Which Aftermarket Igniter

[fgiblin]

Hello All,
About six months ago, I replaced the coil and igniter in my 90Civic (std, 1.5L), so solve a low RPM engine missing/stalling problem. That worked fine, but now just 3,000 miles later, the engine is having trouble while cruising and I am getting the Code 15 light (igniter circuit). So, I'm pretty sure the igniter is shot, but I'm worried that it failed so soon.

I just orded a new one that carries the Bosch label (same as the previous one), but I've heard that some aftermarket igniters are bad (like the ones that had been used in the factory originally).

I'd like to know if this Bosch igniter is good to go or if I should reorder the part to get the NEC (I've heard that this 'brown one' is better than the 'black one'). I haven't heard anyone bad mouthing the Bosch but I'd like to know your all's opinion before I open her up.

Another factor: I had a plug come loose about a month back and had to drive it on three cylinders for about 20 miles. I understand that this can put added stress on the coil and igniter so this might have hastened an otherwise good igniter's demise.....maybe.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Frank in DC

[turtlecrxsi]

Why didn't you just plug that plug back in when it came off? I had an aftermarket coil plug come off the cap and that made the car die. I duct taped it back on, cranked it up, shut the hood and door and it started pouring... note: always carry some duct tape with you. As for ignitors, I'd go with the brown one. I tried to use one other than brown NEC one and it didn't bolt up right so I took it back. GL

[fgiblin]

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

Why didn't you just plug that plug back in when it came off? I had an aftermarket coil plug come off the cap and that made the car die. I duct taped it back on, cranked it up, shut the hood and door and it started pouring... note: always carry some duct tape with you. As for ignitors, I'd go with the brown one. I tried to use one other than brown NEC one and it didn't bolt up right so I took it back. GL

Thanks for responding. I think I'm going to reorder the NEC one.

Regarding the plug: the sparkplug had worked itself loose and then 'po-go'd' between the cylinder and the hood of the car. I turned it off right away, but it sounded like a bag of hammers under the hood, smoke and everything. I thought my timing belt had gone. BUT -- luckily -- the only damage was to the spark plug and the boot (the impact had dented the plug and compacted the wire connection so far inside the boot that it couldn't be connected to the plug terminal). I was on my way to a concert, though, so after I figured all this out, I went "on with the show." With the dead plug installed but the ruined wire disconnected. Then I was able to replace the plug and the wire a couple days later.

Cheers!