Re: '93 civic, engine cuts out while driving on highway ?

"robb" <some@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in news:13jfmorq64mhe69
@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> "Tegger" <tegger@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:Xns99E5680BBA59Dtegger@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> "robb" <some@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in
>> news:13je4j6b51ijq37@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> > "Tegger" <tegger@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>> > news:Xns99E55C961285tegger@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> >> Does it eventually restart?
>> >> Igniter or coil. Most likely igniter.
>> >
>> > no, it did not and does not restart.
>> >
>> > Is there a way to test the ignitor ?
>>
>> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#startrun
>> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html#badigniter
>>
> 
> You got it Tegger,
> Ignitor had failed *off*.  i connected it up with bulb trick  and
> it would not switch , then i compared to a new one which switches
> just fine.
> 
> 
> One more question : when i lifted the distributor cap i found the
> *spring* that sits between the coil and the distributor cap  ...
> well the  top part was bent way over and appears that it was not
> making the connection it should with the cap. *BUT* rather it was
> just a spark gap.  There is a nice burned spot on the small metal
> contact post that is up in the distributor cap



Oooh, bad. Aftermarket cap?


> 
> Ques:   Could that condition where the contatct spring between
> the *Coil* and the  *Cap* is not connected cause stress on the
> ignitor or thew coil and maybe cause pre-mature failure ?



Like jim says, it's possible. Apparently the igniter controls its own 
dwell by sensing back EMF as the coil charges up. I guess if the coil 
ends up oversaturated, the excessive backwash HT voltage thus generated 
may serve to damage the igniter.


> 
> my reasoning being that a spark gap was causing some parts of the
> ignition system to work harder maybe due to less performance from
> the double sparking that had to occur ?
> 


That's very possible. The entire system exists for the sole purpose of 
making a spark jump at the plugs. If anything at all interferes with 
that goal, the rest of the system will be subject to abnormal load, 
possibly to the point of inducing failure.

By the way, I know OEM parts are expensive, but I strongly advise you to 
replace your igntion components with OEM only. Anything else is asking 
for trouble.


-- 
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/