SiliconDoc
Banned
I have a nasty dying problem in a stock 1990 LX Civic Sedan.
Has been well maintained for life, 120,000 miles - water pump and timing belt has been replaced multiple times, new tires, brakes, exhaust, head gasket etc.
Was on the highway last week and it died at 65mph - towed and started diagnosing:
1. No spark, replaced distributor - spark now good - starts and runs but cuts out
2. Tested Main Relay, no solder cracks, tests good on all posts
3. ECU/ECM/Computer throwing NO CODES
4. CEL comes on 2 secs, get proper relay clicks
5. Replaced OLD fuel filter, idle is good
6. All main grounds cleaned and good
7. All fuses checked OK
8. Plugs and Wires good
9. New exhaust and muffler no leaks
10. oil and filter changed twice to clean engine
----
New parts awaiting install :
1. coolant temp sensor ( sends to ECU for gas mixture control)
2. O2 sensor (recently replaced)
3. air filter (recently replaced)
4. radiator fluid and flush
5. other assorted items like NGK V-plugs
----
Here is the cutting out issue:
After new distributor install I travelled 120 miles without a problem, but BEFORE that trip I had the oil changed twice and put Chevron Techron Fuel System & Injector cleaner in the 20 yr old gastank. On the way back @ about 140 miles total, it cut out/died on the highway. It would restart in neutral rolling - and hitting key - OR by pumping the pedal without touching the key. So when I got back I changed the Fuel Filter.
Yesterday I ran around and it cut out 3-4 times in 15 miles or so of short trips.
When it cuts out, all electric is still going, dash, lights, radio, etc - while rolling I can shift to neutral and restart, and it will restart - hitting bumps doesn't seem to cause it - there are no rough running or other warning signs, uphill or downhill, turning or not- doesn't matter, and amount of time it takes is random - outside temp doesn't seem to matter, nor does heavy fog.
Sometimes restarting requires a little cranking by trying more than once or turning key all the way to off, or so it seems - not certain because the restart can be within SECONDS of it dying - then it might run for miles with no problem. It doesn't bog down just dies, although other times I can feel it/hear it cut out, so I pump the gas pedal and that MIGHT keep it going or not, but IF it "recovers" it runs fine.
---
I'd just like to say WT* !?
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edit: 1.5 liter PGM-FI
Q. Does saying it's probably the ignition switch sound correct ?
Q. Would it likely be a weak fuel pump ? I mean that seems like NOT to me.
Q. Perhaps the timing is a bit off ? That couldn't cause this weird issue - more like an electrical short I would think.
Q. I've seen some threads say bad gas on similar but I drove 120 miles on the same tank of gas before it went into goofy cutout mode.
Has been well maintained for life, 120,000 miles - water pump and timing belt has been replaced multiple times, new tires, brakes, exhaust, head gasket etc.
Was on the highway last week and it died at 65mph - towed and started diagnosing:
1. No spark, replaced distributor - spark now good - starts and runs but cuts out
2. Tested Main Relay, no solder cracks, tests good on all posts
3. ECU/ECM/Computer throwing NO CODES
4. CEL comes on 2 secs, get proper relay clicks
5. Replaced OLD fuel filter, idle is good
6. All main grounds cleaned and good
7. All fuses checked OK
8. Plugs and Wires good
9. New exhaust and muffler no leaks
10. oil and filter changed twice to clean engine
----
New parts awaiting install :
1. coolant temp sensor ( sends to ECU for gas mixture control)
2. O2 sensor (recently replaced)
3. air filter (recently replaced)
4. radiator fluid and flush
5. other assorted items like NGK V-plugs
----
Here is the cutting out issue:
After new distributor install I travelled 120 miles without a problem, but BEFORE that trip I had the oil changed twice and put Chevron Techron Fuel System & Injector cleaner in the 20 yr old gastank. On the way back @ about 140 miles total, it cut out/died on the highway. It would restart in neutral rolling - and hitting key - OR by pumping the pedal without touching the key. So when I got back I changed the Fuel Filter.
Yesterday I ran around and it cut out 3-4 times in 15 miles or so of short trips.
When it cuts out, all electric is still going, dash, lights, radio, etc - while rolling I can shift to neutral and restart, and it will restart - hitting bumps doesn't seem to cause it - there are no rough running or other warning signs, uphill or downhill, turning or not- doesn't matter, and amount of time it takes is random - outside temp doesn't seem to matter, nor does heavy fog.
Sometimes restarting requires a little cranking by trying more than once or turning key all the way to off, or so it seems - not certain because the restart can be within SECONDS of it dying - then it might run for miles with no problem. It doesn't bog down just dies, although other times I can feel it/hear it cut out, so I pump the gas pedal and that MIGHT keep it going or not, but IF it "recovers" it runs fine.
---
I'd just like to say WT* !?
--------------------
edit: 1.5 liter PGM-FI
Q. Does saying it's probably the ignition switch sound correct ?
Q. Would it likely be a weak fuel pump ? I mean that seems like NOT to me.
Q. Perhaps the timing is a bit off ? That couldn't cause this weird issue - more like an electrical short I would think.
Q. I've seen some threads say bad gas on similar but I drove 120 miles on the same tank of gas before it went into goofy cutout mode.
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