Several questions all revolving around an error code 9. First off, the symptoms: Start the car, and while it cranks up and runs, after a few seconds to a minute of so, it will run rough for a second, throw the check engine light (error 9) then smooth out. I pulled the harness on the distributor and put an ohm meter on it, and all the connections test out within the tolerances listed in my Hayes manual.

Just recently, the car has become increasingly difficult to start but will run. I had decided to put a new distributor in, but when I called to ask my parts store is the had one, they say there are four options and which one do I have? I have no idea, nor am I sure how to find that out.

So my questions are--is it feasible that the distributor is the culprit here, and how do I know which one is the correct one for my accord?

It is a 1994 2.2 with no markings indicating LX, DX etc

Thanks

 

What are the first ten digits of your VIN?

The problem can be the distributor, the wiring, or the ECU.

 

PAhonda--Thanks so much for writing. First ten of the vin: 1HGCE182XR
I put in a call to one of my local parts stores, and they had four different distributors for that car, and no idea which one mine needed. Any help you could provide would be outstanding.

Thanks

 

Enter your entire VIN at Honda's owner's site for recalls and see if it list detail on the car. Even if there is no recall, it may list some of the car's detail.

Safety Recalls | Honda Safety | Honda Owners Site

In addition, you can enter your VIN at sites such as Bernardi Honda Parts to get some detail.

 

According to your VIN, your car is a LX with ABS. To verify your engine, the valve cover should say 16 valve on it and not say vtec.

All distributors from a 94/95 accord 4-cylinder LX or DX will work (not EX). I'd almost suggest getting a used one from a U-Pull-It type junk yard instead of throwing a new part at it.

One of our moderators had the same code 9 and found the ECU was the problem. The only way to test the signal from the senor is to connect an oscilloscope to watch the pulses. I'm not sure most DIYers would have this piece of equipment. Plus the distributors from the 5th generation accords were pretty solid for the three sensors.