Integra2316

My wife was driving my 1999 Civic DX (220k) yesterday and it started driving real rough. It was almost like it was running on 3 cylinders. When she was at a stop light it felt like it almost wanted to stall. The check engine light began blinking. She was able to get it to where I work and took my other car. SO I researched a little a saw maybe bad spark plugs or wires. So I replaced those 2 items and same thing. So I then replaced cap and rotor. It started again and was shaking again I gave it a little gas and the motor just shut off. It will not start now. It sounds like it wants to but will not turn over. So what should I try next? I am thinking distributor?!? Any help would be great. Thanks


Chris

HOMEMADEPOWER

Might be a fuel problem. Is the fuel pump priming before you try starting your car?

slowDB7

If theres a cel, get the codes pulled it will probably tell you what is wrong

jbpnoman

Diagnosis 101: pull the CEL code. There's a sticky in this forum with a how-to. You should also rent/borrow/buy a compression tester from your local parts store and use it. Also a how-to in the stickies.

Flashing CEL means your car WAS only running on 3 cylinders.

Hondaguy83

To e eliminate a fuel probl spray starting fluid in throttle body and try starting. If it starts the. It's a fuel problem. Check for spark. If no spark prob need new distributor.

Integra2316

Ok some new developments, the car is now running again. Apparently I put the spark plug wires on in the wrong order (I know rookie mistake). The car is still running ruff and spitting a code. The wife is going to limp it to an autozone and get the codes and I will post when I get them. Thanks


Chris

Original's EM1

good that you got it fixed.
p.s. never go to autozone, they suck!

jbpnoman

You don't have to go to Autozone to pull the code. Check the stickies, like I said. With a miss, you should NEVER drive the car.

Integra2316

I will check code tomorrow thanks. Wife did not make it to autozone. The more I am thinking about it and how it sounds I am thinking a burnt valve. The head may need to be replaced

Hondaguy83

Compression check

Integra2316

that will be done tonight, will post numbers later. Thanks

Integra2316

numbers are 140 145 140 140 kinda low but car has 230k. Car seemed to be running fine tonight. I let it idle for about 10 minutes then drove it in my neighborhood. It was running normal. lol I am so stumped.

slowDB7

Maybe it was some bad gas that just had to get cycled thru

Hondaguy83

The problem was you didn't have your spark plug boot down all they or wires fully plugged in your plugs.

DCRB

fuel pump could be going out

jbpnoman

Or you could pull the codes already and post them so we can actually DIAGNOSE the problem. Codes would have taken a quarter the time it took you to do a compression test.

Integra2316

Problem is I already reset the ecu and right now it is not throwing a code.

Integra2316

SO I replaced the motor lol. Ran great for my drive home when I get home the new motor started doing the same thing! It starts to shake almost like it wants to stall and it sounds like a wrx. Maybe bad fuel? No CEL right now though

jbpnoman

And it still isn't throwing a new code?

Integra2316

THe previous code we pulled was misfire on number 3. As of right now there is no codes. This motor still has the power when I hit the gas though. The last motor felt horrible and struggled to get up a hill. It seems like it is only doing it at idle

Newbie to tech

Did you ever check your fuel pump or even fuel pressure!?

Integra2316

fuel pump is good (its getting fuel to the engine) and the fuel filter was replaced. Did not check pressure though

jbpnoman

So it's running shitty, and there's no CEL. You replaced the motor, so what the old CEL was is now irrelevant. Verify your timing is set correctly, and check your fuel pressure.

Integra2316

New cel today p1399. It seems to run like crap only after the car warms up! Any ideas??,

Former User

Check whether unplugging the primary O2 sensor makes the engine run better.