Unexplained stalling!

Willy · Newbie Joined: May 25, 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles

My 95 Integra GS-R has ~90M on it. 2 months ago I replaced the timing belt (preventive maintainance) and the radiator (had a tiny leak). In the last few weeks, the check-engine light began coming on at random times. I really could detect no patern to it.
Last week, while downshifting (I think!) on the freeway, at about 30 MPH, the car died. Putting it in neutral INCREASED the speed--dropping it back into 2nd did NOT revive the engine, it merely slowed me down, and I stalled. Couldnt get it started for 15 min., though it cranked very nicely. Got towed off the freeway, waited there another 20 min...and it started right up.
Neither the mechanic nor I have been able to duploicate the problem. Does ANYONE have ANY idea whats going on??

Thanks very much,
Willy

AcuraImport · Site Admin Joined: Mar 11, 2003 Posts: 377

Damn, that 's wierd!

So the engine cut out while it was in motion, if so it must be an electrical problem. Did your mechanic run an engine diagnostics tool check the computer for error codes? If so what came up? If not u may want to take it to your mechanic or AutoZone they will do an engine diagnosis for u for free, usually they're pretty helpful. Once the check engine light comes on it shouldn't turn off until the comp codes have been cleared... so if u alread checked the comp for codes and came up w/ nuthing I don't know what to tell u, except hope that it was an act of God and there really isn't anything wrong w/ your car

I have a 97 gsr w/ 75k miles and I just replaced my timing belt too. Keep me posted if you find out what happened. Hopefully, I won't have to deal w/ that problem but if I do it would be nice to know what is going on

Willy · Newbie Joined: May 25, 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles

Yeah, you know, they DID run the codes. All they could tell from them, they said, was that the problem was somewhere in the coil or the distributor... but they were left confused enough that they weren't ready to recommend replacing either one--b/c it's expensive, and no guarantee of solving the problem. I didn't argue.
But...DAMN am I scratching my head.
And the "check engine" light just comes on whenever it feels like. I think it stays on until I cut the engine. A couple of times I've done that at speed, then turned it back on--and the light's gone.
Aaaagggghhh!
I'm figuring my best bet here is to keep looking until I find someone who's had a similar experience. But: I'm open to any other suggestions you may have!
Cheers,
Willy

AcuraImport · Site Admin Joined: Mar 11, 2003 Posts: 377

I know how u feel man. I used to have a probe that was nuthin' but trouble.
A little while back my VTEC stoped working and no one could tell me why. The codes given were acura specific so the tools my mech. had didn't recognize what was wrong. Luckily, i have a service manual for the 96 integra (written by Acura engineers) it is the best manual i have. It has all the DTC codes and troubleshooting proceedures. For example, when my MIL light (check engine) came on I got a code of 'P1259' which left everyone scratching their heads. I looked it up in my book and just followed some simple steps and i was back in business.
If you want I could look up your code see if it is any help. The manual is for a 96, and may be a little different but its worth a shot. All the codes start w/ a 'P' and is usually followed by a 4 digit number, like (P1259 - Malfunctioning VTEC).

Integra Guest · Guest

I also have a similar stall problem with my '93 Integra LS (130Kmi). When I start the car and the 'check engine' light goes on with a click sound, I can usually start the car without stalling afterwards. However, at other times, when I start the car and the 'check engine' light goes on WITHOUT the click sound, I can start the car but the engine dies immediately. There seems to be a pattern with this. Has anyone experienced such problem? If so, how did you go about fixing it? -thnx!

mechmo · Guest

Radium163 · Newbie Joined: Nov 19, 2003 Posts: 1

i have a 93 integra rs w/74k, and it stalls out ALL the time. For the longest time, i would start the car and after it would drop into a low idle after warming up, the tach would flutter and drop out, and the engine would die. The car wouldn't idle for longer than 5 mins before dying. First, I heard it could be a problem with the Main Relay, so i redid all the connections on the board... nothing. Then, I changed the main ignition component and it worked for a day (today), and when i went to start it up tonight, it started doing the same thing. I've tried EVERYTHING i know and i can't find a way to fix it... so i know how you guys feel

~Dave

Gtlvr82 · Newbie Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1

Alright guys....I became a member just for this thread...hehe. I have a '93 civic hatch with a GSR/B20B motor...OBD1. I have had the EXACT same problems that the first poster had...still having them actually. I also have a Skunk2/Street Program chip in the ecu...from Skunk2. I think that the ecu might also be bad...

