DARKBOOST

My 04 civic 4dr auto 1.7 is having problems. Cut off while driving, now cranks fine, starts fine, but runs for about 3 seconds then dies. Nothing i do will keep it running past 3 seconds. I can rev it up, but still dies. Engine sounds smooth. Timing belt was done about 2 months ago. Checking for codes today. Any ideas?

GT30EK

Is there a light of a green key flashing when it dies? If so that why it is shutting off. Mean there is a problem with the immobilizer system.

DARKBOOST

I did notice that light flashing. Only the dealer can mess with the immobilizer system correct?

DARKBOOST

That light only flashes when i take the key out, when it actually dies, the light is off.

dimes10

Vacuum leak or maf sensor I would guess.

DARKBOOST

No codes! Car never had an CEL when it was driveable and still no codes. Wouldnt a bad MAF throw a code? I tried unplugging to see if it changed but nothing. Its weird how it cuts off exactly at the same time, even if i have the gas floored, same time. Im really thinking its the immobilizer. Im also thinking the ECU. But no codes?

DARKBOOST

VERY similar to this but idles a little higher...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUpsSk_7zwQ

HONDAPARTSMANMIKE

when you crank the car over is the immobilizer light flashing??

DARKBOOST

No it flashes when im taking the key out. Its sitting at the dealer now.

OH honda boy

Car's about 8 years old? Hmmm....sounds like your due for a new alternator to me. The only time my car totally died when I was driving is when my alternator went out on me. They typically last about 7 years.

DARKBOOST

Dealer didnt help much, tested for spark, fuel and charging system. Tab was started to get high so im gonna start over and recheck things. I dont know if they were taking me for a ride or not.

tootybaby

I had the same problem with my car. Big question... can you rev it at a high rpm for quite a while?? The thing I can suggest is that you check for vacuum leaks first. Then if those are all good, go ahead and check the MAF sensor... even if the wiring is slightly off, it'll make you're car "die out". Then after checking the MAF sensor and wiring, you might want to check if you need a new fuel pump. My problem was the rewiring of my MAF sensor.

DARKBOOST

-Yes i can rev it up high, until it dies at 3 seconds. For those 3 seconds car sounds fine, revs good.

-I dont see no vacuum leaks. All my sensors are plugged in and look good, untouched. I wiggled all of them just to make sure and unplugged each of them while cranking to see if it starts up, i had cars where if the faulty sensor is unplugged the car will run.

-I dont see a MAF on this car and the repair manual doesnt show one. This has the 1.7 SOHC engine. Only sensor on the intake piping is the IAC.

-I sprayed some starter fluid in the TB and still doesnt run longer than 3 seconds. Checked all my fuses. Compression is PERFECT.

Only thing i can think of now is ECU or immobilizer.

GoLowDrew

I like the bad alt response too, but you mentioned the dealer already checked it. Want to check it again?

Did it die in 3 sec on the first crank when cold? Or warm?

Bad Thermostat?

DARKBOOST

Yea dealer tested the charging system. I just had the car jumped by a running car while i was checking things and it still acted up. Battery voltage always was strong while cranking until now the battery felt weak so i jumped it.

No matter what temp outside, still did the 3 second cut off. Its about 60-75 over here. I dont see a Tstat being the problem but thanks for the idea.

GoLowDrew

I didn't mean the outside temp. I meant the engine temp. I had a car that died after it started, when warm. The computer sense the car was too hot to drive, so it shut it down. The thermostat was bad, so it was sending the wrong signal.

Since we are throwing out ideas, crank position sensor?

DARKBOOST

Car has been sitting overnight for a few days so the temp was never too hot.
I tested crank and cam position sensors, there good.

tootybaby

Hmmm... I dont know much about 01 civic's but what I was told was that most of honda's MAF sensor is on top of where the intake manifold connects to the actual intake. A "Mechanic" also told me that i needed a new ecu, but that "mechanic" was wrong. Other than that, I dont have any other info to help.

DARKBOOST

Its actually a 04 civic... same engine thou. Yea i didnt see a MAF since thats one of the first things i would of checked. Then i looked in the manual and nothing about it. Im still thinking its the immobilizer, i dunno why. Nothing leads to anything else. A bad ecu would throw a code. Any of the main sensors would throw a code. Spraying starter fluid didnt help so fuel pump is good as is injectors. Compression is great. If 1 or more of the coils were bad it would run, but run with a misfire and still throw a code. Charging system was tested and i also unplugged the alternator and jumped it with another car.

Only thing thats on is the maintence required light.

TheEvilBain_TDB

When they checked for spark did they say when it Dies the spark stops Then dies? Right after it dies can you start it right back up or do you have to wait a little bit? Does the car have a anti theft system?

k24em2

If the ecu relays are clicking in the glovebox, and the battery light is on, your ECU and alternator need replaced

DARKBOOST

They diding get into detail, but i rechecked for spark. The spark was constant while it ran for the 3 seconds and when it died it was still sparking and just cranking.

When i dies, i can start it back up right away and it will run for another 3 seconds and die. The car doesnt have any power locks or a key fob, and no alarm system that i can see.

DARKBOOST

I do here them click, but not really a constant clicking, maybe 2 or 3 when it runs and dies. The battery light only comes on when it dies.

I just also noticed the coolant and gas guages shake or rattle when im cranking it and when it runs. The needles in the guages. I need to video tape this ****.

DARKBOOST

The needle thing stopped, this is a vid of what its doing, not the best but something.. when u see the batt light on thats when it cuts off since you cant really hear the engine... its also alittle flooded from cranking it so it runs rough now... vid..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uvndqWNJYQ

k24em2

Alt and ECU are toast