87 CRX HF engine just quits when driving
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
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From: Ohio
87 CRX HF engine just quits when driving
My 87 which has been so dependable learned a new trick. When driving down the road at normal high way speeds the engine just quits. Just out of the blue.
First time kinda freaked me out and I pulled off the road and figured I'd see if it would restart with any luck. Fired right up so I went on another seven or eight miles before it did it again. I was by myself on this leg of the highway so I slipped it in neutral and turned the key off and attempted to restart the engine.
Fired right up again. This CRX starts easily anyways.
In the past I knew a person who had a Dodge Lancer that did this and it turned out to be a "pickup" that was fitted into the distributor that had to do with firing of the ignition. Called a "hall effect switch" if I recall correctly. Once a new one was installed there was never a problem with it again.
So...anyone else ever have this problem ? What was it ? I've heard of something called an "igniter" and I know on some of the later CRX's there was a recall where these were replaced.
Is the part commonly available yet ? The car is in good mechanical condition
and I've been the only operator. It was purchased new and has been driven easily. It is a carbed 1.5 5 spd. Runs like a top, always gets regular oil changes and maintenance.
When the engine died there were no sounds at all what so ever. No back fire etc. Just like the coil wire was pulled out of the coil and the engine just died.
And when I hit the key....it fires right back up.
Thoughts ?
First time kinda freaked me out and I pulled off the road and figured I'd see if it would restart with any luck. Fired right up so I went on another seven or eight miles before it did it again. I was by myself on this leg of the highway so I slipped it in neutral and turned the key off and attempted to restart the engine.
Fired right up again. This CRX starts easily anyways.
In the past I knew a person who had a Dodge Lancer that did this and it turned out to be a "pickup" that was fitted into the distributor that had to do with firing of the ignition. Called a "hall effect switch" if I recall correctly. Once a new one was installed there was never a problem with it again.
So...anyone else ever have this problem ? What was it ? I've heard of something called an "igniter" and I know on some of the later CRX's there was a recall where these were replaced.
Is the part commonly available yet ? The car is in good mechanical condition
and I've been the only operator. It was purchased new and has been driven easily. It is a carbed 1.5 5 spd. Runs like a top, always gets regular oil changes and maintenance.
When the engine died there were no sounds at all what so ever. No back fire etc. Just like the coil wire was pulled out of the coil and the engine just died.
And when I hit the key....it fires right back up.
Thoughts ?
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
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From: Perth, Western Australia
Re: 87 CRX HF engine just quits when driving
Been there done that. Most likely the ignition switch. Over time the contacts get eroded, and start to lose contact. Had a prelude where the starter and ignition 2 both did this - I had used dash switches instead of replacing the wiring as the lude was at 400,000 km. You can buy replacement 'pigtails', but make sure the connector ends match.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Re: 87 CRX HF engine just quits when driving
I wonder how available a new ignition switch would be for an 87 CRX HF ?
And what other Honda's use the same switch ? And up to what years do they interchange ?
Where would you try online to get a replacement switch ?
And what other Honda's use the same switch ? And up to what years do they interchange ?
Where would you try online to get a replacement switch ?
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