Rick1t

1998 Civic EX 317K miles......Yesterday engine cut out/stalled twice.....once on the highway......by the time I pulled to the shoulder it restarted.........then again on a secondary street.......restarted with the key within a few seconds.........drove 4 hours without incident....

This morning stalled twice at stop lights.......second time did not restart...towed to a local shop....started fine no codes......

I have put 180K miles on and never changed the rotor and cap....doing that with the fuel filter this afternoon......any other ideas? I did put a can of seafoam in the tank a couple of days ago.........after that I was getting 42 plus miles per gallon?

Can I check the filter by blowing through it? I'm suppose to head back out tonight and would like to take the Honda.....

Thanks in advance

Rick

vitamin_c95

test your ignitor. I had that happen to me when the engine got hot, the ignitor would crap out. To check air filter, really just look at it. Typically if you can see light thru it when looking at the sun, its good

Rick1t

I believe it was the fuel filter.....blowing through the new vs old was a big difference......I will keep you updated after my trip tonight......

Rick1t

Ok.....made a trip......engine cut out again.....then restarted.....I do believe I am having fuel/filter issues......like I said the last time I checked I got plus 42 mpg.....after changing filter....it went back to 36/37...

I'm on my way back home just stalled again...it did restart after sitting a few minutes. What do you think? Do I need to flush my tank? Put another filter before factory unit? I wouldn't have a clue on trying to flush my tank.....is there rubber lines somewhere that could be decomposing?

Thanks.......hope I can make it home.....

Rick

Rick1t

Vitamin
Do you mean the control module?

B_Swapped93

i'd say coil or igniter test them both, find it hard to believe it's the filter

vitamin_c95

Im refering to the flat square looking thing inside the distributor cap. I've heard it called ignition control module or ignitor.

Coil is possiblity too. Try to check for spark/fuel soon as it stalls on you.

Rick1t

yes that was my next step....put the timing light in the back seat....as soon as it stalls try that......can a local shop check the coil or control module? one shop said they could not...I worked out of my home office all day today...I may pull the filter to see if it is restricted....I will keep you posted..

I really appreciate all of your help.......

Former User

You can Ohm/resistance test the coil - see FAQs sticky.

AutoZone will test the ICM free of charge. They don't generally test coils.

Rick1t

I've been told the coil ether works or doesn't........it cannot work and then not...then work again.....can anyone confirm....

B_Swapped93

well have you tested the coil yet ?

Former User

Wrong

Rick1t

ok thanks....I will check the filter again tomorrow......it seems like it may have been part of the problem....but who knows........I did have 42 plus MPG rates....

Maybe I will change the module as well....and go from there....after all its running now...its not like I can load test the module or coil.......it its a heat related problem ......correct???

I really do appreciate all of the input.

Former User

42 mpg for an EX suggests to me that the engine is running too lean. Have you inspected the spark plugs?

There's nothing illogical about or stopping you from testing the coil and ICM, unless you just like talking yourself out of doing the needed troubleshooting.

Unless you just want to replace parts randomly, then start doing some logical troubleshooting tests.

Rick1t

Ron
I normally get 37 or so MPG....so I was thinking the 42 was from the fuel filter being restrictive...? After changing the filter it dropped back to normal....then started to cut out again......not sure of the current MPG status.....you may have missed the fact I put some Seafoam in the tank...just prior to these troubles..........The plugs are newer.......

Is there a way to check the coil and ICM if the are working normally?

Thanks

Former User

What kind of driving? City, hwy, mix? How do you calculate your mileage?

Did you read post #9?

Rick1t

Yes I did read number 9 I will see if my local Auto Zone can run a check on the ICM today. My driving is a mix heavier on the highway or more rural roads 55 speed limit.

Thanks
Rick

Former User

...and auto or manual transmission?

Rick1t

Ron
It's a manual transmission....I calculate by filling my tank.....driving...then fill and do the math....

Pulled the ICM...it was a Hitachi brand....so it's been replaced at least once.....not in the last 150K miles....it tested bad at Auto Zone. So I have replaced it.....I will keep you posted.

Thanks and I appreciate your patience.

Rick

egdro

When was the last time you did a tune up to it?

Rick1t

Ok......Even though Auto Zone said the ICM was bad.......I had the same issues today.......at least 4 cut outs/stalls.....it restarted after few minutes of sitting each time.

One of the times it stalled near a service station....I got the local Mechanic to help check for spark...I had good spark with the engine not firing......so it is fuel.......I purchased a fuel pump tonight. Looking under the car.....determining how hard dropping the tank might be.....it looked as if one of the lines might be damp......I do not smell gas...could I be sucking air? enough to make it stall out? FYI I drove about 200 miles today.....stalling 4 times....

Thanks

Rick

Rick1t

so after sleeping on it.......and doing more reading...it sounds like I should check the solder joints on the main relay........first before changing out the fuel pump......

any thoughts do the fuel pumps fail often?

Rick1t

My last thread was getting pretty long.......anyway my Civic has been cutting out while driving......after 2 weeks of *** ache.....it must be the Main Relay or the fuel pump. (I am getting good spark when it dies and will not restart....for several minutes)

In your experiance do fuel pumps fail on a regular basis? Just intermitally? with a restart after a few minutes?

I will pull the main relay and check for dry joints this morning...

Thanks
Rick

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Doesn't matter i it was getting, what you call, long. Now people are going to come in here and tray troubleshooting from scratch and asking the same tired questions. That's why you are only allowed one thread per topic.

How about testing BOTH of them before starting this thread and just talking about it?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Like I said in your other spam thread, how about actually TESTING them instead of sitting there scratching your head wondering about it.

You've been given solid advice from the resident electrical guru and seem to want to ignore it and follow your failed hunches. It looks like you haven't done a damn thing anyone has suggested.