Bonethrasher

Ok, so recently on my car (91' Honda Civic LX Sedan 1.5L MPFI 5 speed MT) I have noticed that every so often I'll be driving and the car loses all power as if i turned the key off in the ignition while driving. This usually happens in 4th or 5th gear. When I finally pull over and try to crank it, it will crank but not start. it is feeding fuel, the pump and cel come on and off after 2 seconds, does everything it usually would do prior to start besides actually start.

So what i have been having to do is unplug the clear harness plug on the ecu with the car turned off, wait couple min or so for ecu to reset and then plug back in and she turns over and drives fine! Has new fuel filter, starter, alternator. connection all clean and tight.

So basically my question is: Do i need new ecu? or what can it be? just want to narrow things down before i just go replacing parts, wasting money...

Thanks All!

0go-part

It can be your ignition switch, distributor or timing belt.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/2000-honda-civic-shuts-off-while-driving-2881851/
^A few things you can test

Former User

Any CEL codes?

When the engine stalls, do the cluster warning lights come on? If so, test the coil and igniter unit.

Ash J. Williams

check the grounds, especially the ground that connects to the thermostat housing (it is the main ground wire for the ECU)

Bonethrasher

So far I replaced the distributor cause of the error code 9, and replaced the timing belt getting it to spec, checked the grounds and all seems good. But car still shuts down. Going to try to get a new ignition switch. Cause the wires are soldered tight but seems like when it dies now i can press and hold up while turning the key over and it will start... so I dunno.. Also while reading codes i realized it is i believe a pm5 when its supposed to be a pm6.. becuase the 5 is for auto and 6 is for manual right? right now it shows code 19. Thats auto tranny lock correct?

Also i was just out sitting on my break and it was cold so i had the car running and while sitting there smoking a cig on my break and it just shut down. the 2 cel lights come on that come on when you turn the key on and not start the car. so i pressed up and turn the key, 2nd time it turned over...

It just gets annoying that it keeps doing it, and one time ill be on freeway and be fubar. Also, dont know if this helps but when it shuts down its like i turn the key off, even if i was to act as if i was pop starting it, it will not start. like the fuel cut off.. .i dunno!

Thanks for the help guys!

((go-part)) read your post and link to look at .... read his issues... he had a hard time... think ill pull the distrib and icm and test the results from the distrib and take icm in to have tested and see what happens.. ill let ya guys know the readings and see what you think..

I just need to keep this car running decent till next year and going to overhall it with a JDM Honda F20B SiR Motor and Tranny... This car has around 165k sooo.. and been feeling love with good ole Royal Purple ...

sde780

Main relays tend to crack at the solder joints in these older cars, you can resolder it yourself for cheap