'88 Honda Civic DX. Pls. help. I have an intermittent electrical problem (last few months). My car will just turn off while driving. Originally this happened while my A/C was on 4. The car would turn back on after a few minutes. About a month ago it turned off while driving and would not turn back on. Had it towed and the mechanic said it was the ignition switch - so had it replaced.

Now the car will turn over but won't catch. Monday I kept trying and it finally started. Today it wouldn't start. Thought it may be the battery but lights are working. Tried to jump (just in case) but nothing happened. In fact, I put water in the battery and when I jumped it there was smoke and the cables got really hot.

Anyhow, car is dead right now and debating on whether to take it to the dealer to get fixed or leaving it alone and buying another car this weekend. (I just put $1200 in this car in August.) I can't take breaking down all the time - scary. Sometimes it turns over, sometimes it clicks, sometimes it's completely dead while trying to start. Also, will shut off on me while driving. Any ideas? Love this site.

 

Distributor?

 

im not sure. i know my moms car didnt start cause it needed a new coil. im not sure if that has anything to do with it shutting off while driving. but yea the distributer may also b a problem u should look into.

 

try the main relay. 80% of the time it's that. it's a $50 part or you can take it apart and desolder the joints and resolder them back. the main relay should be right next to your fuse box or hood latch. if its not then contact honda and they will tell you where it is or look in your repair manual.

 

I agree i think its the main relay b/c if its the dizzy then if the dizzy is getting bad eventually sooner than later the car will no longer start and you wont have spark. Your fuel supply is gettin cut off causing the shut down def. check the relay and u can get it for like 30-40bucks at http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 

Thanks for the help. I'll check out the main relay and distributor. b/c otherwise it's a great little car!

 

Basically cars need fuel air and spark, I dought your air filter could be that clogged, it's easy to check for spark, stick a peice of metal in the spark plug wire cable and touch something while turning the engine over.

My car I just replaced the distributor, guys on here were saying main relay but the fuel was ok.

If not spark it could be the ignition coil to. btw if u need a new rotor and cap in your distributor it may be cheper to get a whole distributor from a wrecker.