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-   -   89 honda civic with previos electrical probs stalling out/trouble starting? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=76650)

  • Mar 27, 2007, 11:32 PM
    jbee
    89 honda civic with previos electrical probs stalling out/trouble starting?
    I bought this car about a year ago , and when I got it I had to redo part of the front electrical harness that attaches to the lights but I had to go as far back as the alt. the guy that had it messed it up by trying to repair a light and frying it all the way back, then he rigged his radio somehow and killed the cig lighter wire altogether.

    Anyway after I rewired I noticed the check engine light started to come on only when driving on highway after hitting about 50 mph for about 5 min and only when the temp gauge hits mid point(it did not do it in winter when temp gauge stayed all the way down), then the check engine light goes back out after you turn car off and on, when the light goes on(when driving) it feels like something wants to kick on, or something kicks on but does not come on really, so I figured I screwed up the wiring for one of the fans cause it did not do this before I rewired, anyway this is leading me to my question(just whoever answers I wanted them to know this info first, it may or may not be part of the problem).

    So recently the car has started stalling when driving(just shutting off) and I have trouble starting it. I did a full tune up/valve cover gaskets about a year ago and oil change recently, I do not know where fuel filter is or how to change, can anyone help there? Do you think the check engine light has something to do with the stalling cause it has been coming on and off like that for sometime now without stalling, do you think it could possibly be something electrical? I'm fishing with that one only cause of the rewiring I did, but the car has been fine for about a year now without any stalling or starting problems , only the check engine light came on the way I described but then went out again and really did not affect the way the car ran, unless on the highway, and then light would come on.

    I know it's a long drawn question, but can anyone help, I have to fix this on my own, I have recently been laid off with no compensation.

    Thanks in advance
    jbee
  • Mar 28, 2007, 07:48 AM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Readings sections A and B should help you find the cause to your problem:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ics-46563.html

    Be sure and perform all of the tests, in the suggested order.
  • Mar 29, 2007, 08:48 AM
    jbee
    Hello thanks for your response, I did check out some of what was in the answer you sent me, and at this point I am thinking "did i mess up a wire in the wire harness that has to do with the fuel pump, or is that not possible, meaning do the wires from the fuel pump not run up under the hood where i could have caused the stalling?" And then I thought if this is not the problem, is it possible it is the fuel filter, cause when I am hitting the gas at the higher speeds(like 55-60mph)and this is when check engine comes on only and then goes off when you restart the car, when this happens I am usually applying gas and it feels kind of weird from the pedal like the gas is slightly restricted, but not a hesitation more of a drag like something is in front of it.

    Also I do not know how to locate the fuel filter on this car 89 honda civic hatchback, can you help here? I also have no tech skill, well very little, battery changing, spark plugs etc... can you send instructions more simple than the one in the post or is that basically the directions?

    And if it is the injectors I also have no knowledge on how to check or locate them?

    I am not sure where to begin, maybe just a simple fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank? I am very concerned because of the rewiring I did, but like I said I did it about a year ago and the car only started stalling recently but the check engine light always came on since then and did not before hand. Do you have any advice where to begin this trouble shoot?

    And I really appreciate the support, I am out of work and really need this car to get around right now, any more you can do will go a long way.

    Thanks in advance
    jbee
  • Mar 29, 2007, 08:50 AM
    Rockabilly1955mama
    Best of luck to you!
  • Mar 29, 2007, 09:23 AM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Those basically are the directions. The fuel pump should be located on the passenger side of the firewall. Look for a black metal canister, with an incoming fuel line and an outgoing line going to the fuel rail. See if this helps:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post224689
  • Mar 30, 2007, 07:36 PM
    jbee
    Hey what's up,
    After further looking into on this matter, I am going to take a shot at changing the ignition module, any chance of getting step by step directions or finding a place to download a diagram on the internet?

    Thanks
    jbee
  • Mar 31, 2007, 10:08 AM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Here's how to change the Ignition Control Module:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post265896

    Personally, I would change the coil and rotor while you're at it.
  • Apr 1, 2007, 03:45 PM
    jbee
    Hey thanks again for all your help, you have been great responding so quickly and acurately, I think I decided to change the whole distributor, any chance on getting those step by step directions for the distributor in a similar description like the ones you sent me for the ignition module. If you have time.

    Thanks a million times
    jbee
  • Apr 1, 2007, 04:21 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Here you are:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post288473
  • Apr 1, 2007, 07:53 PM
    hiperf402
    Jbee. You need to stop working on your car. If you can't locate a fuel filter or injectors, just stop.
  • Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM
    jbee
    Im sorry but I kind of fell like I was replying to txgreasemonkey, not you, so I guess your meaningless input was not needed. Also if someone is on a site like this asking for help(someone that has no tech experience) I guess there would be a reason, something like they don't have any other means at this point. So if you are some type of an authority on telling people what to do, then do it somewhere else!

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