Phoeniix

Hello Everyone!

HELP.

1995 Civic EX VTEC engine quits at highway speed.

Pull over, stop, put in Park and engine cranks.
Sometimes it fires, sometimes it won't.
185,000 mi.
Don't know the history except signs of front end collision.
Looks like a junkyard recovery.
Saw the Ignition switch recall in another thread which included this year/model, but when I search for it, I can't find it for this year of this model.
Other symptoms:

1. Headlights, Turn Signals, Hazard 4ways and their dash lamps all work. Dash illumination light is intermittent, so far engine has only quit when light is out. When dash light goes out Automatic Shift column lights go out except for the "1".

2. All other "Idiot" lights seem to work.

3. Radio works (Aftermarket? Panasonic) but switches to CD etc. intermittently and when the dash light goes out. Thinking power spike or ground fault.

This is my commute car, and if it is down I must ride the Harley in the rain.
It is hurricane season here and believe me hydroplaning a Harley at 65 will give you a new appreciation for cars! (done it 3 times, that is why I bought this car)

Any help rooting out the problem will be appreciated.

98ekb18c

Check for shorts in the engine harness and check out the main relay.

Former User

Any CEL codes?

When engine stalls and won't restart:

1) Listen for whether the fuel pump primes for 2 seconds when the key is turned from off to ON(II). Also watch for whether the CEL turns on and then off after 2 seconds.

2) Check for spark. Click Spark link in my signature.

My two guesses at this point are a bad main relay or bad igniter unit, but do the tests I mentioned above.

Phoeniix

Checking the main relay right now, no visible cracks, plan to re-solder anyway. Any links to the correct test procedure/electronic diagram for this unit? Can't seem to find it for this model honda. If I can verify bad, I'll just get a new one.

Former User

There's really no need to buy a new main relay if you can re-solder it.

http://techauto.awardspace.com/mainrelay.html

AutoZone can test igniter units.

But to confidently pinpoint the problem, do the troubleshooting tests I mentioned the next time the engine won't start.

Phoeniix

Thanks, will check out the links you provided!
...and the test you suggested.

btw It always starts except after one of these "Quit while running" episodes.

You are awsome!!! Thanks also for the quick reply!

God bless...work to do now!

Phoeniix

One more refinement in the symptoms that makes me suspect the Main Relay:
Each time this has happened I have been driving for 15-20 min. at highway speeds (60-75mph). We are having very hot weather. It seems to be aggravated by a weak battery.

I did find 2 solder joints that were darkened and I refreshed the solder on all the connections and reinstalled. Started right up, Idle seems to be about 100-200 RPMs higher and smoother. CEL has been operating normally.

Next Day: Correction CEL was operating normally. Took it for a test run last night...had to walk home! Still didn't get a code, BUT the fuel pump was not priming after it quit on me. Went back to get it this afternoon, started right up of course! Narrowing down the possibilities!