JoJo · Newbie Joined: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 4

after several tows and no explanations available from several mechanics, checked alternator, replaced battery, all cables, plugs etc. it has happened again!
Latest recommendation we have is to take it to an Acura dealer and have the ignition modulator checked to see if it is the problem....the thing just stalls out without warning....on the highway, starting up in an intersection, never when starting up in the morning on a cold day and never within the first 30 mins of driving....puzzled and frustrated!

dawhiteshadow · Newbie Joined: Jan 26, 2004 Posts: 2

I have an 89 integra ls I recently had a bunch of work done on it.. swapped the B16 for a ZC.. new tranny.. clutch.. ecu.. distributor.. fuel pump & filter.. after I got it back the car would run great for a little while then the check engine light would come on and it would stall. It would die going down the freeway, going around corners, after sitting at a stop light, etc. It would start after sitting for about 15 minutes but then it would act up again a few miles down the road. We checked the computer for codes but it didn't throw any out.. Turns out my catalytic converter was toast. We replaced it and it fixed all the problems.

JoJo · Newbie Joined: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks for that advice...your experience sounds the same as ours. We'll check that out! Wonder how much that will cost?

illestro · Newbie Joined: Jan 30, 2004 Posts: 2

Hi there,

I'm a newbie here but I thought that I would add my 2 cents worth. I have a 1991 integra and experienced the same weird problems - intermittant stalling and then it would start after a few minutes. It turned out to be a faulty ignition control module. I got it replaced - it was around 100bucks ( if I remember correctly) and haven't seen the problem since.

DC2 · Newbie Joined: Jan 30, 2004 Posts: 1

hello, newbie here. i'm having the same problem and its very un nerving when it happens. i have 95 gsr with jacskson racing supercharger. recently, the fuel pressure regulator(from jrs) started leaking so i had it replaced along with the fuel pressure relay because i was told "they were known to go bad on this vehicle". driving to work a few days later, the car just died. pulled over to the side both times and started back up. talking to a friend of mine and he noticed that my car is running very rich and suggested that this could be my problem. in reading some of your experiences, i'm inclined to think that its something else. i would appreciate any feedbacks.

JoJo · Newbie Joined: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 4

Hi again...well here's our latest news....took the car to an Acura dealer with the following summary...vehicle cuts out intermittently and will not start at the time. Runs fine about 8 - 10 hours later. The engine light came on each time the car died. So, $937. later we now have a new ignitor and coil, cap and rotor. They replaced original part which they said was coroded on the inside of the cap. They also performed a throttle body and fuel rail flush and reinstalled the fuel filter which had apparently been installed incorrectly when it was replaced several months ago. After all this work was done they checked the engine light and found that the Code 3 MAP sensor was reading incorrectly. The code was reset and did not return as before. It has now been 4 days since the work was done and so far [touch wood] no problems. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

magma_uranium · Newbie Joined: Jan 31, 2004 Posts: 1

ok, heres my problem, i have a 91 integra LS. I turn the key and the car starts up normally, but AS soon as i let go of the key, from the ingition position, the car stalls/dies. This takes me about 8 times, then finally it will start up and run just fine. Today, on the way home from work, the car stalled about a block from home. As long as held the key in ignition position, i could give it enough gas to pull into the drive way. Now, i cant get it started again. Any ideas? Im thinking it might be the ignition.