So never on the freeway, but on main streets Ill be driving and my car will randomly shutoff. It'll throw a check engine light when its on the "on" position and when I try to retrieve the code through the jumper with a paper clip it remains solid. After 20 minutes or so the engine light will go away and the car will turn on again.

I've changed the whole distributor, ecu, main relay, and my spark plugs are relvenlty new.

1997 civic dx hatchback with a obd2a gsr swap.

 

You replaced the distributor because of this issue? It could possibly be a ignitor/icm issue or ignition switch.

 

Next time the check engine light comes on, immediately and safely pull over, and without turning off the car, retrieve the code.

Simple as that.

 

I tried that but the engine light will stay solid and will not provide a code

 

If it were a bad icm and it possibly went out wouldnt it stay that way and my car not be able to turn on? This has been happening all throughout the year every blue moon.

 

The issue could be a number of things.

Some common issues: main relay, ignition coil, cap, rotor, fuel pump, icm, ignition harness (under steering wheel).

Start doing the standard tests.

Did you replace your dizzy with a brand new OEM dizzy?

 

You might to take special attention to the ignition switch. Does it sometimes not go to the on position with your turn the key? Ive had a similar issue before and it would randomly turn off.

 

I misread what you originally wrote.

When the car dies, if the dash lights also go off at the same exact moment then the problem is the ignition switch.

 

I changed the main relay with a brand new one, I wa thinking it could be the fuel pump but if that went out it would go out for good, this problem has been occuring for a year once or twice every few months.

 

It goes into the on position ive never had a problem with it getting stuck or anything

 

Everything stays on, and all the lights come on like when you turn the key to the "on" position.

 

BUMP bad ecm maybe?

 

had the same thing happens to my 98 dx . it ended up being the ignition switch wiring. their was a recall for this. look it up hope it helps.

 

I am very interested in the replies to this concern, as my sons car does the same thing. We have, however, replaced the ignition switch and the pcm and the problem persists. The check engine light comes on when it occurs only because the key is in the on position and the engine is not running. It happened once at our home and my code reader could not connect to the computer while the problem persisted. Once the vehicle would start again, there were not any codes. It appears the computer losses power, but I'm not certain where the loss of power is. Hoping someone has seen it before and was able to fix it. Looking for any help. I doubt if we are the only ones that have experienced this. Thanks
One other note, when it stalls, the vehicle can not be taken out of park position normally, even with the key in the on position, only can be taken out of park if over-ridden manually. Once it starts, it works normally.

 

May want to check the ground on the thermostat . another problem that I had too was that ground bolt was loose nd would randomly shut off while driving

 

Most common problem for "random" stalling is a bad coil, next is the ICM, then the PGM-FI Main relay, [or wiring related to it, with the ground at the thermostat housing being the most common wiring issue] then the fuel pump and last is the ign. switch.

Although there are others, the above are the most common, the ECU/ECM should be added to the above, you did say the CEL is on solid, [indicates a bad ECU/ECM] 94

 

I checked for recalls but there ar not for my 1997 dx unfortunatly

 

I tried using my chipped p-28 and p72, but the same problem continues to happen. The check engine light comes on when the car turns off and after I wait 15-20 mintues the car will turn on and drive fine without any engine lights. Is it possible both ECU's are bad?

Also when this problem occurred last year I changed the entire dizzy with a used one it went away the entire winter and and now its back.