KL14

After searching the forum for a while, I have not been able to find many posts that match the problem that I'm having. Just as a prelude, this problem started a week after I put a new timing belt, water pump and spark plugs in my car. The car still has the stock HX motor with 230,000 miles.

This problem is very tough to describe, so if something is too vague I will gladly try to clarify it. If I drive my car before it has warmed up, it will randomly lose power completely, regardless of what gear or RPM I am at. I can hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and the car will not accelerate, however it does not die. This happens off and on until it warms up. After the car warms up, it runs perfect. I have had a few suggestions from friends as to what the problem could be, but almost none of them explain why it ONLY happens when the motor is cold.

If anyone has any ideas of what to test first so I don't spend a lot of money on parts that I don't need, I would greatly appreciate it!

KL14

No ideas? Could it possibly be the IACV? An ignition issue?

Former User

Any CEL codes?

Have you inspected the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor? Is the ignition timing set to spec?

KL14

Well the plugs and wires are brand new, I can check the cap and rotor. I figured if it were a problem with cap/rotor, then the car would run bad all the time, not just when it's cold. I could very easily be wrong however, hence my asking. I will check them out and let you know.

Also, I do have a CEL code, but it's for the Primary O2 sensor and I've had the CEL since I bought the car. Strangely enough, the primary O2 sensor was replaced when I bought the car but the CEL still wouldn't go away. Do you think this could be related and it just took a while to materialize?

And thanks for the reply!

Former User

Definitely check the cap and rotor. Those are as important as the plugs and wires.

Have you recently jumped the service connector to check for new codes? That's the problem with a chronic CEL. You don't know when a new code pops up.

The O2 sensor may not be causing the problem, but you want to get it fixed to take advantage of the famous HX gas mileage.

KL14

Alright, I'll try that first chance I get tomorrow and then update this post with the result, thanks again!

Kista20

sounds like it could be running in limp mode although mine didn't run like that when that sensor went bad on my 97 hx. You do know that there are two o2 sensors, the 5 wire primary one and then a 4 wire that is underneath the car.

The problems I've had with mine which the dealer fixed everything for me under the 10 year 150k emissions warranty are...

full tune up & oil change - 115k
primary o2 sensor - 115k
egr ports needed cleaning - 125k
new p2n ecu - 138k

KL14

I would agree with you, however if it were in limp mode, wouldn't it run poorly all the time?

Townson

im thinking iacv. something similar happened to a friend of mine.