1998 honda civic LX sedan distributor premature failure

hi guys,

I've been a Civic fan cuz I can't afford a Acura.
Anyway, I sold my 95 Honda Civic DX coupe (made in USA) as a first
owner this year and only after 8 years and 90,000miles this car needs
to replace its spark plug wire, however not distributor yet. It is in
great shape when I sold it.

However I bought a 98 Honda Civic LX sedon 5 speed (made in Japan) as
4th owner here in Toronto. It got 110,000KM (70,000miles) on it. Since
I bought it, it gradually shows its problem. First, spark plug and
plug wire has to be replaced after it died on me one morning. Then a
couple of days ago the CEL (Check Engine Light) comes on, the I went
to a mechanic today and he checked the engine code and diganoised the
problem. He said replacing the distributor will fix the problem as the
error code indicated the OSF crank sensor. I will
go to his shop tomorrow to get it fixed.

So I am wondering if this is normal for 98 Honda Civic to have so many
ignition system problems or can it be some ex-owner abuses this car so
much?

Is it a universal problem with 98 Honda Civic or just me being
unlucky?

thanks
Victor

 

The Honda distributor is a universal problem. However, the new Honda
DIS and COP is hopeful - IMO. DIS had been around for a while, if only Honda
began using DIS earlier.

DIS = distributor ignition system -potential shock hazard
COP = coil on plug.
IMO = in my opininion
Indy

 

hi guys,

It turns out today the mechanic mistake P1337: CSF Sensor NO SIGNAL
for crank sensor within the distributor assembly. He didn't charge me
anything. However I insisted to give him $20 CAN since it takes him
lots of time to find it out.

Since I have changed timing belt a month ago and start having this CEL
problem two weeks ago. This is the problem of timing belt
installation. Now I will go back to the other mechanic who replaced
the timeing belt and see if he will admit his mistake. It is Xmas now
and everyone is on vacation. Maybe I will wait for Jan. then. I think
it might due to rushy installation at this mechanic shop and I have to
run over some speed bump everyday at work. So it could make CSF sensor
getting loose and lost connection? I have no idea, just a wild guess.
Right after the installation of timing belt, CEL didn't come on for a
week or so.

The strange thing is the other mechanic reads a different code which
is P300: random misfire. I think wrong timing will result in this
misfire, right? Both of them are the only code that are available when
they tested. How come two OBD tools returns different code?

Victor