2001 Manual LX

That is, can the TDC issue be caused by repeated stalling, and so not be a concern if the car is driven properly.

Have LX manual with 260k miles. Let son drive it tonight. Says he stopped uphill on a steep driveway and idled for 10 to 15 minutes. He then tried to back down in reverse with parking brake on and so stalled car several times before noticing and releasing e-brake. He then drove downhill mostly for about a mile, not noticing any problem, where he stopped for a light to turn onto a faster, more level road. When he tried to accelerate from the light, he noticed the "limp home" loss of performance. I looked up the 1362/1361 codes, cleared the codes, and then completed a 30 mile test drive with no codes or issues.

I think he went into limp mode before he even left the driveway, and didn't notice the loss of power while going downhill.

My question is this. Can these codes be caused by bad shifting mistakes, or is it always an electrical/TDC sensor issue? Does the specific information on my son's driving tonight suggest anything? I need to drive 600 miles starting tomorrow afternoon, and I have to either trust the Civic, fix it by noon, or rent a car. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

2001 Manual LX

For what it's worth to anyone whose problem matches mine, the failing sensor is getting worse although it's still only an intermittent problem. Drove 1000 miles before it threw a code a second time. Talked to a guy at a NAPA store who said my son's revving might have been the final straw. I let the car cool for 20 minutes, reset the code and drove another 300 mildes before it threw a code and went into limp mode at highway speed for the first time. I'm posting now, hoping to make it the last 90 miles to my house.

2001 Manual LX

An update. I made it the last 90 miles to my house. Replaced the sensor the next morning before another three hour trip. Not too difficult a job if you don't remove the valve cover but only lift the driver's side enough for the upper timing belt cover to be removed. (I already have oil leaks so not using RTV at the corners by the cam won't add much to my oil leak problem.)

Did the new sensor work? Well it's hard to say after only 200 miles, but the code hasn't come back. Also, the torque/throttle response seems a little better but that may not make any sense mechanically.

Finally, I noticed a slight shadow of soot on the bumper around the tail pipe. I'm wondering if this is related, that is, if the limp-home mode and/or failing TDC caused fuel mix issues that would cause sooty exhaust. On the other hand, my understanding is that catalytic converters completely burn oil/unburned gas when they're working properly. It'd be interesting to know if the sensor caused the soot, caused a new problem with my Cat, or the Cat happens to be failing at the same time.

I'll wash it and watch it for a few 1000 miles and maybe post back here whether it goes away or not.

lazlong

Catalytic convertors only last about 100K miles. It either a miracle that yours lasted so long or it's not the original cat.

It's entirely possible the bad sensor has throw the air/fuel ratio off, which can kill the cat quickly. Just monitor it for now and worry about it when you actually get a cat or O2 sensor code.

2001 Manual LX

Thanks for the reply, Laz. I bought the car new, so the cat is original as is the clutch. Most of my miles were on the highway and that may be why they've lasted so long. But I taught 3 kids and a friend to drive stick on this clutch, so maybe I'm lucky.

I'll watch for Cat/O2 codes, which seems like good advice. In the meantime, I've been too lazy to wash it but the new sensor has eliminated all the 1361/1362 codes. Take care, and I'll post something on the soot if it continues.