OK, so my beater just died on me yesterday. At first I thought it may have been the battery. I took the battery to my local AutoZone and it tested very good charge. I told the AutoZone guy about how my car cranks, but does not start and he said its most likely my starter. I asked if it was the Alternator but he said no since my battery is still good.

Anyhow, its a 1992 Honda Civic (Auto). Does anyone know if this is something easy to do. I'm not the best mechanic, but I do know my stuff. I would drive it to Joeys, but only problem is I can't even get it to start.

Or should I just tow it to a local shop around my area and pay a mechanic to do it and how much should I pay (on average).

If anyone has time this weekend to help out or want to do it for some $$, please PM me. I live by Mitsuwa area in SAn JOse/280 area.

Moderator: sorry I know its in the wrong forum, but I prefer asking local members. If it needs to be moved, please feel free too. Thanks.

 

Oh one last thing I like to mention was my beater was driving and starting fine before Thanksgiving. I went on a 4 day vacation and didn't drive it and when I got back it wouldn't start. Just really weird. I wonder if it has anything to do with the extreme cold weather????

 

Installing the starter should be a piece of cake. If I recall correctly, its sitting on the top of the transmission.

 

I did read DIY topics on autozone.com and it seems simple, but I don't want to mess it up. But does this sound like a starter problem? I also read something about a main relay prob...but the car does crank and belts move when I turn the ignition on. It just won't start.

 

It could be a main relay problem. Even with a bad relay, the car will still try to crank over, just no juice for the ECU.

 

fred, its the distributor, or the module in the distributor.

normally we change the whole distributor unit.

call me if you have questions.

 

oh its 3 12mm bolts that hold the distributor. also you have to recheck the timing after you install it.

distributors on civics and integras always go out.

 

thanks Joey..will be working on it afterwork today. And thanks for everyone else who contributed. After reading many DIY forums..it does sound like it may be the distributor unit and not the starter.

 

so what happened?

 

Well it wasn't the starter. Took apart and seems like rotor, distributor cap, and coil pack is bad. So I'll need order the parts. I'll keep you guys posted after the install.