Top Dead Sensor...?

Helping a friend..."The top dead sensor on the car is gone. I have had several diffrent answers about where the sensor is.. Calgary Honda said that its in the throttle body (i call bs on that one... a TDC in the throttle body?) and i have heard in the distrubitor, and on the crank its self.. I would like to know where is located, and mabey what plug it is do i can just see if the terminals are dirty.. thanks guys"

Hes got an 89d15b engine...

It should be in the distributor.

well, i've heard over bringing your pistons to Top Dead CENTER (TDC) when you're doin a valve adjustment, by rotating the crank. do you possibly mean crank angle sensor? i believe that that's in the distributor....not sure what your asking for actually...i'll just shut up now :hehe:

he also said this ok so i am getting a code 8.. Top Dead Center sensor.. now what would cause this sensor to malfunction.. the cars timing was just set about 3000km ago when i did the water pump.. any ideas.. or do i need to buy another one and replace it?

the tdc sensor is inside the distributor, you can check the continuity in the plug. if you have a round plug, check continuity between terminal
a & c, those are the two most top terminals on the distributor plug with the tab side up. it should read between 350-550 ohms, if it doesn't, than you have to get a new distributor, the tdc sensor is non-servicable.

if you have a square plug (std) than the terminals are the top middle and right (b & c), tab side up.

also check for continuity between terminals and a good known ground, if there is than it is time for a new distributor.

BUT, have you performed an engine swap?(wish I would have asked that before I typed all this stuff out).

Originally posted by JoshDM
the tdc sensor is inside the distributor, you can check the continuity in the plug. if you have a round plug, check continuity between terminal
a & c, those are the two most top terminals on the distributor plug with the tab side up. it should read between 350-550 ohms, if it doesn't, than you have to get a new distributor, the tdc sensor is non-servicable.

if you have a square plug (std) than the terminals are the top middle and right (b & c), tab side up.

also check for continuity between terminals and a good known ground, if there is than it is time for a new distributor.

BUT, have you performed an engine swap?(wish I would have asked that before I typed all this stuff out).


Awsome answer.

Now, amswer me this if you can. :)

I just did a ZC swap. When I use the Integra distributor, I get a code 9, but I think the sensor is bad. So I probably need a new integra dizzy.

So I swapped in the Si distributor, and now I get a code 8, yet the Si distirbutor worked perfect on my d16 motor.

Any ideas on how to fix?

there are two wires at the bottom of the plug, tab side up, they are green and blue, try switching those wires and get back to me














the SiKiller that is fast and ugly

Originally posted by JoshDM
there are two wires at the bottom of the plug, tab side up, they are green and blue, try switching those wires and get back to me

the SiKiller that is fast and ugly


Hmmm..... I'm not seeing those two wires. The bad thing is, the color on the wires are very faded..

Here is what I have:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/514313wiring.JPG

yeah try to switch the #1 wire with the #2 wire

if ur talking about a crank angle sensor it is located on the exhast cam right next to the distributer. but the tdc sensor im not sure it may be in the distributer but i know honda distributers run on a rotor.