Car cranks, but won't start. Maybe bad dist?

[vernon_cb7]

I own a 1993 accord se coupe, and I've had the main relay replaced, distributor cap and wires from auto zone, and an ignitor straight from honda. But on my way to school the other day, the engine died twice. It didn't stall, but it just hit 0 on the tach. and jumped right back up when I pushed harder on the gas.

And the day after, I started the car up right away but it died and stalled after about 5 minutes of driving. Tried starting it back up, but it was only cranking.

Could this be a product of the entire distributor being bad?

[BurtonRiderT6]

Have you checked for fuel and spark?

While I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the ignition system failing after everything was replaced it could be a fuel issue.

[10thAnnivCB7]

yea ,, check fuel and spark first.

[92cbmil]

It could be the dizzy but did you make sure you put everything on correctly first. Also check to see if your getting fuel. You should also consider changing your plugs.

[vernon_cb7]

I had all of these installed by a Honda mechanic, so I'm hoping it was installed correctly haha. I'll check for fuel and spark as soon as I get home though

[dhill_cb7]

How is your IACV? (idle air control valve)
Mine ran like crap for a few months last summer like it would shake and almost stall. The RPMs would also drop below normal.

[SilverShadow]

What parts did you get from Auto Zone and what parts did you get/installed from Honda? If you only got the ignitor installed by Honda, the other parts might be faulty.
Like they say..check fuel and spark. Are them plugs old?

[S.W.A.T]

Check for lose groundings.

[BurtonRiderT6]

Check for lose groundings.

I don't think grounds are the issue here, unless he started taking grounds off. Sounds to me like he's having a fuel delivery problem based on the fact that he was cruising (assumed) and it started to die and only came back after pressing down on the accelerator.

[vernon_cb7]

I got the spark plug wires, and the distributor cap from autozone. The ngk plugs are only about a couple months old. So they should still be good. I forgot to mention I also replaced the ignition coil with one from the junkyard.

I'm thinking it could be in the distributor because this is actually the second time this problem came up. The ignitor was the culprit even though it was bought brand new from Honda a month earlier. Any ideas into what can make an ignitor go bad?

[cloudasc]

Got a can of ether/starting fluid? Try spraying it into the intake, then crank it over, if it starts then dies, its most likely a fuel delivery problem, otherwise its ignition, as you should always have air, unless there is an obstruction somewhere.

Igniters on their way out usually exhibit a classic sign of a dancing tach independant of engine operation. I would check your coil, especially if its internal, when mine died the car just shut off, and wouldn't start.

[RyanD]

Main relay went out?

[redlined302]

Now what was the results when it was checked for fuel? I had a similar problem on my civic hatch and it was a clogged fuel filter. Check your fuel filter and make sure its not getting backed up as well as the lines. If that doesnt work, I would check the coil on the distributor. My hatch as also kicked the bucket due to a burned out coil.

[92cbmil]

How long ago did you get the coil from the junkyard. It could have been on it's way out.

[vernon_cb7]

My dad put a new distributor in and it started right up. I got the ignition coil less than a month ago, and I have another one from auto zone. Hopefully everything's all good now.

My parents were even trying to trade my car away. I wouldn't want that because I got it in mint condition, only 96k on it. With only a crack on the outer layer of the sunroof. And it only has ~120k on it at the moment.

Edit: And it turns out the old dizzy had gotten oil in it. Is there anything to check so it doesn't happen again?