While I was on my way to work, I stopped getting any response from the gas pedal, I pulled over and now it won't start, it cranks but won't catch. Any ideas?


1990 honda Civic wagon

 

need more details, from what youve described sounds like you ran out of gas.

abruptly stopped? slow sputter to stop? lights still work? fuel pump priming? check timing belt?

 

Fair enough. Driving on the freeway, suddenly got no power from gas pedal, power came back for a minute then gave out again and didn't come back. Pulled over and when I tried to start it, it cranks like normal but won't catch. I'll feel like an idiot if I just ran out of gas but I hope that is the case as it would be cheaper. Lights still work, I would say it was pretty abrupt, how do I check if fuel pump is priming? how do I check timing belt?

 

Pull the distributor cap and confirm that the rotor is still secured. Their set screw can come loose. This is a *somewhat* common problem and has stranded me before.

 

How to check fuel pump prime: In quiet environment, turn key to 2nd click (right before cranking position) listen for a dull hum in the rear of the car. It will hum for 2 seconds then stop.

Next check for spark: Pull a spark plug boot out from the cylinder and hold it over a grounded bolt on the motor/chasis. Hold it ~.5 inches from the bolt. Turn the motor over with the key and watch the distance in between the bolt and the spark plug boot/tube. You should see a vibrant white spark.

Check timing belt of course before all of this, but this is doubtful, you would have heard clanking in the motor due to interference.

If you have no spark but the car is priming, you have a distributor issue. Make sure there are no white marks on the inside of the distributor cap, make sure the rotor button is secured properly by the set screw, and make sure the wires are connected snugly on the ignition control module and the coil. If all checks out, go to autozone and get a new ignition control module and replace it.

If your fuel pump is not priming, test the fuel pump relay and make sure it clicks, if it checks out, replace fuel pump.

Very simple issue here, dont get bummed out.

 

Could also be the ignitor and remote possibility of a main relay.

 

Ignition control module = igniter

Wouldn't be the main relay, according to OP, his problem happened then then he got some response from the pedal, THEN it completely died. A relay wont die, come back to life, then die again.

 

Cold solder joints (the problem with the common main relay failures) can make intermittent contact in vibration. It's a remote possibility.

 

You need a distributor, from what you're describing it sounds like a distributor problem.

 

Never heard of that! My apologies!

 

That old main relay is a tricky SOB. Just swap yours out for a known good one.
Borrow one and make sure. Or crank the engine and smack it with something.
It will probably start right up.