Shuts off while driving

Tiny
BOB GOGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 238,000 MILES
I have been trying to diagnose a problem for a few weeks now. I was driving at seventy mph on the highway first time it happened and RPM's dropped to zero. Shifted to neutral and made it over two lanes to the shoulder. Tried to start a couple times while still tolling then after coming to a stop. No go. I shifted the car into park then first then park again figuring maybe some kind of sensor. Still turns over but no spark. I took the key out of ignition and put it in the auto shift over ride key slot and shifted from first back to park while pressing key a couple times. Put key back in ignition and it started up. I think this was a coincidence.
Next day coming home from work, went through a traffic light and saw tachometer drop to zero again. Pulled over and tried to crank but nothing. Same thing with key in the shifter slot and moved shifter a couple times. Started right up. This happened once more the following week but that time had to wait longer until it finally started after twenty minutes. Weather was hot over eighty five degrees each time it happened and AC on. Checked battery/alternator and other connections in the mean time.

Now a week later and I get to a job site, backed into parking space and car cut off as I backed up. Would not start again. Went inside and returned after one hour still would not start. Opened hood and pulled distributor cap off and checked wiring cap and rotor. Banged on top of distributor, put it all back together and it started right up.
Decided to replace cap, rotor, plugs and wires since had not been done in 25,000 miles. While I had it apart I removed the coil and checked readings, everything okay. Loosened all nuts and cleaned and tightened back down. Car starts and runs fine. Back to work yesterday, left office to run a call. Car starts and runs fine until I pull into a parking space and car quits. Come out half an hour later starts right up.
Headed to the store on the way home everything fine. Go to leave the store turned over and started then stopped immediately. Then would not start. Opened hood, pulled off distributor cap and rotor. Tapped top of distributor. Put it back together started right up. Four miles down the road on the highway and it quits. Pulled over and opened hood. Gave the distributor a couple gentle bangs with a wrench on the metal distributor, got in started up and drove five miles home.

After reading through the forum I am thinking that maybe some connection inside the distributor has gotten broken on one of the circuit board connections where the coil plugs in. I have taken apart every connector under the hood and they all seem fine along with fuse connections in the main fuse box under hood.
I know the ignition switch when turned on does not always provide power to the radio and I have to wiggle the switch to get the radio to power on.

Any help on this would be appreciated. Should I replace ignition switch first since I know it is suspect or replace the whole distributor or cam sensors etc.

Thanks
Bob
Tuesday, July 31st, 2018 AT 2:03 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,527 POSTS
This sounds like a classic Honda ignition distributor problem. When you had the cap off did you see rust colored dust inside? This is sure sign the distributor needs to be replaced.

Here is a guide to help you replace the distributor.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2018 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
BOB GOGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ken

Thanks very much for your reply. No I did not see any rust. The car is originally from California and has a rebuilt motor but I doubt the distributor was ever changed. The wire connector covers are heavily discolored and I suspect the heat has taken its toll on this twenty two year old car. I hate to part with it since it runs great otherwise. Do you recommend getting a distributor form the Honda dealer or go with an OEM from AZ or similar. I assume I can just remove it and install the new one with the rotor facing the same direction and do not need to be concerned with timing with a light?
Funny it has not done it again since bopping it with a wrench a few nights ago. I will get it replaced as soon as I find a replacement locally.

Thanks again,
Bob
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2018 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,527 POSTS
Hi Bob,

They make many levels of distributor rebuilds you can check Amazon or RockAuto installing it is a snap. Let me know what happens. Ken
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
BOB GOGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Went to AutoZone last night and bought it. Put it in thirty minutes up and running. It actually cleared up a problem with acceleration I had been having from a complete stop also. I would step on the gas fro a stop sign and it would pause before accelerating. This morning no hesitation at all. Great advice and thanks for your help. Much appreciated!
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 10:36 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,527 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 1:38 PM

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