Hi. So I have a 2000 Civic. My boyfriend changed the spark plugs and wires once night, drove it about 30 miles, then the next day we went to go to the park and it started fine, but stopped dead in front of our apartment building. I had to call the dealership to find out how to even get it out of drive. Since then the distributer cap (2xs), button, and the ignition module have all been replaced and it still doesn't work. It tries to crank over and you can hear it, but when he puts a screw driver in the plug wire I believe it is, it only sparks once. When you try to crank it as well the tachometer and the speedometer start going, and the car doesn't. We don't have much extra money since he's the only one with a job right now and I was wondering if anyone could think of anything else that it could be that we could try. Oh, also, the lights still come on and so I've been told it is grounded. Any thoughts and suggestions would be great. I don't know much about cars but I am willing to try and test things if someone can walk me through it or just tell me what they think and I could have him do it. Thanks so much!

If the Check Engine Light comes on and goes out after 2 seconds, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II), then the problem resides with the distributor. Since you have already replaced the Ignition Control Module (ICM), I would replace the coil.

How many miles are on the car?

The car has I want to say about 150,000 miles. It hasn't worked in about 3 months and I'm starting to get upset about it now and try and figure it out. I could go out and look if it's very important if you like. I did have the timing belt replaced maybe 5-6000 miles ago, and that was the original thought that it was loose, but it's fine I'm told.

Oh, as far as the check engine light, I'm not sure, but I can go check as well. I know for a fact that the battery light and the oil light do come on when you try to turn it over.

Thank you. That gives me an idea of how many miles are likely on the distributor. You are on borrowed time on the distributor housing. Many Honda distributor housings fail between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. If replacing the coil does not solve the problem, you need to install a new genuine Honda distributor housing, because the internal sensors (CKP, TDC, and CYP) are likely damaged. Install your new Ignition Control Module, coil, rotor, and cap in the new housing.

Yes, go and check if the CEL comes on and then goes out after 2 seconds.

Ok, thank you so much. I will pass this info along to my boyfriend and his father since they're the ones doing the work. Hopefully it'll be fixed!

Ensure silicone heat transfer compound was applied to the back of the Ignition Control Module, when it was replaced. Otherwise, it will not last long.

Be sure to test all under hood and under dash fuses with a test light or multimeter:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-3.html#post252145

If you don't disconnect the negative battery cable, when you work on the ignition system, fuses can be blown. Regardless, it's a good idea to check.

Ok, will do. Thank you again so much!

Ww

I tried to start my 2000 civic with the disturbuter off. Wondering if I blow a fuse some how.

Also I changed the timing belt and some how it got off time. Can you tell me the steps I need to take to get it back in time.
After I changed the belt it started but the rpms went up to 1500-2000 then it would drop to 1000 then back to 1500 or so. It kept on doing this. So I turned it off.
Help please