1999 Honda Accord Car shut offs while driving

DAWNYBABY

MEMBER
1999 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
101,000 MILES

My 99 Honda Accord LX has been shutting off lately, while I am driving or slowing down to a stop. I have taken it for a tune up, battery replacement, the works, no one can tell me exactly what the problem is. The engine light came on last week & took it for a diagnostic and I was told my oxygen sensor needs to be replaced and my distributor. He told me the oxygen sensor had nothing to do with the car shutting off, so I changed the distributor and it still shut off and my engine light came back on. Is it really the oxygen sensor that causing the shut off? I plan on changing the timing belt soon, would that have something to do with it also? When the car shuts off it usually starts back up with in a few minutes, but it is getting extremely frustrating. Can you help?

3 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

First of all, there are two O2 sensors. Next, a timing belt replacement will not address this issue. However, I would solve this problem prior to getting the timing belt replaced. I say that because when the timing belt is replaced, if the crankshaft position sensor is causing the problem and it could be, it is located in the area you open to replace the timing belt and would be much easier and cheaper in the long run.

I assume that it is random when the engine shuts off. When it is down and I assume it does not fire immediately after the shutdown. Maybe you could expand on that. This is the time to be doing the testing right after a shutdown.

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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 2:25 PM

DAWNYBABY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the response, just so I understand correctly, are you recommending to change both O2 sensors? The shut down happens randomly, I can go for days and weeks at a time w/o a shut off, and it usually take a few minutes to restart. However all the electrical stuff is still working, the lights, dash, radio, etc.

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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 2:25 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

What I was trying to get at is when the shutdown occurs that is when you want to see if there is spark or fuel to the cylinders. When the car is running normally and tested, everything will come back positive. Not a great answer for you, especially since it is random. I was not telling you to replace either of the sensors. I don't think they would cause the shutdown. I assume that the vehicle operates just fine and your mileage is staying as low as always. I say this because I really think Honda could boost the mileage on their cars.

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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 2:25 PM