1988 ZC 1.6 CRX engine dizzy problem

**dacbietcrx** · 11-11-2006 02:18 PM

heres the scenario..i was driving then all of a sudden lost power and car died..hasnt started since..

My observation..
-Petrol tank is full and i can hear the fuel pump priming when i turn the key..
-All correct lights display..check engine comes on then clicks off..
-checked all fuses..all ok
-Now i pulled out one spark plug and connected it to the lead and grounded it and kicked it over..no spark
-Changed dizzy cap and leads - still doesnt start

After some researching..it seems these cars have a few dizzy problems..

I believe the dizzy is dead..so im going to take it to a auto electrician and see what happens..

any other ideas guys?

thanks heaps

**EuroDude** · 11-11-2006 04:07 PM

Yep the ZC engines are somewhat notorious for Dizzy problems.

You need to replace the Dizzy Igniter or Coil. Take it to a mech and get them to diagnose the exact fault, and to make sure it is indeed the dizzy,

Or if you want, you can diagnose the dizzy fault yourself using a multimeter. Buy a Haynes Maintenance manual for the CRX (or EG Civic, should be the same) and follow the instructions.

You have checked to see if the spark plugs are making a spark on the engine body, yeah? (pull one of the spark leads out and place the metal contact a few mm against a bare metal part of the engine and look for a spark when cranking the ignition)

**egads** · 11-11-2006 04:51 PM

probably the coil. maybe the igniter unit aswell. you can open up your dizzy and inspect it.

**ECU-MAN** · 11-11-2006 10:37 PM

could be the coil or ICM as mentioned above

I got a working Dizzy for sale if you need one

**fat_85_civic** · 14-11-2006 07:43 AM

most like ly the igniter, it happened to me and i think its about to happed again.
Did your tach jump around when you lost power? and does it move at all when cranking?

**dacbietcrx** · 14-11-2006 11:48 AM

when i crank the tacho doesnt move..
when it lost power and then died..the tacho sorta jumped a bit then dropped rev and that was it..
im going to take it to a few auto elec to get a quote..
anyone know of someone who fixes these?

**fat_85_civic** · 14-11-2006 03:51 PM

i would say it is definatly your igniter, it is quite easy to take off and put a new one on it is only same screws on the bottom of the dissy, it is the cost of a new igniter thats scary, $404 for my car which should be the same as yours., Luckily i have a few spares.