I have a 96 civic that will crank but wont start. I have looked at other threads and the CEL goes off when key on and I hear the fuel pump kick on. But I have no spark. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

Probably a bad coil or ICM in the distributor. Take them to AutoZone for testing.

 

OK here's the typical "cranks but no spark" troubleshooting drill.

Take the oil cap off and look inside. The rocker arms should move when you crank. If not, stripped timing belt. There will be no sparks in this case because the distributor doesn't rotate.

Check that battery voltage is reaching the large black/yellow wire in the 2 pin plug to the distributor, both with the key ON and while cranking. If not, check fuses and car wiring.

Take the distributor cap off and hold a grounded test wire near the coil output spring. Crank the engine and sparks should jump 1/2 inch or more to the wire. If only small yellow sparks occur, coil is bad. If no sparks at all from the coil, possibly bad ICM, distributor sensor, or ECU. The next step there would be to scan the ECU for trouble codes.

 

Thanks for the help! It ended up being the coil. I went through all the steps you guys told me and thought it was the coil. took it into AutoZone to get it tested (can't return electric parts if bought) They told me it was good. So I was pulling my hair out and had it towed to a repair shop ($45) and paid $207 instead of $75! I was ticked and needless to say I won't be going to AutoZone again.
Thanks again guys you gave me great advice I should have just went with what the coil was telling me...small orange spark = bad coil
Gozzy

 

Always remember that you don't need ANY mechanical background to work at places like Autozone. Typical employees there just tend to act like they know what they're talking about.

Live and learn, **** happens, at least you're back up and running!

 

yea autozone employees have to have only extrmely minor knowledge of cars to work there. you can get lucky and find people who used to do repairs and actually know something. and some of them know alot about random stuff. but also alot of the times they are just to lazy to plug in the right numbers. and all testers have a flaw rate, and a allowable rate so say if my altenator is supposed to run at 75 and it runs at 60 the tester will probably say good because its reading over a certain amount but it could be causing problems. my suggestion keep going just look for either the old guy or the teenager with a busted piece car that runs good. i have a few friends up at my autozone and they know alot but some people are bad. also dont ask a grey shirt they dont know anything.