My car won't shift well. It acts like it's being pulled backwards when shifting. When started it doesn't die at idle. But once I start driving it will die the next time it idles. I've checked the fuel pump and filter, distributor cap too. Not sure what else to do.

 

I had a similar problem with my 96 accord. Turned out that it wasn't a mechanical issue. If you haven't scanned your car for codes I'd recommend doing so. In my case it was a sensor right next to the intake. Engine wasn't able to properly mix air and fuel because the sensor was broken which caused the car to die either when:

You start the car and put it in gear. You'll get a few feet before it dies.

Or.

You'll keep the RPMs high so you can move, but when you come to a stop it dies.

The moving backwards feeling is probably you feeling how sluggish the engine is. The engine is running super rich and has no power. This happened to me a few years ago. Went to work and the car was 100%. Left work and the car was ***.

Best of luck!

 

Its currently in the shop. I was told it needs a new timing kit, valve cover gasket, and spark plugs. I was told the timing belt is breaking and the spark plugs got oil on them from the broken valve cover. Hopefully this fixes it and I'm not wasting almost $700.

 

 

$1,035.46 later and was told its a non VTEC with a VTEC engine. Although I did contact the original owner and he said it's just a VTEC housing with the non VTEC engine. He's going to replace the transmission selenoid or a shifter selenoid I'm not sure which or if that's the same thing. But it's been about a month since I've had it and the longest I can drive it is a couple feet.

 

surely it threw codes then!

 

no codes , not even a CEL

 

With any used car, consider that the CEL bulb may be burnt out or removed. It should come on when you turn the key on but don't try to start.

Having the timing belt skip time will cause poor performance with no codes (the OBDIIs are supposed to detect that with the crank sensor, but not always).

Like 97 said, owning one of these cars only makes economic sense if you can work on it yourself.

 

i checked to see if the CEL light works and it does, I turned the key over without starting it and it showed up. I'm just 19, I was buying my first car and I'm no mechanic. I did research about the Civic and it looked to be a good car. I'm just stuck in a really bad position