So I parked my 91 civic 4dr the other night and left the headlights on draining the battery. Up until this point the car has run like a top with great compression. After I jumped the battery and got it running the motor seems to drop and raise it's idle and when I put it under load it acclerates very erratically and won't hold a constant speed or rpm. Even when I just try to keep the RPM's constant while sitting still. At first it was throwing a code 1 and 7. But when I took out the battery for a day I only got a code 1. I've tested the TPS and it's getting 5v and creeps up slowly when tested at the middle wire from closed to WOT. I'm leaning toward the EACV or TPS. Any thoughts on this would help thanks.

 

Fully charge the battery. Low voltage can cause the car to act wierd

 

so battery is charged and it's still is bogging down and surging while under load. Still have a code 1. One thing I noticed while driving it was that if i pumped the gas pedal it seemed to drive at a more even speed and accelerate. Dunno if this helps narrow it down for anyone. Thanks again for all the help

 

Replaced the fuel filter today still no difference it seems to be getting worse. I also pulled all the plugs (looked good) and regaped em only 1 seemed to have excess oil around the boot and threads of plug. Another observation i made is the fuel pump sounds like it's not pumping evenly and has a low gutteral thrum to it. Not the nice humm it usually makes. I've checked the voltage to it underneath the backseat and it's getting almost 13v at cranking and ignition turned to on position. I'm gonna drop the gas tank and investigate this. Anyone with some sort of knowledge on this would be nice. As always appreciate any help.

 

oh and no more codes either so....

 

Sounds like distributor. Do your Cap & Rotor on the dizzy first. if that doesn't help or fix it completely come back. Doing the cap and rotor is part of life and should probably be done anyway, so consider it maintenance.

if that doesn't fix it, i'm going to say try a different dizzy...

then try a different TPS.

 

Found the rotor was loose and cracked a little. So....replaced the cap and rotor no change. But the fuel pump has been acting up not turning on when it has 12v all the way up to the plug and beyond underneath backseat. But occasionally doesn't turn on when key in on position. I must stress I checked and double checked the main relay even though it's less than six months old, bought brand new one when bought car. It wouldn't turn on today in the gas tank even when I hot wired it straight to a battery. But turned on out of the tank. Very frustrating cause this would be the second time I have dropped the tank and pulled it. I will be getting a new fuel pump frame, wiring, and fuel pump. If this doesn't do it i might have to pony up the bucks and take to the local mech. Running out of ideas and very stumped.

 

Turns out it was the fuel pump wire harness and bad pump. The car has 380,xxx+ but only 50k on the motor. Just old parts on worn out frame.