arcing between dist. housing and head???

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Got a '90 CRX. Replaced the distributor, coil, igniter, cap, rotor, wires and the wiring harness going from one of the plugs to the igniter and coil. These were replaced due to a start-run for a second- die -condition. Now it fires up but wont go past 3500 rpms, just kinda bogs down and has a BAAAD misfire. Also idle is very rough. Have checked the timing belt to make sure it is correct and it is. Now for the kicker: when it misfires it is actually arcing from the distributor housing to the cylinder head. Discovered this when i went to move the timing. That is when i saw the sparks arcing over. WTF?????? Have never seen or heard of this before... Has anyone over here seen this? Any input would be greatly appreciated. (and btw all the parts installed are Honda OEM parts. no aftermarket stuff):confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
uncontrollable spark

your ignition always takes the easy path too ground. Be sure all parts were installed properly. Engine is grounded correctly? I came across a cap and rotor set that the rotor was incorrect for the cap too much clearance between rotor tip and cap. This excess clearance will cause the ignition to ground to inside of distributor. you may see arching from dist housing under heavy load.(hard acceleration) or quick throttle snap. Keep in mind if problem was not there before new parts were installed chances are if you go back over what you just put in you will find your problem. hope this helps. ak
 
the old distributor was a TD18U and the new one is a TD02U but according to the boys at Honda that is part of a "parts unification process?" whatever the hell that means. According to them the TD18U is not being made anymore. Think I should try and buy a rebuilt somewhere?
Thanks for taking the time to reply
:eek:
 
Got a '90 CRX. Replaced the distributor, coil, igniter, cap, rotor, wires and the wiring harness going from one of the plugs to the igniter and coil.

Just to clarify, you changed all plug wires and sparkplugs?

If you changed all those parts at once, and you still have all the old stuff, go back and put the old stuff in one component at a time. Might help you troubleshoot the arcing.

While you're in there, double check the grounds.

That's all I got.
 
The bricks are giving in....slowly

Thanks for the thoughts...All the ignition parts were replaced from distributor wiring to plugs. I have been swapping the old and new parts back and forth... now it does rev past 3500, just has no power past that...Took it for a test drive and got the cel to light up. Got codes 1,4 and 15. Downloaded the Helms manual and checked the codes against their troubleshooting charts. 1 and 4 check out but 15 came out with low voltage at the computer. Was supposed to have battery voltage but it only showed 8V. So I'll give the puter a try.... Did check all the grounds and cleaned them up to make sure they're all good.
Cheers :D
 
new (used) computer

Got a used computer for the rex and that got rid of the arcing between the dist. housing and head. I think it was a 12 V electric spark and not an ignition spark (due to its yellow color, not blue like ignition spark). Still got some rough idle problems and misfire issues but the spark is gone...I think I am making headway with this thing. Now I just gotta drive it a bit and see if I get any codes out of it.
Thanks to anyone who read this and tried to help....
 
She Runs!

Finally got all the problems ironed out and it is now the new daily driver.....now what to do with the 89 Accord....any swaps possible for a car of that age???
Thanks guys
 
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