Ignition System Tests (1996-1997 2.2L Accord EX, Odyssey)

TEST 1: Testing For Spark At The Spark Plug Wires

The first thing that we're gonna' do is to make sure that all 4 spark plug wires are delivering spark to their spark plugs.

We'll accomplish this by doing a spark test on each spark plug wire with a dedicated spark tester.

Avoid using any method, to test for spark, that does not use a spark tester or you run the risk of getting a false test result.

A false test result will have you chasing ghosts and replacing good parts (and that can get expensive).

Let's get started:

1. 1

   Remove the spark plug wire from its spark plug.

2. 2

   Attach the spark tester to the spark plug wire as shown in the photo above.

3. 3

   Connect the spark tester to the battery negative (-) terminal with a battery jump start cable (see photo).

4. 4

   Have a helper crank the engine while you observe the spark tester.

5. 5

   The spark tester should spark as the engine cranks.

6. 6

   Repeat the spark test on all of the remaining spark plug wires.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: You got spark on all of the spark plug wires. This is the correct and expected test result. This test result tells you several important things and these are:

• The ignition coil is good.
• The igniter (ignition control module) is good.
• The distributor cap and rotor are good.
• The CYP sensor inside the distributor is good.
• The TDC/CKP sensor assembly is good.

If your 2.2L Honda Accord (Odyssey) does not start, then you can conclude that the problem does not lie in the ignition system.

My suggestion is to test the fuel pump and engine compression.

CASE 2: You got NO spark from all 4 spark plug wires. This is not good, since without spark the engine is not gonna' start.

The next step is to remove the distributor cap and test for spark directly on the ignition coil's tower. This test will indirectly eliminate the distributor cap as a possible source of the 'no spark' result. Go to: TEST 3: Testing For Spark At The Ignition Coil.

CASE 3: You got spark from some but not all of the spark plug wires. More than likely, the spark plug wires are bad or the distributor cap is bad.

It's a common problem for one or two spark plug wires to go bad or for one or two distributor cap towers to go bad and not let spark thru'. 90% of the time, replacing the distributor cap, the distributor rotor and the spark plug wires should solve your problem.

Thankfully you can test/confirm this before you run out and buy these parts and in the next test section I'll show you how easy it is to do that. Go to: TEST 2: Testing For Spark At The Distributor Cap.

TEST 2: Testing For Spark At The Distributor Cap

It's not uncommon for one (or more) of the distributor cap towers to stop firing spark to their spark plug wire.

The cool thing is that we can easily find out if this is the case by testing for spark directly on the distributor cap tower of the spark plug wire that did not spark in TEST 1.

This test will, indirectly, tell us if the distributor cap or the spark plug wire is bad.

IMPORTANT: This test is only for when one or several (but not all) of the spark plug wires did not spark!

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Remove the spark plug wire that did not spark from its tower on the distributor cap.

2. 2

   Place the spark tester directly on the tower.

3. 3

   Connect the spark tester to the battery negative (-) terminal with a jump start cable (as shown in the photo).

4. 4

   Have your assistant crank the engine while you observe the spark tester.

5. 5

   You'll see one of two things: 1.) spark or 2.) no spark.

Let's analyze your test result:

CASE 1: You got spark. This is the correct test result and it lets you know that that particular distributor cap tower is good.

You can conclude that the spark plug wire is bad (that connects to that tower) if you have:

• Confirmed that the spark plug wire that connects to that tower DID NOT spark in TEST 1.

Replace all of the spark plug wires with a new set.

Here's why: As the spark plug wire ages, its normal resistance to spark increases to the point that the wire can not and does not transmit the spark to the spark plug. This will either cause a misfire, or a lack of power, or a no-start condition. Spark plug wires don't last forever, especially after-market ones (average life-span is 3 to 4 years).

CASE 2: You got NO spark. This test result confirms that the distributor cap is bad. Replace the distributor cap and rotor with a new set.