coil output spring
 

I took off my distributor cap the other day to clean the contacts, and I noticed that there is no spring coming out of the coil. Called the local dealership to get a replacement, but the spring only comes with a new coil for $140. I can't buy just the spring. Anybody know where I can get this little spring that goes between the coil and the distributor cap? Car is a 94 civic VX. Thanks a heap.

Turns out you can buy a spring at Ace Hardware that'll fit. It is their smallest compression spring (#1) in the nuts & bolts section. I trimmed it down to be 2mm longer than the gap between the distributor cap and the coil, then twisted it onto the post that sticks out of the cap (don't know the brand, but made in Japan). It sticks on there firmly and doesn't fall off when you slide the cap back onto the distributor. Cost 79 cents. FYI.

I have repaired mine by replacing the spring with a different one. I couldn't find compression springs in the nuts & bolts section (with all the drawers of individual parts) but I obviously shopped at a different location that you did.
The replacement spring is much longer than stock and I didn't have the right tools to snip the spring to the right length. The coil tower is eroded away and the spring wouldn't 'lock in' at all so I used a bit of hot glue to mount the spring and I cleaned up the receiving end in the cap. It had some corrosion. I also replaced the cap gasket. The spring compressed quite a bit as I squeezed the cap on and tightened it with star pattern. Works fine just like before I did the repair but now less strain on the ignition system.

I got the spring from Parkrose Hardware / Ace Hardware SP-9719 , 9/32" diameter, 1+3/8" length in a pack of 4.
1999 Civic Distributor Ignition Coil - Repair Photos by danwat1234 | Photobucket