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

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Old 04-02-2011, 08:42 PM
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Icon2 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

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. It was a sense of defeat when I had to tow it to the dealership.
Old 04-02-2011, 08:43 PM
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Icon2 Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

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.
Old 04-02-2011, 09:38 PM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

damn i was just about to say check your rotor screw...any cels? could be main relay...cant believe they tryed to hustle you like that your screw should be there if it came out the caps sealed gl bro
Old 04-02-2011, 09:52 PM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

http://techauto.awardspace.com/
Old 04-03-2011, 03:38 AM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

I was going to suggest the ignition switch. I have a couple of these go in my familys cars, and another three or so with local honda cars. The contacts in the ignition switch wear out, you get random times when the car won't start, and finally you have nothing. If it's the IG1 or IG2 contact that goes, then the car will just stop as power to several major areas is cut. Its a hard one to pick.
Old 04-03-2011, 05:20 AM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

hey bud ur screw for ur rotor is in the distrubutor still (unless it fell out whenu took off the cap which i doubt) but its in the dizzy stuck to ur magnet,, thats the cheapest easiest fix i ever had on a honda
Old 04-03-2011, 06:11 AM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

i had that happen twice on a civic ended up using loctite on it
Old 04-03-2011, 08:10 AM
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Default Re: 1990 Civic Si 1.6 Car Shut off while driving...won't restart.

i second that ignition switch my buddys ef kept dying on the road and we found out it was the ignition switch not the lock cylinder ok
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