A 1994 honda accord ex, 4 cyl VTEC, 135K miles. Stopped at the store
one day a couple of months ago and when I returned car would not start
- turning over, but not firing. Had it towed to repair shop. They said
distributor was fried (no spark). They replaced it with a new distributor ($450 plus $200 labor - think I was ripped off
h
. I went to pick it up and it started, but the check engine light came on after about 2 seconds. The mechanic told me to drive it for a week or 2 and it should go away after the computer learns and adjusts settings. OK, I'll try that, but it never went away. When you start the car, the check engine light is off, then after about 2 seconds, it lights up. I could tell it wasn't a hard error, but was getting a code after the engine started running each time. The engine runs good with no apparent performance problems. I took it back to the mechanic. He replaced the distributor again (no cost to me this time), saying maybe he got a bad one. Same problem. He read the code with a scan tool and it was 09 (CYP), noisy position sensor. After scheduling 2 more appointments and replacing 2 more distributors, the same problem remained. The mechanic was stumped (and at wits end). I told him it was most likely incompatible parts from his supplier. I went on the internet and found another source (and much cheaper at $189). He agreed to buy it and see what happens. He installed it and NO check engine light. I picked the car up and was driving, when about a half hour later the check engine light comes on. Again, the code is 09, only now it does not come on after 2 seconds, but seems to be related to heat - the longer the car is off, the longer it takes for the check engine light to come on. In the morning, after sitting all night, the light will come on after about a half hour of driving. If I shut the engine off, then immediately restart it, the light is off, but returns again in a couple of minutes (engine is heated up). I don't want to go back to the same mechanic for obvious reasons. I don't know where to look from here.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.