since last month ive been having this problem with the 01 lx sedan...
when driving out of nowhere the car shutters, a CEL comes on and you see the rpm go all the way down to the bottom line, and if you accelerate the car only goes 10-15mph tops and that takes over a block or two to reach that speed...

i went to autozone and the scanner said it had something to do with the ignition/spark plugs. then i replaced the spark plugs,coils,oil (oem parts)... the problem was gone for about a week then i started to hear a whinning noise which happened to be my catalytic converter was shot... i replaced that with a used one and no problems whatso ever until tonight!!! problem happened again! got stranded going 15mph and took 2 hrs to get home... only things i think i did not replace that could be related is the timing belt & the o2 sensors...

it seems it only happens when the car is hot, i check under the hood and it feels way to overheated but my temp gauge stays at the middles or below never went above normal...

anyone have any ideas??

 

Sounds like your thermostat isn't working properly. That's a really quick fix, for some cheap dollars. I'd recommend starting there.

 

how does that sound like a thermostat problem? is the car overheating? my guess is that the car is misfiring and going into limp mode, has the car thrown any other codes? last time i saw this happen in an 01 it was a bad crank position sensor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by skipbarber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how does that sound like a thermostat problem? is the car overheating? my guess is that the car is misfiring and going into limp mode, has the car thrown any other codes? last time i saw this happen in an 01 it was a bad crank position sensor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike813 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...it seems it only happens when the car is hot, i check under the hood and it feels way to overheated but my temp gauge stays at the middles or below never went above normal...</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's how. My 1996 Tahoe did this, and a simple replacement of the thermostat fixed the issue.

 

its true a thermostat changes everything..

 

thanks for all the quick replies...

it turns out its a very known problem for the 01 & 02 civics, it wasnt a thermostat prob, it was a TDC sensor (top dead center) located right behind the timing belt shield. but i did check on the thermostat by doing the upper hose diagnostic.

so in the end if this does happen to your car change it a.s.a.p cause i delayed it and it couldve been fixed with a 70-90$ part... that sensor failure damaged my catalytic converter (used 200$)(new 750$), needed a valve adjustment (90$), 4x coils & 4x plugs (190$),

incase anyone has the same prob as me, ill post a small write up cause it seems like theres not much write-ups & diy's for this generation civic.

difficulty: 2 of 5
parts: TDC Sensor 70-90$ depending on which dealer, ive called 3 with all different prices. (its made by mitsubishi?)
tools: ratchet with 10mm & a 1in or smaller extension, & a screwdriver

1. remove valve cover 5 10mm bolts, (doesnt have to be fully off just enough for the groove of the shield to be removed.)

2. there is a grommet and a plug to the right side if youre standing in front looking down at the vehicle unplug those.

3. remove 3 10mm screws holding the shield.

4.move power steering reservoir over to the side for easy access.

5. if you fully taken off the valve cover then it shouldnt be difficult to remove the shield. but if you just slightly lifted the right edge like i did, pull shield off while lifting the valve cover & shimmy it around the a/c hoses.

6. once the shields off its 1 more 10mm bolt holding down the tdc sensor, reverse for install and start the car to check for cel's and inspect for leaks if youve damaged/changed the valve cover gasket while removing. voila! cars back to normal

 

TDC, crank angle, whatever, i was close. lol

 

lol yea its the same sensor, theres only 1 sensor there for the 01 civics.

 

Good to Know.. Some one put this in the FAQ


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike813 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for all the quick replies...

it turns out its a very known problem for the 01 & 02 civics, it wasnt a thermostat prob, it was a TDC sensor (top dead center) located right behind the timing belt shield. but i did check on the thermostat by doing the upper hose diagnostic.

so in the end if this does happen to your car change it a.s.a.p cause i delayed it and it couldve been fixed with a 70-90$ part... that sensor failure damaged my catalytic converter (used 200$)(new 750$), needed a valve adjustment (90$), 4x coils & 4x plugs (190$),

incase anyone has the same prob as me, ill post a small write up cause it seems like theres not much write-ups & diy's for this generation civic.

difficulty: 2 of 5
parts: TDC Sensor 70-90$ depending on which dealer, ive called 3 with all different prices. (its made by mitsubishi?)
tools: ratchet with 10mm & a 1in or smaller extension, & a screwdriver

1. remove valve cover 5 10mm bolts, (doesnt have to be fully off just enough for the groove of the shield to be removed.)

2. there is a grommet and a plug to the right side if youre standing in front looking down at the vehicle unplug those.

3. remove 3 10mm screws holding the shield.

4.move power steering reservoir over to the side for easy access.

5. if you fully taken off the valve cover then it shouldnt be difficult to remove the shield. but if you just slightly lifted the right edge like i did, pull shield off while lifting the valve cover & shimmy it around the a/c hoses.

6. once the shields off its 1 more 10mm bolt holding down the tdc sensor, reverse for install and start the car to check for cel's and inspect for leaks if youve damaged/changed the valve cover gasket while removing. voila! cars back to normal </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Nice one.