something's wrong with my computer i think. i've changed the distributor housing about 4 times now, replacing it with a rebuilt one every single time. Each time, after I drive it hard, the check engine light will come on. Originally we changed the whole housing because the screw that held the rotor onto the distributor housing was stripped. The first time we changed it (we were replacing spark plugs, wires, rotor, distributor CAP), it went in well, but we had to use a screw that didn't fit correctly in there. It ended up falling out and knocking a sensor, making my car cutoff at 3.5 RPMs and it idling really low after being driven. The second time, the check engine light went off as soon as we put the new one in there. Then I raced another GS-R about 6 times in a row, then drove it out to the country at 70-80 and on the way back, the check engine light came back on and it sounded really weird. I checked to see if it would go past 3.5 RPMs while driving back home. It did, so that was good, but I only went up to 4000 RPMs. When I got home I popped the hood and two spark plugs had come completely off the distributor. #s 3 and 4 i think. I put those back in, reset ECU, check engine light stayed on. No fuses were fried. I replace the distributor housing AGAIN and the check engine light stays on this time, however, I can go all the way up to 8 grand, but it idles really low. I haven't raced anyone, and I've gotten a brand new clutch since, so I really don't know if that check engine code is making my integra slower or not. I want to get a new computer or try to replace the distributor housing again too. I might just have a bad distributor cap or rotor.

The guy at the shop tried to check it out after he finished fixing my clutch. He said it wasn't picking up cylinder #1, and he said that before I raced the GS-R 6 times in a row, so I think its using that cylinder, but not showing it on the computer or something. He thinks I have a bad computer, or the guys who are "rebuilding" these housing aren't fixing them COMPLETELY, they're just fixing what people write down is wrong with them and sending them back out. I'm basically getting screwed, or I have a bad computer. Ugh, so frustrating.

Overall, I guess I really just want to know if having the check engine light on is robbing me of power, even though I can still go all the way up to 8k. It kinda feels slow, but I think thats cuz I'm used to it now.

****, I do not want to have to buy a new computer.

 

It really depends on what the code is, but I've generally found that if you don't get a brand new HONDA distributor, they don't last long. For some reason, the rebuilt ones just don't cut it.

 

you need to find someone with a scan tool so you can findout what the code is, you may be replacing the same part for no reason. computers dont normally go bad on honda products.

 

i think its code 9, but i'm not sure how to use that information. i've been told they don't make those distributors brand new anymore, and you can't buy them brand new either.