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View Full Version : Honda CRV 1998 intermittent random stalling


jeromecar
Apr 30, 2013, 08:03 PM
Bought a used Honda CRV 1998 with 118k miles and it stalls randomly after it has warmed up, it has driven for 40 minutes and for 1 minute. Then it will start back up again after 5-10 minutes and run perfectly. It starts cold fine too. When it is running it is very smooth with plenty of power and no strange noises.
Looked at many sites and replaced the ignition switch. Still stalling.
Drove around until it stalled and using a spare spark plug, check for spark. There was none. Left it for about 5 minutes and tried it a few times. Once I saw spark it started right away (even on three cylinders).
I am assuming it is either the igniter or the main relay, as these seem to be the most common reported problems. I'm going to test these out on the weekend.
Any other suggestions?

TxGreaseMonkey
May 1, 2013, 06:12 AM
Replace the igniter and coil. Apply silicone heat transfer compound to the back of the new igniter. This will solve your problem.

These items are often destroyed by using a worn out rotor and distributor cap. High secondary voltage is turned on the igniter and coil. Best to replace every 60,000 miles.

jeromecar
May 1, 2013, 10:02 AM
Replace the igniter and coil. Apply silicone heat transfer compound to the back of the new igniter. This will solve your problem.

These items are often destroyed by using a worn out rotor and distributor cap. High secondary voltage is turned on the igniter and coil. Best to replace every 60,000 miles.

Thanks for the answer. I have the igniter and coil coming in this week. I'll do those first and let you know. I noticed the bottom screw on the distributer cap is missing, but the other two were tight and the inside of the cap was pretty clean. So I have a new cap coming too. I won't bother with the main relay for now.

jeromecar
May 5, 2013, 02:31 PM
Replaced the igniter and this fixed the problem, has not stalled since and I've driven at least 100 miles.
Used plenty of heat transfer compound between the igniter and the heatsink and the heatsink and the distributor (probably not needed but couldn't hurt). The old one was an NEC and didn't have any heat transfer compound on it.
After testing it and verifying it was the igniter I put in a new coil and main relay just because I bought them already. I couldn't replace the distributor cap because one of the metal inserts from the old cap is stuck in the old distributor and I couldn't get it out.
So all in all it was a success thanks TxGreaseMonkey

TxGreaseMonkey
May 5, 2013, 06:12 PM
Nice job. You actually want to add a thin, even coat of silcone heat transfer compound to the back of the new igniter.