Over the years there have been a few posts in this NG about failed
"igniters" or Ignition Control Modules (ECM) on that generation Civic.
This is a US$ 75 part (don't know where you are located), as opposed to
the > US$ 600 for the ECU. I know your shop said the igniter was OK, but
they could be wrong.

You can do a rudimentary check of the ECU by checking the signal on the
YEL/GRN wire to the distributor/coil assembly. This is the signal from
the ECU to the ICM. The best way to check is with an oscilloscope, which
most people do not keep around the house. The second best is an old
analog voltmeter (the needle kind). Connect the scope or voltmeter
between ground and the YEL/GRN wire. (do not disconnect anything, I
sometimes use a sowing needle probe inside the connectors if my scope /
voltmeter probes are not sharp enough). When cranking the engine you
should see something close to a square wave on the scope, or see the
needle jumping back and forth on the voltmeter (set it to the 10V
setting). If you do see a square wave it means the ECU is probably OK.
If not you could have a bad ECU, bad TDC, CKP or CYP sensor (all three
are built into the distributor/coil assembly) or a bad connection to any
of the above.

If you do not have an analog multimeter, a digital will work too, it is
just harder to read and interpret in this case. Try the AC volts
setting. Not having tried this, I would expect a very unsteady reading
somewhere between 3 and 8 volts when everything is working.

Is the Check Engine light on?


Redwood wrote:
>
> "E. Meyer" <e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
> news:BBADF48E.1CCC0%e.meyerNOSPAM@ieee.org...
> > On 10/11/03 1:42 PM, in article
> > jaYhb.6767$av5.3080@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.n et, "Redwood"
> > <mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> > > My daughters '92 Civic 1.5L (automatic trans.) turns over, but will not
> > > start. It was towed to a shop where they say everything on the ignition
> > > checks-out (Coil, ICM (igniter), Main Relay, etc...). They believe the
> > > problem is the computer, however, they will not order one to try it out.
> I
> > > have to tow it to someone else (i.e the dealer) to have further
> diagnosis
> > > done. Is there anything they or I could be over looking.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Are they saying that everything checks out, but there is no spark?
> >
> > Did they check that the electric fuel pump works and verify that it is
> > delivering fuel to the engine?
> >
> > It is reasonable that they would not order a computer just to check it out
> > unless you agree to pay for it whether it fixes the problem or not.
> > Otherwise if that doesn't fix it, they would be stuck with an expensive,
> > unique part and/or a disgruntled customer.
> >
> > It seems obvious that they are not familiar with or properly equipped to
> > diagnose your Civic. A lot of places would bleed your wallet dry even
> > though they don't know how to fix it. You should thank them for not
> cleaning
> > out your bankbook and take it somewhere else.
> >
> >
> Yes, they checked everything that they knew except the computer. It is
> getting fuel, but no spark. They replaced the distributer two weeks ago
> after the same no start condition. They suspected the reman distributer (it
> has a 90 warranty) may have gone bad, but after trying 3 more remans and
> tracing through the main relay they gave up. I'm only out the tow bill this
> time. They only charge a diagnosis fee if they can figure it out. I now
> have to tow it to a different shop. I know a mechanic that specilizes in
> electrical problems. Thats were it will go next.
>
> Thanks