Misfiring and tach acting silly

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P

Periculum

Senior Member
Hey gang, the car is an 87 crx Si. I've had the car for a few weeks and it's had a misfire or two,but nothing to worry about. On the way to work last week, the car started to misfire pretty badly and the tach started jumping up and down. It stayed in the general area of where it belonged but bounced around a lot near where it should have been. It threw a code, but I haven't had the chance to pull it yet and find out. I"m assuming it's a misfire code, since that much was blatantly obvious.

I'm thinking the distributor is trying to die, but I always like to get a second opinion.

Thanks!
 
Pull the code. It will most likely be a misfire code. But we won't know until you do it.

How new are the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor? Could be minor. Always check the cheap parts before the expensive ones.
 
I'll be able to pull the code tomorrow and I might go ahead and replace the cheap bits as well. Thanks for the heads up. Sometimes I just forget that the simple stuff can cause big seeming problems. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Check your timing first. Could have Jumped a tooth. Also the thing that would cause a tack to jump around is the alternator. Test the charge in you battery and alternator.
 
I thought I had a manual telling me how to pull a code, but I can not find it. Is there a write up or can someone explain how I pull a code from an 87?
 
The ECUs led display just stays on 8, the first light. If I'm reading the book correctly, it tells me to check the crank sensor resistance.
 
The link looks good. It mentions the TPS sensor where the haynes told me to check TDC sensor instead, but I can just check both.
 
Just checked both of the sensors that plug into the distributor for resistance per the haynes suggestion. Both are within spec. Any other ideas?
 
My first thought was the dizzy (b/c of the jumping tach) Thats what I would look into. Maybe there's a recycler near you and you can get a used one cheap?
 
Do all the civics have the same distributor? My local Pull a part is pretty good at having a variety, but they struggle getting the CRXs sometimes.

Would it be an any other car either? I'm not very well versed in the EW yet.
 
Sorry...I don't know enough but I would only look for the Si Dizzy only. I am almost certain other civics in that year would not work. You can always go aftermarket too....or maybe a JDM specialist?
 
86-87 Civic or CRX Si only....


check your vacuum lines...one was probably dry-rotted and finally collapsed/split
(the distributor is vacuum advanced)
 
Thanks for the info. I know the later civics tend to be a little more swapable with parts. I'll have to start checking around the junkyards I guess.

I'll have to check that out on the vacuum lines. I've never known a good way to check them. Any assistance on that would be appreciated.
 
I checked the two vacuum hoses going to the distributor and didn't notice any problems. I also checked the TPS sensor and it showed .50 at close but 4.0 at full open. I know the EG chassis was only supposed to be 1.0 at full open and I'm guessing this chassis should be the same. If that's the case, I'm pretty sure the TPS is my problem.
 
Sadly, I don't know if they were suppose to be the same readings on the multi-meter.

Helm manual on your car might be able to tell you....or maybe someone here?

Is it on the throttle body like OBD1 motors? If so...you could get a whole TB used
 
Look for another TB or see if Blox makes a TPS for it
 
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