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Topic
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92 Civic Engine Dies Momentarily
I am the original owner of a 92 Honda Civic CX SOHC, engine # D15B8, 5 speed manual transmission. My current problem seems to be while driving during initial engine warm up. While in 2nd or 3rd gear, traveling at low RPM’s, the engine loses all power momentarily for 2-3 seconds. If I stay on the accelerator, it will usually jump back to life in that time frame. Also, when the engine dies, if I let off the gas and shift into neutral, the motor will always recover at idle and never stall completely.
This has happened 90% of the time during initial driving with a cold engine warming up. Continued driving at higher speeds does not have any performance issues. Also, when the engine does have its problem, if I turn on the headlights and/or heater/fan blower, the problem is amplified and acts accordingly with the turning on, turning off of those components. Once the car is running fine, (after warm up), the headlights or any electrical load is not an issue.
I have done what trouble shooting I can with a voltage/OHM meter, but without a test harness. Also I have checked for bad wires, connections and grounds, which all seem to be fine.
The alternator and battery have been checked under load and while driving, and there is no voltage drop to the computer, when experiencing the engine cut out issue. I jumped the service port on the computer and no codes were found. The check engine light came on once for about 30 minutes a couple of months ago. The problem has progressively gotten worse.The items replaced so far are:
• New fuel pump
• New fuel main relay
• New ignition switch
• New TPS sensor
• New ignition coil, igniter, rotor and distributor capI would like to be able to buy a test harness to thoroughly troubleshoot but seems it is not available.
If anybody has any suggestions on what I might focus on next, please let me know.
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Replies
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Welcome to the forums.
Let me link you to Eric’s idle speech –
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=1134
I would read that link and watch those video’s thoroughly.
I would also be looking at your IACV for any issues. You can usually tap on those with a screw driver and see if the idle will change.
I would also be doing more voltage drop checks, particularly for your engine grounds.
Another culprit could also be the electrical portion of your ignition switch. Next time the vehicle wants to die, try to jiggle the key in the ignition and see if you notice a change.
Good luck and keep us posted.
A+ on above post. when you replaced the fuel pump did you do the filter? also check your egr valve. good luck and keep us posted. C8-)
Pull your heat shield off, and see if you have a crack in your exhaust manifold.
Also, reset your timing.
Do you have a short air intake filter?The problem sounds electrical in nature since when other electrical loads are placed on the system the problem is amplified, here is a video that I did on charging system diagnosis that might help. It could also be an ignition switch problem as Dreamer suggested however what you describe does not sound like that’s the problem but it’s worth checking and easy enough to do. Also if you have a ‘big amp’ stereo you might consider disconnecting it to see if you still have the same problem, if it goes away then you might want to recheck the wiring for that system for problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTGz0PKIl84Turns out the problem was a bad computer. Found a local mechanic that specializes in Honda’s and he found a used computer and the car runs fine. Thanks for all of your advice. We tried several things and came to a dead end so we decided to swap out the computer and that worked!!! Evidently this is a common problem with older Honda cars.
Quoted From alicrose:
Turns out the problem was a bad computer. Found a local mechanic that specializes in Honda’s and he found a used computer and the car runs fine. Thanks for all of your advice. We tried several things and came to a dead end so we decided to swap out the computer and that worked!!! Evidently this is a common problem with older Honda cars.
I’ve worked on Honda’s for 15 years and I’ve replaced 3 computers in that time and one of those was because of a flood. I’m not saying that the computer didn’t fix your car but in my experience Honda ECU’s old or new are not an issue as you say.
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