Honda Car Forum

My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark. How
can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor rotor
turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no dust). I
understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does the
rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.

Thank you,

- Phil

I have a good ignitor from a '90 Accord I can send you. bob

Phil wrote:
>
> My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark. How
> can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor rotor
> turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no dust). I
> understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
> test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does the
> rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Phil

Also, feel free to take the dist out of the car. Mark on the block
where the rotor is pointing, and then take all the bolts out and remove
the dist. The rotor will pry off with a big blade screwdriver. There is
a test for the ignitor, I can check the manual if you have a meter. bob

Phil wrote:
>
> My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark. How
> can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor rotor
> turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no dust). I
> understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
> test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does the
> rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Phil

About 3 years ago on our 92 Accord I had what sounds like the same
problem --- was the ignition relay located under the left foot rest that was
the problem as I recall.

That has been the only failure this car has had since new -- all other
repair bills have been for normal maintenance and wearables such as exhaust,
tires, brakes and minor front end.

If I can remember the bill was something like $200 can. Oh one other thing
failed and that was the radio antenna which I replace with an old fashioned
stick style rather than the one hidden power one.

I figure there's at least 3 to 4 more years of wear in this baby with just
180,000 km on it now.

Hope yours is as dependable as this one.

The Artful Codger



"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:32Xob.62459$ao4.166508@attbi_s51...
> My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark. How
> can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor rotor
> turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no dust).
I
> understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
> test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does the
> rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
>
> Thank you,
>
> - Phil
>
>

"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:do%ob.152936$3f.78220@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...

>
> I figure there's at least 3 to 4 more years of wear in this baby with just
> 180,000 km on it now.
>


3 to 4 years? For sure! Mine's at 264,000km and compression is still great
and it's my daily commuter & trip car! Amazing cars for a 4 cyl!

I have a typical multimeter, so if that is what is needed, I can test. What
is the procedure. This car will not be kept for much longer, so do not want
to buy a manual. So, if you can tell me what to look for, that would be
great.

- Phil


"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3FA45E7D.F694948A@neo.rr.com...
> Also, feel free to take the dist out of the car. Mark on the block
> where the rotor is pointing, and then take all the bolts out and remove
> the dist. The rotor will pry off with a big blade screwdriver. There is
> a test for the ignitor, I can check the manual if you have a meter.
bob
>
> Phil wrote:
> >
> > My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> > determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark.
How
> > can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor
rotor
> > turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no
dust). I
> > understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
> > test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does
the
> > rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > - Phil

How does one get to this?

- Phil

"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:do%ob.152936$3f.78220@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> About 3 years ago on our 92 Accord I had what sounds like the same
> problem --- was the ignition relay located under the left foot rest that
was
> the problem as I recall.
>
> That has been the only failure this car has had since new -- all other
> repair bills have been for normal maintenance and wearables such as
exhaust,
> tires, brakes and minor front end.
>
> If I can remember the bill was something like $200 can. Oh one other
thing
> failed and that was the radio antenna which I replace with an old
fashioned
> stick style rather than the one hidden power one.
>
> I figure there's at least 3 to 4 more years of wear in this baby with just
> 180,000 km on it now.
>
> Hope yours is as dependable as this one.
>
> The Artful Codger
>
>
>
> "Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:32Xob.62459$ao4.166508@attbi_s51...
> > My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> > determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark.
How
> > can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor
rotor
> > turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no
dust).
> I
> > understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way to
> > test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does
the
> > rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > - Phil
> >
> >
>
>

I personally did not repair this but my mechanic friend told me that is
where the ignition module was located.
Under the left foot rest on a 92 Accord.

The Artful Codger
"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Vi1pb.64082$9E1.274720@attbi_s52...
> How does one get to this?
>
> - Phil
>
> "Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:do%ob.152936$3f.78220@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> > About 3 years ago on our 92 Accord I had what sounds like the same
> > problem --- was the ignition relay located under the left foot rest that
> was
> > the problem as I recall.
> >
> > That has been the only failure this car has had since new -- all other
> > repair bills have been for normal maintenance and wearables such as
> exhaust,
> > tires, brakes and minor front end.
> >
> > If I can remember the bill was something like $200 can. Oh one other
> thing
> > failed and that was the radio antenna which I replace with an old
> fashioned
> > stick style rather than the one hidden power one.
> >
> > I figure there's at least 3 to 4 more years of wear in this baby with
just
> > 180,000 km on it now.
> >
> > Hope yours is as dependable as this one.
> >
> > The Artful Codger
> >
> >
> >
> > "Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:32Xob.62459$ao4.166508@attbi_s51...
> > > My 1991 Accord stopped running, without warning. I towed it home and
> > > determined the timing belt is not broken, but that there is no spark.
> How
> > > can I determine what the cause of this problem is? The distributor
> rotor
> > > turns, and there is no evidence of distributor bearing failure (no
> dust).
> > I
> > > understand the igniter may be a problem, but that there may be no way
to
> > > test it without just buying one, which is not returnable. Also, does
> the
> > > rotor just pull off? It does not want to come off.
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > >
> > > - Phil
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

| How can I determine what the cause of this problem is?

Touch the ridge ( above coil ) of your distributor cap while some1
cranks engine, if you can feel ~1320v AC jolt, "ignitor" is fine.

Phil wrote:
>
> I have a typical multimeter, so if that is what is needed, I can test.
> What is the procedure. This car will not be kept for much longer, so do
> not want to buy a manual. So, if you can tell me what to look for, that
> would be great.
>

Here's a link to an online version of the manual.
http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/AccordManual/

Eric