Can you set the timing on your 1994 Civic DX if your car doesn't start?

I don't know what you're trying to fix but the answer is you can get the timing close by setting it statically. there are a series of three dots on the inner rim of the crankshaft pulley. the center of three dots should be red. you can turn the engine to top dead center by turning the crankshaft bolt with the transmission in Neutral. the red dot on the crankshaft pulley should line up with the v pointer on the block above the pulley. be sure to take the distributor cap off to confirm the rotor is pointed to the #1 plug wire; otherwise the engine is 180 degrees out of time.

to the right of the three dots is a white dot. that is the timing mark tht lines up with the pointer with the engine running. with the distributor cap off and the red dot aligned to the v groove in the pointer, mark the position of the rotor to the distributor housing using a scripe or a drop of white out paint. then turn the crank so that the white dot on the pulley aligns with the v pointer. loosen the distributor and rotate the housing so that the scribe mark lines to the rotor and you'll be 'in time'

note: the honda distributors only go in one way so that shouldn't be a problem of being 'off one tooth'. nor should their be a problem with the timing belt as long as the rotor turns and the belt hasn't been disturbed.

hope that helps

1994 Civic Dx

The correct timing adjustment is done by synchronizing the voltage signal from your 1st spark plug against the revolution turns from your crankshaft pulley.

If you can't get your crankshaft to turn, you can't set the timing through the nudging of your distributor mount.

Generally, even if I retard my timing or advance it too much, the car still starts. This means that having correct timing is not necessarily a factor in getting your car started.

You may want to inspect other factors such as fuel released from all injectors, strong spark from all spark plugs, sufficient & clean air through your intake manifold, and good compression on all 4 cylinders.

See if pressing down a little gas as you start your ignition helps any.

Good luck!