Hey guys,

Hope this is the right part to post this in. Please move if it is not.

I have a 1998 Honda Civic SI (EX in US model). While driving, car looses all power at once. CD player, lights, even my gauges die out. Motor will still run though. (Although I find somewhere to park ASAP).

If I try and start the car immediately after this, nothing will happen, except I will get accessory power. If I wait a few minutes (5-10) when I try and start it, it will "click" (starter) but wont turn over. I've left it overnight 3 times when this has happened, once while charging the battery and other 2 I did not - and it will start and go no problem for a few days.

Notes:

- No lights (battery, engine) flash or go on solid when any of this happens
- Alternator was replaced last year
- Had battery tested, tested just fine
- Thought it may be a bad battery connection as my positive cable was frayed, replaced it.


I have a sneaky feeling I may be overheating and having a cooling issue - Dumb moment but I never checked my temp gauge. If I can start my car (going back to it in a few hours) i'll check it out - otherwise i'm not sure what it may be.

Any thoughts guy? I'm just about at the point to get it to my mechanic, but figured i'd try and fix it myself first.

Thanks,

Shay

 

Bump

Went back to my car, was able to start it no problem. Drove it home (5mins) and temps seemed fine, although its night now and cooled off abit and I didn't drive far. Might go for a longer drive later and see if the temps go high.

any ideas guys?

 

Maybe ELD?

 

Won't lie, I had to google what that part was.

Seems though if I had an issue with that my battery would be shot by an ongoing issue with that, yet the battery remains just fine.

Just seems weird I can just let it sit, and it will start up and drive just fine for a few days. I took it for a 10 minute "spirited" drive to see if I could get the temps up (also left it ideling first for 10 minutes) and my temp gauge never moved above just under half (where it usually sits).

Such a strange problem. I wish cars could talk

 

Go get your alternator tested. A heating problem has nothing to do with a voltage charging problem.

 

Will do, sucks I have to wait til monday though.

When my alternator was dying last year I remember my battery light flickering - This hasn't happened this time around. Would that have anything to do with it?

 

Any other suggestions until I can get it fixed monday?

 

The engine harness on '96 - '99 Civics were notorious for rubbing on the intake manifold bracket under the intake manifold and causing all kinds of funky issues.

 

While you are having the alternator checked, have them check the battery, I'm sure that they will test is just after your drove it, and it will pass with flying colors, because it has a surface charge on it. Have them retest it after cranking the car for about 10 seconds, that will get rid of that surface charge, and will tell you the true state of your battery.

 

Check your battery. It could be a bad ground. I straight up grounded the starter to the battery and it runs perfect. Before, my car wouldn't crank but everything else works. Eventually, I took the starter out and hooked it straight up to the battery. I noticed that the starter will extend out making the loud "click" noise and another wire from the harness which sends a signal for it to spin.

 

intermitant problems are the worst, because everthing checks good but the problem will still exist. try getting the battery and alternator checked when the problem arises, if possible.

 

Test the ignition switch: