ZC throwing codes.. Help!

[91ZCcivic]

i just had a ZC engine put in my 91 civic about a week ago and it was running ok, but its now throwing a 4 and 8 code which is the TDC sensor and the crank sensor which are both located in the distributor. Does anyone know why they are going off and how to fix them? The car wont even stay in limp mode. it just shuts off. Thanks any help is welcome.

[FourthGenHatch]

The Crank Angle Sensor, aka Cylinder Position Sensor is on the exhaust cam of the DOHC ZC, I assume you have the DOHC. TDC is probably a belt timing issue. I would check your belt timing. Than reset the ECU and see if that fixes it. If not depending on what kind of Civic the engine went into who ever did the wiring might not have done a good job with the CPS wires since they need to be sheilded or something like that or else they get interference.

[91ZCcivic]

I did most of the swap including the wiring. The wires I used were not shielded, so that might be the problem (hopefully) I just dont understand why the car worked for the past week after I got it done and now its doing this again. Although it was throwing just the 4 code when I first got it, but then it stopped later that day some how. Thanks for the info. I'll try to grab some shielded wire, but if that doesn't solve the prob do you have any other suggestions? Thanks

[91civichatch2571]

Originally Posted by FourthGenHatch

who ever did the wiring might not have done a good job with the CPS wires since they need to be sheilded or something like that or else they get interference.

They need to be shielded from each other? or just from everthing around them?

[91ZCcivic]

I added the new wires to the ECU from the Cylinder sensor on the exhaust cam I believe. Any way the code 4 is from the crank sensor and isn't that located in the distributor? Its got me a little confused.

[91ZCcivic]

The ZC went into a 91 civic STD hatchback. I also got the ZC transmission and the ECU.

[91ZCcivic]

Have you ran it on the quarter mile? What was your ET? im still running with my old STD intake and I hade to use the STD exhaust manifold, but I ported it out so the lobes match. but Im getting major power restraints from using that crap, but I'll work on that stuff after I get this current problem fixed.

[ZC_turbo]

when you drive your car, does it bogg when you step on the gas? if you wired everything correctly and it's throwing those codes...sorry to say but it's your distributor...one of the sensors in the distributor is bad...i had that exact same problem. also does your check engine light come on right away when you step on the gas? when you reset the ecu, for a while one of the codes go away then comes back right?

[91ZCcivic]

One of my codes the 4 code is gone. I got sheilded wire and that seemed to clear it up now its just throwing the 8 code for the TDC sensor. Yeah it boggs down when I hit the gas and then the damned check engine light comes on. Im going to take it out to this shop that is now sponsoring me. So Im getting some free help and use of their tools and mechanics, but i'd like to try and figure out this stuff on my own so I can fix this shit in the future. Is there anything I can do to make the TDC sensor correct itself? Or do I just need a whole new one? Thanks

[FourthGenHatch]

The DOHC ZC doesn't have the CPS inside the dist. Only if you have the SOHCs will it have it there.

[ZC_turbo]

dude, your gonna have to replace the distributor...after what you've told me, i guarantee it's your distributor...costing it to get rebuilt is usually the same price you can get one for on ebay..

[DiGiTaLePiC]

Hey 91zCcivic I am having that exact same problem with my 89 CRX. Did you get yours fixed?? ...... Cause' I can't figure this damn thing out!!! I'm going to flip out if I don't get this thing fixed soon. I was getting code 4 and 8 but I had my timing done and it got rid of code 4 but I can't seem to get rid of code 8 either!!! This is very frustrating but I'm sure you know that already seeing as you're having the same problem. I was told that the crank angle sensor is in the distributor and the cam angle sensor is on the cam side of the motor. Well..... my motor was running just fine (almost perfect) even with the code 8 error.... not bogging at all..... but I had to get rid of that code to get passed emissions. Then some guy was checking everything out and pulled all the hoses off and the wire clips to check them.... when he hooked all the wires and hoses back up.... that's when it started getting the bogging problem. Now when I rev it up it bogs out and either dies of backfires!!!! I checked the timing and it looks perfect. I replaced my spark plugs and wires. I also replaced the distributor coil and the cam angle sensor.... No Luck!!! I've been checking hoses left and right and nothing!!! There is some kind of sensor in the distributor above the coil and it has two wires going to it and one is disconnected but i'm sure it was like that before it started running like shit. Anyone know what this sensor is??? Is this the crank angle sensor?? Also if you get yours fixed could you please respond back and let me know what you did ?????????????

[DiGiTaLePiC]

Originally Posted by ZC_turbo

when you drive your car, does it bogg when you step on the gas? if you wired everything correctly and it's throwing those codes...sorry to say but it's your distributor...one of the sensors in the distributor is bad...i had that exact same problem. also does your check engine light come on right away when you step on the gas? when you reset the ecu, for a while one of the codes go away then comes back right?

Any luck ?????? If so tell me how you fixed it... .Please!!!!

[91crxracer]

i had a very similiar prob with mine and it turned out when we installed my zc the plugs were backwards on the distributer and the exhaust cam sensor... the green plug is supposed to be on the exhaust cam sensor and the white plug on the distributer. next time your under your hood just take a quick peek at it and make sure its right.

[DiGiTaLePiC]

Originally Posted by 91crxracer

i had a very similiar prob with mine and it turned out when we installed my zc the plugs were backwards on the distributer and the exhaust cam sensor... the green plug is supposed to be on the exhaust cam sensor and the white plug on the distributer. next time your under your hood just take a quick peek at it and make sure its right.

No this was not the problem the wire appear to be hooked up correctly. Any more ideas????