Shuts off while driving?

Tiny
NICHOLE80
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 292,000 MILES
I have the car listed above LX model. A couple of months ago I started having fuel issues. I replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel relay, drained the tank and cleaned it and put premium gas back in. ( I never run anything but premium). Once I replaced all that I wasn't getting spark. So, I replaced my MAP sensor, throttle positing sensor cap and rotor and the bottom o2 sensor. During all that the only code that was thrown was the 0420 code. That's why I changed the 02 sensor. Month and half later (2 weeks ago) it shut off on me again. This time couldn't get it to start at all. Towed it home battery drained so I couldn't check for a code. Tested my coil. It was bad. Replaced that, the cap and rotor again, and the spark plugs. Ran fine for a week. Today it shut off on me 3 times going to work which is only 4 miles away. And once on the way home. Had to wait maybe 2-3 minutes before it would start again. Once I got it started it ran fine the rest of the way home. The only code is the 0420 code still. I was thinking it could be my camshaft sensor or crank shaft sensor. Or would a clogged cat be the issue?
I should also mention that my car was stolen a couple of times about a year ago. They messed up my ignition. Which I haven't bothered to replace. Whenever I go some were I pull the fuse for the fuel pump, that way the car won't start if someone attempts to steal it again.
Saturday, February 15th, 2025 AT 8:49 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Hi,

When it fails to start, we need to determine if spark or fuel is lost. So, when this happens, see if the engine starts if you use starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, we know its fuel related. If it doesn't start, check if there is spark to the plugs. Here is a link that explains how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Note that the crankshaft position sensor can act this way. The sensor on this vehicle is integral to the distributor. If you find no spark, that is what likely will need to be replaced.

Read through this link and let me know if it mirrors what you are experiencing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, February 16th, 2025 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
NICHOLE80
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I know it's getting gas. That I do know. So, is the crankshaft positioning sensor next to the coil on the distributer? Or is down by the timing belt and harmonic balancer and what have you.
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Monday, February 17th, 2025 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,193 POSTS
Yep, I would replace the complete distributor you can get them for about $68.00 on Amazon.

https://amzn.to/3XbXvho

Here is how to change it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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Thursday, February 20th, 2025 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
NICHOLE80
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Does a new distributor come with an ICM?
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Monday, February 24th, 2025 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,193 POSTS
Yes, and pick up coil as well.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 AT 9:41 AM

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