My 1998 Civic DX 5 Speed Manual is losing power. This is happening only occasionally and is inconsistent and unpredictable. All the gauges drop to zero and the accelerator does not respond. It does not appear to be related to load or temperature. The power comes back after a few seconds. The last time it happened it killed the engine but usually it does not.

Gas mileage has been slipping slightly lately.

This could be pretty dangerous if I was making a turn or something.

A google search shows a number of people having this problem, but nobody has posted a solution.

Thanks for any input.

 

Have your battery tested. If it's fine, pull out your alternator and have that tested, as well. Autozone/O'Reilly's will test both for free.

 

Thanks for you reply. The battery is about a year old, but I am going to have it tested anyway.

Wouldn't the alternator fail all at once? There are no issues with starting the car. This problem only happens when driving the car. I wonder if there is a way to test the alternator without pulling it out of the car.

Thanks again.

 

Could be ur ignition switch, but sounds really wierd, something a failing switch can do. My switch is starting to fail and sometimes when I hit a bump the radio and accessories die, but if I lightly tap my keys everything comes back on again

 

repair all electrical grounds.. if that doesn't solve it, then you've got some damaged wiring somewhere, maybe main relay needs to be replaced.

 

Try cleaning IACV.
Does this happen when driving or while stopping?

 

Only while driving.

 

I had a 99 Civic that did this. It would just randomly lose all power, but mine would quite when I took it out of gear. Then I would wait a few seconds, put it back in gear, and continue on my way. It got to where it would happen EVERY day and only in the mornings.

 

My bet is the ignition.


I had the same problem but mine was with the actual cylinder where you insert the key. That would "unclick" and the car would turn off. I would have to put the key back to original spot or hold it in.

 

Interesting but I never touch the key. I downshift because the car is in motion but the power just comes back by itself after a few seconds.

 

Its worth a shot to replace the switch its not too expensive and pretty simple to replace

 

A mechanic determined that the problem was the ground cable. I had them replaced, and so far the car has not had the symptoms again.

 

Well, the cable grounds helped, but later it turned out to be a faulty Ignition Control Switch.