So, my accord has a bad, unreliable distributor. It needs to be replaced. The current place I have it at wants 420$ to replace it and the spark plugs (they are old, too). Would I be getting a good deal? Recommend another place?

94 Accord 2dr EX
Manual

11/30/2010 3:58:18 PM

I can replace this distributor and the sparkplugs with one hand tied behind my back and the other index finger jammed up my left nostril.

Buy the parts, and I'll do it for you for a good price. You're not getting taken to the cleaners, but you're not getting a great deal either.

What kind of condition are the cap and rotor in? Plug wires?

11/30/2010 4:11:50 PM

ugh. 420$ for this. Absurd.

11/30/2010 4:13:13 PM

^^ This

11/30/2010 4:37:33 PM

if there's one thing zxappeal can do, it's fix ignition system problems on old Hondas

11/30/2010 6:01:00 PM

Got to keep in mind the "distributor" on that car (probably) includes several speed/reference sensors. That's how it was in the Type-R I worked on. Pretty easy to replace at least.

11/30/2010 6:31:10 PM

Remember my 1st broken car part

11/30/2010 7:09:43 PM

Quote :

"Got to keep in mind the "distributor" on that car (probably) includes several speed/reference sensors. That's how it was in the Type-R I worked on. Pretty easy to replace at least."

That's pretty much the way this one is. Most late-model Hondas that still have a dizzy incorporate the crank angle sensor into the base of the distributor. They use an optical style arrangement with several phototransistors and a slotted disc.

Basically, failure mode on these can occur in either the optical pickup assembly or in the ignitor module itself, and most of the time they manifest themselves as heatsoak failures. That's exactly the symptom described here. Eventually it may get bad enough to cause failure while operating; the heatsoak is now occurring when you stop the engine, and there's no coolant moving through the engine and no air being circulated in the distributor. I'd be willing to bet you could cut your wait significantly by spraying the distributor with a cooling spray or a can of air (like you use with computer keyboards/components) sprayed upside down.

11/30/2010 7:47:23 PM

I had this same deal, you might be able to replace the ignitor for $75. If you are in the charlotte area go to Evans honda specialty, they are good at getting shit done quick and cheap

11/30/2010 8:57:57 PM

rockauto.com - buy parts there, have zx install it.

11/30/2010 10:05:40 PM

Who told you it was the whole distributor anyway? Did they do waveform tests on the position sensor? Test the ignitor?

11/30/2010 11:51:58 PM

they just said something like "no spark" as I remember. They didn't go deep. The invoice for potential work & estimate says:
New distributor w/ cap + rotor

I don't know.

Zx, is it something you can diagnose and know? Or am I just better off getting the whole shit?

12/1/2010 12:04:13 AM

Shit yeah, I can diagnose that. Just ask arghx. And I don't need a $5k shop scope to do it. Though that would be nice, lol...

12/1/2010 12:29:14 AM

Zx knows his distributors

12/1/2010 12:31:53 AM

rawr.

12/1/2010 12:36:41 AM

iits always been ignitor for me. I've fixed this too many damn times.

12/1/2010 10:05:55 AM

^same thing with the 95 prelude i used to have

12/1/2010 10:18:57 AM

I've done an equal number of ignitors and coils. Yes, here's a car where the coil does indeed go bad.

And I've done a few distributors as well.

12/1/2010 10:28:33 AM