2000 Honda Civic LX keeps dying

MECH DUMMY

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CIVIC

My niece has a 200 Honda Civic LX that runs for about 20 minutes than dies. I can re start it and it runs for about 10 minutes than dies. It then will turn over but not start until after it sits for 20 to 30 minutes, then its the same routine all over again. I have disconnected the catalytic converter, replaced the ignition coil, checked fuel flow prior to the filter, checked spark, I checked the O2 sensors for loose wires or connections and the main relay is working. Three Months ago the distributor and ECM was replaced. The engine light was on, I read it with an OBD II and it showed "Catalyst emision low" I cleared the fault and it has not returned. I am at my wits end. When its running it sounds good and when it dies it just stops, no putter, no surge, just stops. Oh yeah and I can here the fuel pump engage. PLease HELP.

4 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

During the down time when it will not start is that time when you have been performing most of the tests? During that time is there spark at the plugs and do you smell a strong fuel smell? Have you considered talking to Honda on a possible failing ignition switch that seems to be common on Honda? Another consideration that fits is the camshaft position sensor. I trust you have a service manual on the vehicle but I believe there is a test you can run with a volt-ohm meter.

Let me know what you find.

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Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 AT 6:51 AM

MECH DUMMY

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3 POSTS

Yes I have aprk on the down times and I do not smell gas. The Cam locator sensors tested OK. I replaced the fuel fitler just because I had not yet and there is no way I know of to test. Bottom line. Same problem. I heard abot a test on the catalytic converter, keep car at 3000 RPM until fan kicks on. Then see if code P0420 comes back. If it does its the converter. I have suspected the convertor from the start but it did not make since for the car not to stay running, running poorly I could understand. Thats a $700 part! If it does not fix it thats a very expensive dead end. Leet me ask this; I disconnected the converter from the exhaust system to test as I said before, which did not work. I did not disconnect the O2 sensors should of I? I really dont think the car is running long enough to get them up to activation temperature anyway.

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Saturday, February 10th, 2007 AT 1:21 PM

MECH DUMMY

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3 POSTS

I ran the car at 3000 RPM and about 15 minutes later it started to die, sputtered and came back, a couple minutes it sputters but continues to run. A few minutes later it makes a back fire sound and then died. It would not restart, just like before but this time I can hear it fire once. The only thing I really have not checked yet is compression. Thats the nest thing to figure out how to do.

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Saturday, February 10th, 2007 AT 2:45 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

Just for the heck of it and I know you said you checked the fuel flow prior to the filter, but how? It can look like it has pressure but the best way to test is with a fuel pressure check. We need to look there for starters.

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Saturday, February 10th, 2007 AT 3:03 PM