[elderj]

For some background info: On my 94 LS (daily), I had a TD55 distributor giving me some idling issues and throwing a CEL 9, but generally ran fine otherwise (drove it for like a year like this) . Eventually replaced it with an ebay distributor which corrected the CEL and idling issues, until one day it just died while idling (which never happened with the old one) leaving me stranded (no spark, no start).

After getting the car home, I threw the old distributor on and the car runs consistently, but the CEL and idling issues returned as expected.

Not sure what caused my new distributor to die, but I suspect the coil burnt out possibly due to bad plug wires (which were causing engine hesitation which was resolved after replacing the wires which was after putting the old distributor back on the car) or maybe just the fact it was a low quality ebay product.

I'm looking to combine the working parts to make a reliable working distributor with no CEL or idle issues.

What is the best way to test an ignition coil?

 

[wino]

Advanced Ignition Troubleshooting

This article is intended to help those who have no ignition and are throwing no error codes. Tools required - Phillips Screwdriver - Digital Multi-Meter - 12-Volt Light Probe - A friend Start by removing the 3 rotor cap screws: Next, we remove the rotor. Do this by first...

www.team-integra.net

bad coil and icm will both bite you on the ass eventually so i always carry spares plus needed tools to change them out. the universe favors the prepared mind. 8)

 

[elderj]

Advanced Ignition Troubleshooting

This article is intended to help those who have no ignition and are throwing no error codes. Tools required - Phillips Screwdriver - Digital Multi-Meter - 12-Volt Light Probe - A friend Start by removing the 3 rotor cap screws: Next, we remove the rotor. Do this by first...

www.team-integra.net

bad coil and icm will both bite you on the ass eventually so i always carry spares plus needed tools to change them out. the universe favors the prepared mind. 8)

Much appreciated, That seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

I have gotten into the habit of keeping some basics such as fuses and a basic toolbag just in case of electrical issues, will add those to the kit.

Thankfully, even though the distributors are different for my car (which I can never find at my parts place) I believe they share the same coil with several other more popular models. Will check to see if that is the case for the ICM as well and will go pull some (hopefully OEM) spares or might just order some.

 

[wino]

the genuine honda coil made by tec is the way to go if you have the bucks:

Genuine Ignition Coil 30510-PT2-006 For Honda Acura Accord Civic Integra CRV | eBay

1998-2001 Honda CRV. 1992-2001 Acura Integra. Acura: Integra , EL. 1992-2000 Honda Civic. Coil Type: Coil On Plug. 1 x Genuine Ignition Coil. 1998-2002 Honda Acccord (4 Cylinder). Condion ： New Genuine.

www.ebay.com

for icm i went with wve from rockauto, good for about 30k miles:

More Information for WVE 6H1001

here's a good guide for quality parts:

[FAQ] Your Guide to Buying Quality Aftermarket Maintenance Parts for your Civic - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion

Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) - [FAQ] Your Guide to Buying Quality Aftermarket Maintenance Parts for your Civic - There was a thread recently inquiring about the quality of parts for a tune-up kit offered through a major online retailer that shares its name with a certain South American...

honda-tech.com

 

[1990 Acura Integra]

For some background info: On my 94 LS (daily), I had a TD55 distributor giving me some idling issues and throwing a CEL 9, but generally ran fine otherwise (drove it for like a year like this) . Eventually replaced it with an ebay distributor which corrected the CEL and idling issues, until one day it just died while idling (which never happened with the old one) leaving me stranded (no spark, no start).

After getting the car home, I threw the old distributor on and the car runs consistently, but the CEL and idling issues returned as expected.

Not sure what caused my new distributor to die, but I suspect the coil burnt out possibly due to bad plug wires (which were causing engine hesitation which was resolved after replacing the wires which was after putting the old distributor back on the car) or maybe just the fact it was a low quality ebay product.

I'm looking to combine the working parts to make a reliable working distributor with no CEL or idle issues.

What is the best way to test an ignition coil?

sorry if this is too late.... What I do connect a spark plug wire long. Get a old spark plug, use a long wire, bring it to the wind shield so you can see the plug fire or not fire. fast test.

 

[1990 Acura Integra]

Sorry if this is too late.... What I do connect a spark plug wire long. Get a old spark plug, use a long wire, bring it to the wind shield so you can see the plug fire or not fire. try to start motor. fast test.

 

[wino]

use a high energy ignition spark tester like this:

GearWrench 2756D Ignition Tester Calibrated For HEI Ignitions | eBay

Part Number: 2756D. • Testers verify that energy is sufficient for spark plug to fire. • Attach spark plug wire to tester end. • Clamp tester to engine as ground. • Crank engine and check for spark.

www.ebay.com

other methods using a sparkplug or screwdriver can result in a blown ignition coil.
spend 10 bucks so you dont have to spend a lot more.
or just swap in a spare coil or icm since you will need them eventually...

 

[elderj]

Sorry if this is too late.... What I do connect a spark plug wire long. Get a old spark plug, use a long wire, bring it to the wind shield so you can see the plug fire or not fire. try to start motor. fast test.

Thanks, I do that too to test if I'm getting spark in general, but was specifically looking for a test for the coil itself since it could be possible that another component of the distributor could fail resulting in no spark.