Page 1 of 4

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:09 pm
by waggy0382
Hi all, :D new here as I discovered you all while looking for my soloution
So I’m having an issue with my 4th gen ‘93 2.2 manual import
I’ve got no spark at the cap, have changed coil, the computer bit inside distributor, rotor arm and cap
I have a really good spark at the coil but it appears to go no further, out on new cap and rotor arm but still the same
Checked the obd1 and the engine light just stayed solid when linked
Could it be the cam position sensor? Or maybe ecu ?
Put the tester light on cam position sensor and had no current to or from either wire

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:28 pm
by Vtecmec
Hi and welcome.

So you get a solid ECU light when you jump the service connector?

The manual states that's an ECU problem.

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:49 pm
by waggy0382
Ah, yes when I jump the connector it just goes solid,
Do you know what part of the number has to match to swap the ecu out? I’m new to the car I actually bought it as a non runner and I thought it was the distributor from the symptoms originally

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:48 pm
by Vtecmec
It could still be the dizzy, they are a known weak point on these.

If it's a 2.2 vtec then the ECU will be a P13.

The service manual has extensive trouble shooting sections.

kb/viewarticle?a=10

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:01 pm
by waggy0382
:D I’ll take a look in the Manuals and keep trying, thank you

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:57 am
by Scott560
Check you didn't lose the tiny spring that sits between the coil and the distributor cap!

This is effectively the king lead from the coil to the middle of the cap. It is easy to lose it if you don't know it's there.

Also check that the distributor arm is actually affixed to the shaft, the screw can come lose and go missing aswell...

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 8:56 am
by Drax
buy a whole brand new dizzy, it really is the best way to go forward for owning any prelude trust me

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 1:54 pm
by waggy0382
Have been careful not to loose the spring, and got a new one with the new coil too, arm is defenatly making contact with the cap as I can see the marks where it’s touching, I think I’m going to try the ecu first as I managed to find a guy with one that I can hopefully get for the weekend
Failing that I think I will go for another dizzy, and after that well I guess I’ll have to trace the wiring back, it does have a toad imobolizer on it so did at the back of my head wonder if it’s related to that, but when it’s active it stops everything on the car And seams to be de activating properly

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:21 pm
by vanzep
There is an ignitor pack in the distributor so that could be faulty if coil is working ok. I think blueprint do a replacement but it is well over £200 so like Drax says maybe get a new aftermarket complete distributor as they can be bought for about £150 ish. I might have an extra ignitor pack in my spares if you get stuck and want to try that.

Spark at coil no spark at cap

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:44 pm
by waggy0382
Is the igniter pack the bit that has like 4 wires going into it that goes to the coil? If it is then I renewed that too, as i bought ana overhaul kit, the only bit inside the dizzy that I’m aware of that hasn’t been changed is the tdc sensor I did have a look but couldn’t find it being sold separately anywhere