91 Accord, 90,000 miles.

Was driving home over the weekend, check engine light came on, started to sputter and run really bad. Made it home and now it won't start.

Checked the codes and it blinked a 4 and a 9. From what I researched this is a crank sensor and #1 cylinder position sensor.

The car has been making some sounds for the last little while... sounded like a bad bearing in the top of the engine compartment but i could not pin point it. A high pitched squeal... but not constant... more off and on.

 

These two sensors are located inside the distributor. Distributor bearing may have failed. I've heard of distributor bearing failure in thie generation Accord.

You should pull the distributor,and try turning by hand. It should turn easily and smoothly. Any grinding or wobbling of shaft(this causes sensor failure) will be reason to replace the distributor. In principle it can be repaired, but rebuilt distributors are readily available online (ebay, amazon, rockauto) at very reasonable prices; $100-$150.

good luck

 

Thanks,

Replaced the distributor and it's running good again. No CEL.

The only weird thing is the RPM gauge jumps around now and there is a slight scratching noise from under the hood. Hope this new distributor is not faulty. Is that where the RPM gauge is connected to?

 

RPM signal is generated by the ignitor module in the distributor. Did you have this symptom earlier?

Are you spark plug wires in good shape? Spray the wires w/ healty dose of fine mist of water at night and look for sparks. Any sparks suggest new wires.

If plugs are over 60K miles, suggest replacing them.

Are you experiencing in missing while rpm is fluctuating?

good luck

 

This symptom is new since replacing the distributor. The RPM gauge jumps all over the place even when the car is idling fine.

The wires are probably the originals. I did change the plugs last summer. However, the car was parked for the winter, last 6 months or so. So maybe the plugs just need a little cleaning.

No missing, seems to be running ok.

 

RPM movement may be sticking. Hopefully will loosen w/ use. Sometimes a good "thump" will work wonders w/ mechanical parts.

good luck