99' civic lx 110,000miles
Hi, as the title states I was driving home from work when the car shut off. Got it towed home, tried starting it in the morning after it cooled down and it still wouldnt start. Engine cranks but wont start. tested the fuses, all light up, tested the spark plug wires, got spark, sprayed engine starter in the throttle, wouldnt start. car still has power( radio/windows work after a week of sitting) so pretty sure that wouldnt be the altinator. Which I guess leaves distribitor or crank angle sensor?
If anyone can add some insight before I have to take it to the shop. thanks

 

check for any wires that maybe unpluged...

 

check fuel pump or distributor

 

If it was the fule pump, would I be able to smell gas coming from the exhaust when ts cranked, as Im able to. as for the distributor, i removed th cap, there was no red substance in there (as i was tild to look for that)

 

if its the fuel pump u wudnt smell gas since its ntt gttn pumped to injectors, if its something wit spark u would smell gas ive done many swaps/ fixin ppls cars best way to check if ur gettin fuel is loosen fuel line to the rail from filter if it sparays its ntt the pump

 

Bang ur starter a couple of times to c if it starts....

 

check filters for anything clogged??? fuel filter, air filter. is everything ON the motor was checked and is working, i would assume its the fuel system

 

Have not banged the starter yet( but that wouldnt cause the car to die while driving would it?), but checked the fuel line under the hood and thats fine, nothing clogged in the air filter. Maybe its the crank angle sensor? I wish I had a engine code scanner.

 

your alternator wire may have come off.this has happened to me.check all your wires again

 

just did, it was on there. i just read there was a way to pull the engine codes using some paperclips on a plug on the passanger side of the car and counting the flashes on the check engine light, anyone done this?

 

Did the check engine light come on when this happened or does it come on when you try to start it these past attempts?
Have you reset the ECM? (Pulled the 7.5A Back Up fuse under the hood for 10 seconds)

 

Click here.

Can you hear the fuel pump prime for 2 seconds when the key is turned to ON(II)? Was spark bright white/bluish or weak orange? Otherwise, check the mechanical timing because the timing belt may have skipped a few teeth.

 

this is my gfs car so the engine light has been on for as long as Ive known her (2yrs! women!!) I just found out how to check the diagnostic connector with by using a paperclip to loop the circuit, counted the check engine light flashes, it pulled up two codes. #14 which is Idle air control valve or bad ECM, and code 41, Primary oxygen sensor heater. not sure if this would be the reason for the car dieing?
I have not reset the ecm yet

 

The code 14 would definitely have something to do with the car dieing. If it is a bad ECM then your car woudln't be running anything because the ECM is what alows power or ground to different circuits in the vehicle. If that doesn't work, nothing works. If the IACV is clogged then it would have a hard time idling. Ive had it with cars before with a clogged IACV would surge and not idle properly which required either cleaning them or replacing it. Unless one of the vacuum lines to it is broken or has fallen off.

 

the O2 sensor is most likely what she has been driving around with all this time (mine has been on for about 3years for the 2nd O2)

Edit: Try the ecm reset and see what happens should be quick if you have the car with you now.

 

I can here the fule pump for the 2 sec. when we checked the spark the tool we had lights up, doesnt produce spark.

 

Are you saying that there is no spark at the plugs?

Those two CEL codes should eventually be addressed but would not cause the engine to suddenly die while driving and prevent starting. If you have bright spark, check the mechanical timing of the cam and crank.

 

ok thanks, is this a part that can be fixed or is it better to replace?

 

The tool my friend used doesnt probuce a spark, it lights up instead?

 

not really too sure how to do that, im suprised I was even able to check the engine codes lol

 

Has the timing belt ever been replaced?

To check the mechanical timing, remove the valve cover and upper timing belt cover, put the front end on stands, and then turn the crankshaft pulley bolt counterclockwise until the camshaft pulley is perfectly positioned at TDC1 (see diagram). At this instance, the crankshaft pulley should also be perfectly situated at TDC1 (see diagram).

 

no it hasnt. ok thank you, i will

 

I haven't used a spark tester, but it sounds like you do have spark. Note, however, that if spark is weak orange rather than bright white-bluish, then the engine won't fire.

 

I think maybe perhaps your timing belt jumped some teeth or it snapped since it's never been changed.

 

I know that it hasnt snapped as we took off the valve cover and timing belt cover to take a look. Didnt look if it had jumped teeth though