1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

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Zman civic

New Member
I have a 1990 civic Si 1.6 5speed stock hatchback. I have been having problems with the vehicle randomly not starting in hot days. I am aware of the possible main relay issue on hot days. I have not replaced it.
However, yesterday I was driving on the freeway doing about 65mph when the car just shut off. After stopping I attempted to restart the car. It turns over and was attempting to start but just couldn't. I towed it home and checked the following...
-I have spark at the spark plug
-I have fuel at the filter
-I have fuel to the fuel rail (it passes through the filter)
-I used a noid tester to check the wire harness at the injectors, it flashes good
-I replaced my timing belt over a year ago. Checked to make sure the belt was not broken. The belt was tight and looked fine.
-checked all fuses under dash and under hood.

What could be the problem?

I felt I should post this because I couldn't find a thread out there that offered other ideas on what to check other then the above things.
I towed the vehicle to a local honda dealership for a diagnostic test. I will post what the problem is and hopefully this will help others later on.

For now I would like to hear what else I could of checked? Lets see if anyone gets it right before I get the call from the dealership.

Things I personally replaced on the vehicle:
-clutch and fly wheel
-rear engine seal
-all engine mounts
-both front axels
-alternator
-battery
-timing belt and timing belt tensioner and water pump
-oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket
-plugs and wires, dizzy cap and rotor
-gas tank and straps
-radiator
-brakes and rotors all around
-inner and outer tie rods
-possible more I cant think of now!

I only list these repair to show I know this car and have repaired a lot and for some reason I can't figure this one out. Its was a sense of defeat when I had to tow it to the dealership. :confused:
 
Update

OK... the dealership called and said they have a spark but a weak spark. Then said they tested the coil and it is good. They wanted to replace the dizzy cap and rotor and plugs and plug wires for about $600. They also said the car is flooded and the gas got into the oil so it needs an oil change. NO WAY. I just replaced them all a few months ago. I called autozone to confirm the warranty. Everything was covered so all I had to do is buy new plugs. I went right to the dealership and swaped it all. When I removed the dizzy cap I found the rotor was free spinning. The screw that holds the rotor in place was missing and not in the dizzy cap. WTF. Now I was thinking maybe this caused the car to shut off.... this would explain the spark but a weak one and it would be out of order and random. However, I swaped everything and still no start. I am going to return to the dealership tomorrow and change the oil. I think they opened the dizzy cap, saw the rotor free spinning and tired to sell me $600 in repairs. I am now missing my factory screw and had to use the after market screw. Also, I told the service guy I was going to swap the stuff myself and he said I should use Honda parts. $352 of honda parts for a tune up! I call BS. Any ideas out there. Really would help. :confused:
 
If the dealership said they tested the Coil I would hope they would of tested the ICM too. Would this still deliver a spark though? What is the best thing I can do about the flooding or will that not affect the starting?
 
when i took mine out to get it tested it tested ok. but when it was in the car and got hot it would fail. I didnt have spark at all so idk. for the flooding pull the spark plugs, cut the fuel, and turn it over. That will get any extra fuel out.
 
Yeah idk. The dealership said if I replace everything they will look at it again. You think the best way to kill the fuel is to pull the fuse to the fuel pump? I dont really want to risk leaking fuel on their lot. I will find myself getting kicked off!
 
yeah. just pull the fuse, pull the plugs and turn it over a bit. then work on getting good spark
 
ok I pulled all plugs and cranked the car over by hand. I could feel the air flow from the holes. Still no start. I changed the oil too just to prove a point to the dealership. The vehicle just cranks over and over. No start. I am going back to confirm I have spark on each plug when I can find someone to turn the key for me. Will update soon. I need more feed back from others! Thanks for the help
 
The last entry in this thread from the OP was April 2011, over a year ago.
 
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