OK, so I own a 95 honda civic lx with 172K. I recently had a problem with it hesitating/shuddering under low rpms. Turned out to be the plug wires were bad, so I replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor. After replacing all of that it fired right up, very nicely and I took it for about a 20 minute drive.

Next day I go to start it it has a bit of a hard time turning over but then starts up, idles for a few minutes, then stalls out. I get home from work and decide to try it again, nothing, engine cranks but won't start. I pull the ignition coil to take a look and it has a bit of white residue and a little bit of rainbow coloring (possibly burn?). I also try to test the plug wire up to a bolt to see if there is any kind of spark. Nothing. So my question is, could it be the ignition coil? I'm fairly new to repairs but I have no trouble getting my hands dirty and love to learn.

If anyone has any insight I would greatly appreciate it. AlsoI have no CEL's, if that helps. Sorry for the short story.

Thanks for any help!!

 

Hey man. I tried to call you lastnight. But It is probably the coil/distributor. Definately what it sounds like. IF you know someone with the same car, borrow theirs to see if it works before buying one.

 

man, I don't know anyone with the same car, sorry I missed your call, call me when you get a chance.

 

If you have a meter you can read out the coil. that way you know for sure before you change it. a hayes manual will tell how to read out the coil.

 

If you need to use another dizzy, I can lend you a hand. You can test with the one on my car, a 93 Lx.

650-8709 Levi

Let me know if I can help.

 

If you can't solve it and you need a shop to look at it, give us a call. (804) 224-9530 Brauning Motorsports.

 

I ordered a new coil and ignition control module and it cranked up and runs fine now, however the idle seems to pulse a bit. Any ideas on why this may be? It pulses between 750-1500 rpms while sitting. Then after a few minutes it stops. Thanks for the help!

 

Fast Idle Thermo Valve?

 

cleaned the IACV and FITV and adjusted idle, runs like a champ now!!! Thanks for all of the expertise. Will be up for sale shortly, moving out of area!!
Thanks again!

 

Dude, it sounds like it's the coil. I don't know much about imports, but my '69 SS Nova was having power problems. The coil had white residue around it. I replaced it and everything was fine. Check your coil and see if is oiley. It's filled with oil and will leak if it goes bad. However, a coil for your car could be expensive. Check all of your wires for dry rot and burn and make sure all your connections are clean before you get a coil. It's highly unlikely, but Advance Auto Parts can check your altinator and battery for free. It's worth a shot before you go out and by a coil.