So I'm driving to work this morning, and it's especially foggy and there's LOT's of dew/condensation everywhere. Almost looked like it rained...and of course, I just washed the car yesterday! I start the car around 6:20am and it starts up great. Drove about 7.5mi and as I was coming up to a stop light, the CEL came on and the engine idle got really rough. Freaked the F out of me. It felt like the idle was going to drop so low the engine would stall, but it didn't. First thing I thought was, "Shitake. Fuel pump is dead. Wait...no, that wouldn't make sense." Then my biggest fear - "Oh no...this feels a lot like when my 94 LX sedan lost compression on the #2 cyllinder. But there was no CEL for that..." Lots of possibilities started racing through my head, followed by a frustrated "WTF." It felt like the longest red light ever! Finally get the green and as I started to pull away, there was absolutely NO power and the car was shaking from the bad idle. It wasn't a really severe shaking but it certainly wasn't subtle either! I was able to pull into a gas station near where I get on the highway, and as soon as I did, the problem went away. Engine idle smoothed out, rev'ing sounded good and clean, but CEL stayed on. So I back up, pull out of the gas station - rough idle and no power again! I thought, "F it. I need to get to work." I was able to make it here just fine but the lack of power really concerned me, especially since it's turbo'd!

One thing I noticed is that my Tenzo-R air/fuel gauge wasn't working. Once I got off the highway and was driving past the high school down the street, the idle returned to normal, power came back, and the Tenzo air/fuel gauge worked fine. CEL was still on, and that's where I'm at right now. I won't be able to get the CEL checked until I get out of work or if I get a few free minutes to sneak out of the office once my tech gets here. I've got a suspect already picked out but I'd like to hear what conclusions you folks come to.

One other thing I should note - yesterday on my way home from work I took a different route using a road that had been closed for construction for several months. They should have kept it closed! It was like driving through a gravel pit made of speed bumps - shook the **** out of my car. It was really unnerving for me. I'm wondering if maybe something got knocked loose? I guess it's possible but the car ran fine all yesterday, even after that thrashing, and it worked fine this morning until I came to the stop and shortly I got off the highway.

Car is a 95 Civic EX coupe, turbo-charged. Engine only has ~14,000mi on it. Turbo ~5,000mi.

THANKS!!!

 

I had a couple minutes to run out and check the CEL codes. Car started up fine and idled fine, no CEL showing. Took a spirited drive around the parking lot, no problems. What gives?!

 

Left work early. Car started up fine but as soon as I got out onto the street, the CEL turned on and the rough idle/lack of power came back. Bravely (or stupidly) got it onto the highway and limped it a few miles, then suddenly it started working fine. Lots of power, smooth engine, no shaking. Then it gradually when back to no power/rough idle. When I got onto the surface streets, the car performed normally once more, then quickly went back to ****. It seriously feels like I'm driving a Geo Metro of Toyota Tercel. I was shocked and deeply, deeply saddened when it stuggled going up the hill.

A couple other things I noticed. When I would let off the throttle and coast a bit on the highway, everything seemed to smooth. Rough idle at stop lights though. I also noted that the Tenzo R air/fuel gauge does appear to be working the whole time, the engine must be running really, really lean when it's acting up. If I kind of gun the engine, the gauge lights up. TTFWIW.

All fuel injectors appear to be operating, which was something that really worried me (though one could be clogged...not sure if that triggers a CEL.) I didn't notice any of them not clicking. Now that I'm home I can check the error codes and will report back. Lunch is top priority right now though..can't work on an empty stomach!


Modified by ErikFlipside at 10:07 AM 9/30/2008

 

Finally got the code information. Code 16 - fuel injectors. At least now I have the problem narrowed down but I'm not liking the thought of spending $400 on new 440cc fuel injectors!