Hi, novice here with an automatic Civic 04 that just started acting up. It starts fine, and idles great, first 10-15 mins are usually fine then the problem starts.

At any rpm, but especially when given a bit of throttle, the car jerks, feels like it misses fuel. Without pressing on the gas much, or on idle, it might just happen once a while but if I give it more gas it becomes more pronounced, misses/jerks often. It came close to stalling before but happened for the first time today, no problem starting again. Once it starts doing this, it progressively gets worse.

Same behavior happens whether in Drive or Neutral, I'm definitely a novice when it comes to cars but I assume this rules out the transmission? I can post a video if it helps. (Edit: here are 2)

On Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDBY...ature=youtu.be
On Neutral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skNx...ature=youtu.be

Any help or pointers would be appreciated!

 

CEL codes?

How old are the spark plugs?

 

Hi Ron, is there a way to self check the cel codes on an 04?

EDIT: Went out and figured out how to short the ODB2(learning! and thank you Ron for providing the tutorial a long time ago!)

Codes are 23,9 and 8, here's a video of the loop..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOy8...ature=youtu.be

Distributor codes? Or am I reading it wrong?

Not sure how old the plugs are, bought the car 2 months ago and haven't changed them, I'll look them over as soon as the weather allows, snow -20 doesn't make for a fun time right now.

 

Looks like codes 8 (TDC sensor), 23 (knock sensor), and 90 (EVAP system vacuum leak).

What car, engine, and ECU do you have? My understanding is that you can't pull codes by jumping the service connector of stock 01-05 Civics.

 

90, my mistake, I'm glad I posted the video.

It's a Civic 4 Door Sedan 2004, 1.7L SOHC MPFI 16-valve I4 engine, I'm looking over how to find the ECU # and will be back with it. It's a shame the VIN decoder doesn't list it.

 

You should get the trouble codes read with an OBD-II reader/scanner. OBD-II has more comprehensive codes and may help further narrow down the problem areas. Places like Autozone, etc. (except in California) will read the codes for free.

In addition, with the OBD-II codes (since it is an OBD-II vehicle), it makes it easier to find if there is a Honda service bulletin or not for a known issue.

 

Glad you posted here. I didn't think that you could pull OBD1-style CEL codes from a 7th generation Civic by jumping a service connector. Have I learned something new?

 

You can pull OBD-I codes; but, if the person jumps the wrong terminals at the DLC/OBD-II connector, there is the possibility of damage.

 

the service connector is now in the OBD2 connector on 7th gens. jump pins 4 and 9 with a small paperclip and the SRS ABS and CEL will blink codes.

 

I did not know this was possible for 01-05 Civics. I thought a code reader was required. Good to know.

 

OP - If you reset the ECU, do any of the codes return after a drive?

 

I took a chance on it, figured this looks like an OBD2, and shorted it like one. Thanks for pointing out the cautions though, I'm the measure thrice, cut once kind of guy but then again, I've never dabbled in mechanics.

Do keep in mind that every time you recommend something I'm googling how to's that generally redirect back to honda-tech.com! Snow has turn to rain, and it's a little late right now but I will reset the ECU tomorrow and come back with current codes.

Thanks again for all replies, I could take her to a shop but, well what's the fun in that? ; )

 

About 2 days after last posting on here, the car stalled and wouldn't start back up. It would turn over but not fire.

Spark plugs were A-ok, OBD-2 reader was returning the exact same details as the codes I had gotten, which is to say, Knock Sensor, EVAP leak, TDC sensor.

When the side panel was taken off to get to the sensor, mechanic found the timing belt to be very loose, compression tests on cylinders returned 2 bad ones. Whatever happened, 2 valves were bent(sorry not a mechanic) .

4 days later, new engine/belt, runs like a charm. Big thanks to everybody who chimed in to help regardless!