Check out some similar questions!

xoticangel · Jun 12, 2009, 09:45 AM

Someone please help! I have a 1993 Honda civic with a 1.5 that has just over 158000 miles on it. Two days ago I drove about 15 miles from my home and as I put it in reverse, it quietly died. Would not restart. It would crank, but not fire. Had it towed back to the house, two hours later, where a couple more attempts to start it failed. Last night I walked outside, in the rain, and it fired right up. Over the past year it has on several occasions choked, idle very low, at a stop light, but never died. Also has on occasion died right after starting and taken a few attempts to restart. It does not seem to matter if it is hot or cold when it does any of this. Turning on power turns on the CEL and it does go out, also can hear the relay kick on and off and can hear the fuel pump briefly. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that I have a coolant leak from the upper hose, almost as if its clogged somewhere and being forced out at that location. (changed the thermostat a couple months back thinking that was the issue but dd not help) I have to fill the radiator periodically but do not understand why when it seems its all ending up in the reserve tank and not being sucked back into the radiator...

TxGreaseMonkey · Jun 12, 2009, 10:34 AM

. Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil:

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

These are the two most problematic electrical components on Hondas of this generation and are responsible for most problems like yours. I recommend replacing them every 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. If the distributor has never been replaced, you may want to just install a new complete distributor assembly. This will come with a new ICM and coil. It will also ensure the internal CKP, TDC, and CYL sensors are good. I'd recommend going with a genuine Honda only, since we have a many new aftermarket distributors for Hondas not working. Your problem is definitely distributor-related.

. Replace the radiator and upper radiator hose. It sounds like phosphate scale or corrosion has clogged your radiator. This link should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post235973

xoticangel · Jun 12, 2009, 11:04 AM

I put a new radiator in it almost 2 yrs ago and also just replced the upper hose about a month ago. I had an oil change done last summer and the idiots put green antifreeze into my G05 though just topped off the radiator and filled the reserve, not enough to turn it a significant color change, after I told them not to and they swear they didn't do it. Could this be causing the issue of possible plug? Will definitely try the icm and coil thing. Thanks for the input! Will let you know how it turns out.

TxGreaseMonkey · Jun 12, 2009, 11:18 AM

You may want to drain the coolant and start over, since G-05 is a HOAT technology and green antifreeze is just etheylene glycol. There could easily be a compatibility problem. Also, check that the thermostat was installed properly. Improper installation is a leading cause of engines overheating. I would also check the radiator cap--there may be an issue preventing the coolant from being sucked back into the engine, when it cools down.

xoticangel · Jun 28, 2009, 11:35 AM

I ended up taking everything apart the other day to have icm and coil checked. After removing the two screws that secure coil I discovered the 2 wire connector was melted to the coil. After finally getting it to break free from coil, was very careful not to pull wires, could only get rubber "cover" to release. Wire connectors stuck to coil and red wire is bare and has broken/loose pieces. I believe this to have been the whole problem. Coil has a remanned sticker on it and I wonder if the yahoos that fixed it did a halfassed job. Nedless to say, my poor Honda is now sitting in the driveway completely inoperable because I can't afford to fix it right now.