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Honda Civic Randomly Stalls

14 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2010 at 11:53 AM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Honda, Engine, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#5 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [amanhayer] by ltistudent

May 19, 2009 (11:46 am)

Replying to: amanhayer (May 18, 2009 10:27 pm)
L1 or D1 on shifter

#6 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [ltistudent] by amanhayer

May 19, 2009 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: ltistudent (May 19, 2009 11:46 am)
Their wasn't a D1 or an L1. I only had D, D3 and D2. But I tried all three highest it ever went was about 1,500 RPMs.
 
Anyways I also checked the oil it is fine. I have a good colour, no smell and good volume.
 
I called the Dealer and asked them what they did and they did check the transmission and did a stress test and it didn't stall. But they do have a new theory. They think it is either the starter or the spark plugs or some other part of the ignition system.

#7 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [amanhayer] by ltistudent

May 21, 2009 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: amanhayer (May 19, 2009 5:01 pm)
So the car passed the test thats good (tranny jobs are expensive)
 
Check the spark plugs before you go to dealer, again check if its wet smeels like fuel or black that bad, check the proper gap, you should have that info in your owners manual, remember when you replacing the spark plugs you have to check the spark plug gap !!!!!, wrong gap might cause spark engine fireing order proglems, (I would guess that prark plug gap is between (0.040" to 0.035") but please double check.
 
To be honest I dont think that is a starter problem (starter is used only when you cranking the engine, starter engages and turns the flex plate) so starter cant stall the engine while you driving. Gear ratio between starter and flex plate is 1:30 so if starter would accidenly engaged while you driving (so let say in about 2300rpm) flex plate teeth would brake the starter sprocket (teeth).
 
What I think also that you might have fuel delievery problem
- one of your injector might have wrong fuel trim so can cause engine to stall,
but then your car probably would stall even in crouse speed,
To check injctors you need to have automotive lab scope.
-check fuel lines, fuel filter might be clogged
 
tell me what kind of fuel are you using ? 87 octanes - regular?
 
In these days car is all computer, other think that fuel delievery problem can be poor conection to the PCM/BCM, check all the connectors which are going to your PCM (Power Train Control Module) in your honda yours is probably behind front passenger side kick panel, REMEMBER voltage spike can overload the PCM Guard causing several components to overheat and fail, SO WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO CHECK CONECTORS Thatch witch your hand good ground to avoid any spikes!
 
If I were you I would run all posible tests on lab scope, including all pressure tests off course myself in the shop they would charge you fortune,
I think that your engine stalls causes some small buls.....!
 
good luck
Chris
 
one more think ! ? at idle, outside the car can you smell fuel, take your hand behind the tailpipe and smell it?

#8 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [ltistudent] by amanhayer

May 21, 2009 (9:44 pm)

Replying to: ltistudent (May 21, 2009 3:49 pm)
Interesting that you mention fuel. This whole thing started when I put 91 octanes in my tank. The Shell station changed the layout of their station and I stuck the wrong nozzle in my tank. I mentioned that to the dealer and they said it might not have anything to do with it, but even if it did it would have cleared up by now. I only use 87 octanes now. I refilled it 3 or 4 times since.
 
Anyways the dealer is doing diagnostics for free now. They had my car for the last few days so I mentioned the spark plugs, fuel filter and fuel pump to them and they said all that is fine. They could pull it apart but there is no point because I don't get a check engine light or an error code.
 
As for the computer, I am not touching that one. Even if it is a problem with the computer I would just buy a new car. The cost is too high to justify a fix on a 7 ½ year old car.
 
The dealer is going off a theory now; they believe the ignition switch is worn. When I brought my car home, I did a quick google search for “Ignition Switch” and “stalling” and I came across Honda’s Ignition Switch Recall
 
An affected vehicle will likely experience difficulty in starting for a period of time prior to experiencing any engine stall. Normally, the vehicle can be restarted immediately.
 
(...)
 
While drving the vehicle, the engine just quits. There is no stuttering, stalling, or engine misfires, it quietly just quits. The radio, heater fan, brake lights still work but not the signal lights.
 
Even though, mine is 2002 the way they describe the problem is exactly the same as mine. I even have noticed it will take a few cranks to start at times. I don't need to flip the key back, the car keeps cranking. Not sure if that is the same.
 
I wonder if that is it or even the heavy key. I have about four keys on mine plus a USB stick. The first time it happened was a few weeks after I bought the stick. Like I said it feels like some just turned the key and it turned off. I am going to take off the USB Stick and my bike lock key and see if anything changes.
 
Anyways what they told me is every time it stalls just make a log of it. After it happens a few times bring in the log and they will judge it.
 
I would appreciate any more suggestion?
 
As for the tailpipe thing I will give that a try in the morning. But so far I haven't smelled fuel.

#9 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [amanhayer] by ltistudent

May 22, 2009 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: amanhayer (May 21, 2009 9:44 pm)
I had acura tl 99 and exacly same problem engine stalls and they had Ignition Switch Recall owner before me changed that and car still stalled, my problem was torque converter !
 
try that ignition switch !!!

#10 of 14 Re: Honda Civic Randomly Stalls [ltistudent] by amanhayer

May 23, 2009 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: ltistudent (May 22, 2009 2:57 pm)
Did you get a check engine light when that happened? Also did it restart right away?
 
But anyways I removed extra set of keys so if it does stall then I am going for the ignition switch. Is there a way to test the ignition switch?

#11 of 14 *My 2002 Honda Civic Stalls help* by civiicx1

Jun 11, 2009 (3:20 pm)

i have a silver 2 door 2002 honda civic.
i just bought the car used a week ago
when i start the car in the morning as i reverse out of my drive way once i put the car in drive the gas pedal wont budge and the car begins shaking and im pressing on the gas pedal as hard as i can and the RPM shoots up but the car doesnt move anywhere after it shoots up the car stalls again and repeats 3-4 times and after that the car starts moving again, i brought the car back to the dealership and they claimed they fixed it, the next day it did it again and i brought it back and they claimed they fixed it again, the next day it did it once again, im not sure what the problem is can somebody help

#12 of 14 Re: *My 2002 Honda Civic Stalls help* [civiicx1] by chidoro19

Sep 03, 2009 (11:37 am)

Replying to: civiicx1 (Jun 11, 2009 3:20 pm)
I have been dealing with this problem for a few weeks now. I can usually get the car going right away but it's pretty dangerous as it only happens while I'm moving so dropping it into neutral and restart is the only way to really do it for my commute. Two times I've had to pull over and wait. I just put in a STP fuel injector cleaner so I'm going to see how well that works. I'll probably do it on my next two tanks of gas. FYI, mine is a 1998 civic ex w/ 222k on it.

#13 of 14 Re: *My 2002 Honda Civic Stalls help* [chidoro19] by imm19

Jun 09, 2010 (1:19 pm)

Replying to: chidoro19 (Sep 03, 2009 11:37 am)
Had this problem on my daughter's 99 Civic Automatic. Replaced the ignition switch ($30 from Advance Auto Parts and 1 hour labor) and is like a new again:)

#14 of 14 1995 Civic LX Automatic stalled won't start by bigdaddylayne

Nov 01, 2010 (11:53 am)

Hi
Was leaving work accelerating down highway... let up on gas (car in front was travelling slow)... car stalled... hasn't started again.
Gas is full
Oil was low about 1.5 litres (now topped up)
Car has 350000km
Plenty of battery
no light flicker/dim (no alternator issue)
starter spins but engine doesn't fire
 
Has given no problems ever ... any ideas .. ways to eliminate possilitlies
thanks

Messages Page 2 of 2

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