Stall while driving

[Michael Russell]

Ill try to make this short
I’ve had problems with my car recently and have posted about those too (maybe they’re linked or the same thing but a lesser version?)
Anyway I have replaced the ignition switch, shouldered the main relay connections, and replaced the dizzy because it had red dust and the coil inside it was bad.
The new Dizzy seemed to solve the issue I was having and she has been starting up better than ever.

However on my way home last night, the car “stalled” when I was driving. The engine just shut off but didn’t “stall” as in hearing and feeling the clunk. The electronics were still on, and so while the car was rolling, I turned the car of and on again and was able to drive it like normal.
This was odd to me because the previous times the car died, they were on a hot days and I was not able to turn the car back on for a few days.

I know I have a bad CAT that sounds like there’s rocks in it, but Im not sure if that would cause the engine to turn off. The battery seems to have 12v aswell. Does anyone know what would cause a car to just shut off like that while driving? Any assistance is appreciated 🙂

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

You would need live data at the time this occurs to give you an accurate direction to follow.
But with out having that..
Possible fuel delivery issue.
Faulty electrical connection.
ECU issue.
Sorry to be so broad stroked, but there is not much information to proceed with.

[Mike]

Yes a bad cat can cause stalling.
The engine needs to expel exhaust just as much as it needs to take air in.
As for whether it is the entire problem, no one can say.

Having said that… and to add to nightflyr’s wise words… aftermarket ignition parts are often very troublesome on Hondas, as ETCG states here:
https://ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems/notes-on-honda-ignition-systems

[Michael Russell]

[quote=”nightflyr” post=196256]Sorry to be so broad stroked, but there is not much information to proceed with.[/quote]
Thank you, I appreciate ur response as it gives me some things to research and look into 🙂

[Michael Russell]

[quote=”Bonnieman” post=196257]Yes a bad cat can cause stalling.
aftermarket ignition parts are often very troublesome on Hondas[/quote]
I’m hoping I got a Honda distributor, the company I got it from said they sell them from them dealership, Plus it was a more expensive one and Eric said Honda dizzys usually are.
I’m going to have to replace the cat eventually anyway, but I don’t want to replace it now due to cost just to see if it is the problem. Any idea how clogged it would have to be to throw off the stuff it is telling the computer which would mess up calculations?

[Michael Russell]

I can hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the car on, and have listened the the ‘clicking’ of the fuel injectors with a stethoscope. People say Honda fuel pumps rarely go bad and it is hard for fuel filters to be clogged. But there’s always a chance I guess. Having to change the ECU would suck im guessing,

[Mike]

[quote=”McRussell” post=196261] I’m going to have to replace the cat eventually anyway, but I don’t want to replace it now due to cost just to see if it is the problem. Any idea how clogged it would have to be to throw off the stuff it is telling the computer which would mess up calculations?[/quote]
It’s not just messing up calculations, it’s actually choking off the engine.
The rattling from inside the cat tells you that the substrate is broken into pieces. Those pieces may sometimes allow enough flow and sometimes act like a log-jam of sorts and when no or very little exhaust exits the engine, it stalls the engine.

Some people, as a test, might remove the converter and take the catalyst out—though that would be a violation of federal emissions laws.
There are some reasonably priced converters on Rockauto and probably Amazon, by Walker and Bosal.

[Richard Kirshy]

[quote=”McRussell” post=196262]I can hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the car on, and have listened the the ‘clicking’ of the fuel injectors with a stethoscope. People say Honda fuel pumps rarely go bad and it is hard for fuel filters to be clogged. But there’s always a chance I guess. Having to change the ECU would suck im guessing,[/quote]
Hearing the pump run does not always indicate proper fuel pressure.
You would need to hook in a fuel pressure gauge on to the fuel rail to verify the required pressure,
Another item: There is also a possibility that a faulty fuel pressure regulator may be the issue.
Just some food for thought.

[Author]

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