanks.
thanks so much.I am an ASE diesel Mechanic, and work on a lot of gas stuff too, all makes and models (weedeaters to 18 wheelers). It's hard to know everything about everything ;) . This was a well put together logical troubleshooting video. The way Honda put this together is pretty simple once you understand how it works.My neighbor had bought a used distributor and didn't transfer the drive tang,I swapped that onto the one he bought and it started firing the old one had oil inside.
@FollowingJohn In that situation I would be replacing the coil AND the distributor sub assembly. I highly recommend using an OE distributor as I've seen lots of problems with the aftermarket units.
Awesome video very simple and straight to the point I have a 95 civic and I put a D16 zc engine in it and I had this problem after I let my car set to long and it was the igniter I swapped the coil out and thought that was the problem until I let it set again for about 12 hours thanks for the video awesome work.
THANKS ALOT!!!!! Followed your steps and got my car running for about 175 bucks in parts. Very easy to understand the way you explain it. Keep it up...YOUR THE MAN!!
Since i recently did ignition job on couple of Hondas ( and Your video was more then helpfull ) - if You are sometimes at loss and not sure which one is bad, module or coil - in 90% of all cases if Your module is bad You would have an engine light as well, so if you have no spark on the coil and no check engine light - replace the coil - worked for me everytime.
Awesome video, I was able to get my Honda back on the road and not waste money troubleshooting with parts I didn't need. A couple simple steps and the replacement of the coil and I'm still going strong at 280,000 miles.
Hey man thank you very much!! i used these tests and found that i had a bad coil pack. I would not have been able to narrow this problem down with out these tests. I probably would have just bought a new distributor for 200 bucks. instead i used these tests, found i had a bad coil pack, and bought a replacement coil pack for 20 bucks!! thanks a bunch man!!
I came across this when my 2001 Honda stopped running. I first saw Eric's utube on the main fuel pump relay. I checked the relay and it was good. Eric mentioned this utube so I followed his outline. I found no spark at the plugs, but did have spark at the coil. I did not want to believe that the rotor or cap had gone bad. They are such simple devices. The tip of the rotor was chewed up. I changed the cap and rotor for $35 and sure enough it fixed the problem. Thanks Eric, you are a savior.
huge, huge, HUGE thanks to you man. i bought a 99 civic DX and i died on the highway outta nowhere... took a week to dig in to figure out what happened until i saw this video. my ignition coil was CRACKED IN HALF! again, thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.
Thank you so much! In-between buying a new car and keeping my Honda Civic 97 stick shift running. It lost power when driving and had no spark. We diagnosed the problem. ECM wasbad This helped me from a transportation crisis!
Eric, thank you so much for this video & all the others that I learned so much from. I just diagnosed and traced my accord start problem to a bad igniter. I replaced it & it started up like a champ.
Watching this in 2019. What a tremendous service you do to the community, Eric. We love you. I wish I had seen this video in 1999, when my 1991 Civic's igniter blew. Ugh. (Of course, that would have been impossible.) I always keep a spare igniter and coil handy now, but they are aftermarket, because Honda wants 10X the cost for OEM. I'd love to go Honda, but at 10X the cost? Sorry. I'll take my chances that the aftermarket won't fail 9 times before needing the 10th.
Very informative. While using your tips to check the coil and igniter I discovered a loose negative wire in the igniter. Tightened up the terminal, put the cap back on, and the engine fired right up.