Wehave 95 Civic 1.6L that has been a great car since we bought it new 200k miles ago. Pulled into ourgarage yesterday with no sign of any trouble, but today it will not start. Turns over fine (plenty of gas in tank, battery good, etc.) - sent it off to a mechanic who reports no spark (fuel, engine compression fine). Isolated it tothe distributor (power in okay but nothing out to spark plugs) OR the engine computer and he says it will take$300 to figure outwhich but likely the distributor (70% chance).He offers to fix with remanufactureddistributor for $550 but may not fix problem ifit's the computer. On top of a few other things (brakes, cracked windshield, etc.), looking at $1,000 to get back on the road in good shape plus the risk that it'sthe computer and the risk of another $800 plus from the mechanic. We're wondering if it'sworth putting the money into the car, whether the mechanic seems legit with his analysis, andon the odds of the distrubutor versus the computer issues. Any guidancewill be appreciated!

 

Well put it this way. You can get the same refurbished Distributor for around $165 + $90 core fee. Bring your old one in and you get the core fee refunded. The dizzy only takes a matter of about 10 minute tops to swap out. So, 550 is WAY too much.

Have you checked the main relay? If not, get in the car, turn the key to the ON position, and watch your CEL. If it comes on, stays for a second, then you hear a click and turns off, main relay is fine.

Next, I would start simple on the distributor side of things. You may just need a new cap and rotor, which is a whopping 35 bucks.

Are you positive that the battery is okay? Did you try jumping it at all? If not, do so, can't hurt. If it starts then ends up dying again and/or not starting, I'd say your alternator is dumping out on you. You can bring the battery and alternator into almost any auto store and they will test it for you.

Start simple, never think the worst right away

....and 800+ for a new computer installed, is absolutely INSANE. Its a $120 ecu, and 5 seconds of plugging in the harness.