1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4.
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: austin, TX, USA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4.
Hello, All.
I have a 1988 Honda Civic, 2DHB that runs great, except...
It stalls. After warm up. Get a nice Yellow "Check Engine" light as well.
I can reproduce the issue.
IT's only when it is moving; it can idle all day long.
Get it up to about 60-70 MPH for a few seconds to a few minutes, the "Check Engine" light comes on.
Then, it starts to run rough.
Then, it dies.
Wait 5 seconds - it restarts fine.
Get it above 55 MPH - it repeats the same behavior.
So...
Pulled the HAZARD fuse to reset the ECU.
Start it up - no error codes - clean. So far, so good.
Run it down the highway - BINGO - "Check Engine" light, and it dies.
Coast int a parking lot, and there's an error code - 4: TDC Crank sensor.
So...
Measured continuity on the terminal sets D and E, then B and C. 550 Ohms
Checked for continuity to body ground on D and E terminal individually - infinity. Continuity does not exist.
So...next step would be to use the PGM-FI Wiring harness to check the main wire harness, but I don't *have* a PGM-FI test harness.
That said...
I decided to check continuity on the body - just my two test leads connected, touch to the body on points very near each other - infinity. Continuity does not exist.
I *should* read 0, and do when I connect the leads together.
So, do I have a crappy tester, and do I throw a new distributor into this car? Or am I looking into wiring issues?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Austin Civic
I have a 1988 Honda Civic, 2DHB that runs great, except...
It stalls. After warm up. Get a nice Yellow "Check Engine" light as well.
I can reproduce the issue.
IT's only when it is moving; it can idle all day long.
Get it up to about 60-70 MPH for a few seconds to a few minutes, the "Check Engine" light comes on.
Then, it starts to run rough.
Then, it dies.
Wait 5 seconds - it restarts fine.
Get it above 55 MPH - it repeats the same behavior.
So...
Pulled the HAZARD fuse to reset the ECU.
Start it up - no error codes - clean. So far, so good.
Run it down the highway - BINGO - "Check Engine" light, and it dies.
Coast int a parking lot, and there's an error code - 4: TDC Crank sensor.
So...
Measured continuity on the terminal sets D and E, then B and C. 550 Ohms
Checked for continuity to body ground on D and E terminal individually - infinity. Continuity does not exist.
So...next step would be to use the PGM-FI Wiring harness to check the main wire harness, but I don't *have* a PGM-FI test harness.
That said...
I decided to check continuity on the body - just my two test leads connected, touch to the body on points very near each other - infinity. Continuity does not exist.
I *should* read 0, and do when I connect the leads together.
So, do I have a crappy tester, and do I throw a new distributor into this car? Or am I looking into wiring issues?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Austin Civic
#2
$cat /dev/urandom
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Thornton, colorado, usa
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Re: 1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4. (austincivic)
i would say if any of the tests fail according to the manual you are using, then you should replace the distributor. i had a code 9 forever, and tried everything. the only thing that fixed it was a new distributor. they are notorious on these cars for failing.
you can find them on ebay for $150 shipped. ive had one for 2 years now and it has worked fine..
you can find them on ebay for $150 shipped. ive had one for 2 years now and it has worked fine..
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: everyone has their price, NJ, USA
Posts: 8,508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: 1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4. (sanimalp)
Try something simple first like cleaning off your rotor.
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: austin, TX, USA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: 1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4. (thenick)
"Try something simple first like cleaning off your rotor."
Heh - did that. FWIW - it's got a brand new cap, rotor, and wires on it.
Heh - did that. FWIW - it's got a brand new cap, rotor, and wires on it.
#5
$cat /dev/urandom
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Thornton, colorado, usa
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Re: 1988 Civic, 1.5l - Check Engine Light @ 60-70 MPH - error code 4. (austincivic)
yeah thats where i started. did the wires, plugs, cap and rotor. nothing. it was a waste of money. put a new distributor on it and it worked just fine.
it says right in the manual i have, that if continuity does not exist with a body ground on d or e individually, as you tested it, to replace the distributor assembly. if you want i can post a pic of it.
youve done all the simple stuff it seems. the only thing left is to bite the bullet and pay $150 for a new distributor. dont bother with a junkyard one because its probably either just as bad or going to go bad. i made that mistake also, and it left me stranded 20 miles from my house when the bearing in the junkyard distributor seized. luckly my timing belt didnt break.
it says right in the manual i have, that if continuity does not exist with a body ground on d or e individually, as you tested it, to replace the distributor assembly. if you want i can post a pic of it.
youve done all the simple stuff it seems. the only thing left is to bite the bullet and pay $150 for a new distributor. dont bother with a junkyard one because its probably either just as bad or going to go bad. i made that mistake also, and it left me stranded 20 miles from my house when the bearing in the junkyard distributor seized. luckly my timing belt didnt break.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post