CR-V Ignition failure

I'd posted a couple of days ago about a possible fuel pump failure. My
2000 CR-V died in traffic and would not restart despite cranking fine.
After diagnosis, the mechanic says it's the ignition system.

Moreover, he says that the entire ignition system needs to be
replaced. This includes the ignition coil, igniter, distributor,
cables and spark plugs. He claims that once anything in the ignition
system goes bad, it burns the entire circuit. Does this sound right? i
suspect he doesn't know how to diagnose the individual components and
just wants to replace the whole lot to save effort.

Thanks

 

I HIGHLY doubt you need to replace all these parts. I think you need a
better mechanic.

The diagnosis depends on several things:
1) the symptoms that accompanied the engine stall, and
2) the quality of the maintenance the car has had.

Some questions:

When the engine died, did all the dsahboard lights come on?

When the engine stalls, does the tachometer needle suddenly go to zero, or
bobble a bit before dropping, just before the engine dies?

When you try to restart immediately after the stall and the engine refuses
to start, does the tach needle remain dead still during cranking, or does
it wiggle just the tiniest bit?

 

Hi,
Sounds like that mechanic is a bit crooky minded. Good thing he did not
say you need to replace the whole car, LOL!

 

seriously, you need a real mechanic, not that clown that simply rips you
off. crv's have computer diagnostics built in. borrow a code reader from
an auto store, retrieve the codes, then look them up. they'll tell you if
there's a pump or ignition problem.

 

It is not exactly right, but there is a large grain of wisdom in what
he wants you to do.

When is the last time the cables and plugs were replaced? They are a
routine maintenance item, so if they appear at all aged, he is right
on. Even if they are not the main cause of this problem, it is best to
start with a clean slate when dealing with ignition systems.

Otherwise, with your CR-V's symptoms, it is quite possible either the
coil or the igniter need immediate replacement. The other part may
last a while longer, but truth is, if one of these has been on the
verge of failure, it is not unusual for the other to have been
affected by the malfunctioning.

How old are the coil and igniter? Are they OEM? Typical life is around
8-10 years for these parts. They are ripe for failure.

New ignition wires and plugs are going to help the new igniter and/or
coil last longer, besides.

I would not disparage a shotgun approach here too quickly. The guy
does not want a comeback. Most customers do not, either.

When was the last time this CR-V had a full tuneup (timing checked,
plugs, wires, dizzy cap and rotor)?

 

My car did not have that ignition switch recall. The previous year and
later years did, strangely enough.

 

Owing to the fact that the car was stranded far from home and I had to
get a rental car, I decided to let the mechanic replace the entire
ignition system. It ended up costing me $500 with labor - that too
with a salvage yard distributor. It probably needed just a $50 part if
diagnosed properly.

I asked for my old distributor back but the guy claimed to have given
it to the salvage yard as core for $10. He first offered to get it
back if I paid him the $10 but the next day started asking for $50 and
refuses to tell me which salvage yard he got it from.

Not a pleasant experience.