JohnnyWash1

Hey all,

I just bought a 1992 Civic DX. The car drives perfectly, until you come to a stop sign. The car will sputter and die, eventually. The previous owner said her mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty distributor; does this sound right? I would think a bad distributor would affect driving as well. Any insight?

vici0us

Seems like you got an idling problem of some sort.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Any CELS-Check Engine Lights?

JohnnyWash1

Sorry, not enough info in OP. No, there are no other symptoms, including CELs. The car seems normal until you come to a stop.

honda.lioness

Does this only happen after say 20 minutes of driving? If so this does point to a failed ignition coil (a part of the distributor). The distributor is the Achille's heel of this generation. Consider replacing the igniter at the same time. Use only OEM parts for anything ignition related. They pay for themselves in longevity.

The sensors in the housing are also known for failing. Fortunately the OEM dizzy housing is very inexpensive for the DX.

vansxskater

Kind of sounds like your SS sensor.

JohnnyWash1

I have only driven it home, however, I did not start doing this until I was almost home. During the first few minutes, while warming up, the car seemed to be fine at stops. It wasn't until I was almost home that it did this.

Former User

If the problem only happens when stopped, then you likely have a low idle problem. Does the CEL work? If so, try cleaning the IACV.

JohnnyWash1

RonJ, I was hoping to hear from you. It only happens when idling. Do you think it could be the distributor? I'm trying to figure out the mechanic's thinking.

JohnnyWash1

RonJ, I was hoping to hear from you. It only happens when idling. Do you think it could be the distributor? I'm trying to figure out the mechanic's thinking.

EK_MaGz88

could be a bad IACV-Idle Air Control Valve.. If you have a buddy with the same car, try swapping the IACV.. they are too expensive to risk buying one and end up having the same problem.. haha

honda.lioness

This is enough to point strongly to a bad coil. You can check it. From my experience I would just replace it and probably the igniter, too.

foo fighters

Sounds to me like a PCV valve or TPS.

SOHCCody

Clean the IACV, check your idle, if not id say replace the coil

JohnnyWash1

Thanks guys. I think the coil has been replaced recently, as I found the old one in the glove box. I will purchase an igniter.