I have a 1991 honda civic dx. Worked great until last week when i was stopped at a red light and the engine just cut out. Restarted OK. Then i was cruising down the freeway and the engine suddenly cut out again. I pulled over into the shoulder and it started fine. Now, i can't make a 5 minute trip to the store without it cutting out, and it takes a few tries to start. My mechanic cannot locate the cause. Anyone?

MCtrlSys

I've had this issue a number of times with my 91 dx hatch. There are two reasons i could think of why this could be happening. (Beyond the obvious issues). One is the distributor. I found that at some point so much oil had gotten in between my plug wires and the plugs that the capacitance overloaded the distributor. I believe what we replaced though was not the whole distributor but the unit in the distributor. The coil. Its cheaper to replace the coil but make sure to get rid of the initial problem before you do (wires and oil or just time) A new set of plug wires and the coil is cheaper than replacing the distributor.

The other possibility is the clutch disconnect switch. That is the switch that disallows you to start the car without the clutch engaged. This could be connected intermittently and has the capability of shutting the engine down. If this connection is loose or maybe has some arcing this could cause the problem as well.

Obviously the battery is being charged or you wouldn't be able to restart the car after the shutdown so it sounds to me to be one of the above. Also the car would sputter then die if it was a over-fuel or ECU issue. I hope this helps.

voneee

I have a 2000 Civic LX with the same problem. The first time it cut off I was just sitting at a light...the next I was driving down the road. The next day it was ok on the way to work then, on the way home it did it again. I replaced the fuel filter and it ran fine on the way to work in the morning and cut off again on the way home. I don't think temperature is a factor. Mydistibutor was replaced a year and a half ago, the plugs and wires are about 6 months old. I took it to the shop and of course it wouldn't cut off for them so they can't diagnose the problem. The check engine light does not come on so it is not throwing any codes. Oh, the first two times it cut off it started right back up...the last 4 times it cut off I had to wait about 4 minutes before it would start again.
Let me know if you find a solution to your problem and I'll let you know if I do!

txgreasemonkey

vonee, I'm inclined to suspect the Main Relay. Try replacing it and see if the problem goes away. It's a common problem on Hondas. First, disconnect the negative battery cable for 10 seconds, to reset the ECM. Record an radio codes first. Let me know if this solves the problem.

voneee

I got it fixxed!! I found a GREAT mechanic!! He tested the ignition (not the problem) then the main relay (not the problem). It was the distributor. I had a rebuilt one put in 2 years ago and it failed. The mechanic said that he's seen that problem ALOT and he will not put a rebuilt distributor in a Honda anymoe. He recommend a new one or a used one...I went with a used one due to the price so hopefully I'll beok for awhile.

txgreasemonkey

voneee, thanks for the update. Our experience on this site has been the same--only use genuine Honda distributors. All others are suspect.