I have an 1989 Acura Integra RS. Driving to work today it started missing and died. Once on the side of the road, I saw smoke coming from under the hood. Long story short there's a small cylinder shaped piece mounted to the side of the distributor that is totally fried. It looks like it has two wires coming from it. It looks like a small condenser but not sure. The auto parts store had no idea what it was. Can someone identify this part and give any advice? Thanks in advance.

Jay

 

If you could provide pics, it would be much more helpful.

 

is it in this pic?

 

Sounds like what I like to call the tower of power (not to be confused with the 70's porn flick). This is where the coil hits the distrib and is the likely culprit. Cop another distrib and be on your way. If it happens again, your coil is giving up too much power or your alternator is giving up too much.

You can check the alternator with a Voltimeter. It should read between 11.6 and 13.8 volts (this is a rough estimate). Don't check the coil because you'll fry your voltimeter unless it is of industrial or commercial quality.

For more specific readings, check out the manuals: www.hondahookup.com/manuals/ (registration required) They may have the proper voltages listed. Note that if they don't have a manual for Integra, check out a Civic of your model year range.

 

I just so happen to have a good used distributor, that an ebay dick sent me on mistake, and won't take back. It's # TD-43U. I needed one for a 1992, and this one will not fit my car.

 

Yes, it is in the picture a few replies back. Just to the left of the oil filler cap is the distributor adjustment bolt. Right above that bolt is the part I need. It's a small silver cylinder shape. You can see the two wires coming from it going to the quick connect right beside it. I tried sending a picture but I wasn't allowed to attach it. It says my file size is to large.

 

do you have a host for the image? try photobucket.com

so its a harness thats bad?

 

Here's the part I need identified. I'm still not sure if I did this right. As you can see from the first picture it's fried. I think there should be two wires coming out the end.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/...a/Acura002.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/...a/Acura001.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/burrissa/Acura.gif

 

good question, i dont see that part here....

 

Thats odd in that picture a few post back the dist. looks like it's rotated forward so the flat part is point down. Mine has the flat part up. I have a photo in one of my prior post.