Some background:

I have a '98 civic with a jdm b18c GSR motor. Haven't driven her most of the summer, and I just got her inspected and going again.

I was cruising on the highway and all of a sudden the CEL comes on and the power cuts, (rpm's also drop about 500-1000) then it went right back. I just kept cycling through this. I had no other option but to keep driving so I did. After about 5 minutes of that, the CEL turned off and it drove like normal the rest of the night.

A week later I started it in a the drive way, she ran for 5 minutes and then started dropping again, almost to the point of stalling then it would pick up again, eventually it just stalled.

Did an oil and spark plug change, everything looked normal.

I drove it for two days no problem, then one morning the same thing.

* I don't think its a vacuum leak because after a few minutes it stops.
* The CEL doesn't stay on, so I can't pull a code. (I think thats weird, I thought it was suppose to stay on until you clear it)

I searched under rpms dropping and distributor problems but couldn't find any specific info related to my problem.

Has anyone else experienced this? I would just like some feedback before I spend $300+ on a new Dizzy.

Thanks for your help!

 

I've heard a bad vehicle speed sensor can cause this. Or something similar to what you're experiencing.

Does the car shut off? If so, it can be your ignition switch.

 

some times when its idleing and bogs too low. the speed sensor????

 

Next time the CEL turns on, don't turn the key off and pull the codes immediately. My guess would be that you'll pull code 15, suggesting a bad igniter unit.

 

Have tried to pull the code. Its at p28 obdi ecu. I have tried to jump the jumper without turning the key off and it doesn't work. I am running NepTune and Jeff Evens told me to turn the key to the second position then go WOT and the code should light up, or if no code is present the light should come on solid. The light doesn't come on at all...

 

I have had 2 replace 2 ignition switches in 2 different cars because they just wore out and was causing the same problems.

 

The car doesn't always shut off... rarely when this rare occurrence is taking place a lower than normal cut out will make it stall. It will just sit there for ten minutes or so cutting out and coming back and randomly stopping and running perfect.

Then sometimes when I try to start it right after this happens the main relay clicks on and off like crazy.... didn't drive the car for about a year because of this but now I really want to start driving her again.

 

Ok, knowing that it sounds like it very well could b a grounding problem some where. Sometimes it makes good connection and sometimes it doesn't.

 

I only have one engine ground. The one from the rad support to the valve cover. Is there suppose to be another one? I have had it set up like this since I did the motor swap about 6 years ago.

 

Yeah, there is one on the thermostat housing too, RonJ@HT can hook up up with the illistration showing where it's at too. Also 1 on the tranny and 1 on each inner fender well.

 

sounds like it could possibly be fuel cut. what fuel pump are you running?

 

Engine grounds:

G101 on the thermostat housing (spark and fuel) and these:

 

U the man RonJ..!

 

walbro 255hp

 

hmmm nevermind then.

 

ok ill add some grounds tomorrow, weird though its been like this for 6 years and never an issue...