Hi Everybody

I've been having some trouble with my 98 accord stalling for a few months.
It's a 4 cylinder 2.3L with 195 kM on it.

The issue is that it will start up but then it will sputter a few times and die, it usually takes me starting it a few of times before it will finally stay running, but even when it does so the idle will continue to fluctuate and the exhaust has a periodic cough. I think I would refer to this cough as an idle miss. The cough and engine imbalance seems to get better as the car warms up. Even once I get going if I stop at a sign or something the car will stall again once I start driving. It seems to be worse with the A/C on. If I baby the gas pedal I can sometimes prevent this stalling but it's unpredictable and getting worse.

Once the car warms up to it's standard operating temperature the stalling issue will subside, however it continues to be very sluggish as I start from a stop, it almost feels as if there is a delay between me pressing the gas pedal and the car getting gas.

Once I gain speed the car will accelerate and change gears smoothly, until I give it too pressure on the accelerator, at which point the cars power flatlines, and even sometimes starts to lose speed. It seems to be downshifting but there is no extra power to be had from doing so. The only way I can drive it properly is to baby the gas pedal to prevent this flatline from occuring.

Apparently the code it's kicking out now (after working out all the other codes) is a lean fuel mixture problem.

Anyway those are the symptoms and here are what I've had done to fix them to no avail.

I've had the Oxygen sensor replaced (the one near the engine I believe). Then most of the wiring under the hood replaced. The throttle body has been removed and cleaned thoroughly twice. The distributer has been replaced and the coil. Also the Evap purge valve has been replaced. I replaced the Timing belt last summer, and the guys double checked it to make sure it was installed properly.

All told I'm out 1300$ and I've spent my whole tax return and don't know what to do. The guys at the shop are out of ideas and I've tried everything I could figure out from reading about other peoples similar issues on the forum.


Please Help me
It would be greatly appreciated if I could take it to the shop with a clear Idea what to fix instead of just trial and error eating away my income.

Thanks a lot
Sam

 

Hi there. I have the same problem like you. My car (01 Accord) actually stalled when coming to a stop, but at normal operating temp.

I actually took out the IACV unit and cleaned it. It sort of full of gunk. It has stopped now. You might want to look into that. Lil carb cleaner. Let it dry. Back to new. It has never done that since.

As for the other problem, I just don't know. Someone here should help you out.

 

you're getting a P0171 code Fuel System Too Lean?

the book says if you have any other codes at the same time then to troubleshoot those first.

1- check fuel pressure. should be around 40-45psi. if it's too high check the regulator and the return line, if it's too low check the pump, feed line and filter.
2- if pressure is ok run the engine until the radiator fan comes on (until it's normal op. temp.) then check Air Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor output with a scan tool. should be between .3V and .6V. if it's not replace it.
3- if voltage is OK pull vacuum with a pump on the EVAP canister purge valve from the manifold side. if it holds vacuum replace the injectors. if not, replace the purge valve.

if you're unsure how to do anything in the three steps above, have a trained professional do it.

..then buy yourself a factory service manual so you won't loose your whole tax return again.