1997 Honda Civic Dies: new fuel pump, still dies

BECKA423

MEMBER
1997 HONDA CIVIC

Hi,
My 1997 Honda Civic EX died after driving 35 miles and only a few minutes after filling up my tank. It "hiccuped" two times or hesitated, then deccelerated while I was driving. I pulled over as it died, waited a minute and tried to restart it. It made the turning over sound, but wouldn't start. I tried a few more times but couldn't start it. As I was waiting for AAA to come, I was finally able to start it again, but was afraid to drive it so had it towed to a shop.

The place I took it to had replaced the distributor assembly exactly a year ago. They told me it was either the filter or fuel pump and recommended replacing the fuel pump. I had them do the filter first and they said it was starting, but died after running awhile. When it got "hot".

They replaced the fuel pump and the filter for $499.I go to work fine. On way home (after 1-2 miles) it dies again (had just turned on AC). Wouldn't start, waited finally started. Got home a few miles away and went to drive it today, drove a few miles and died again. Check engine and oil lights came on. Waited a few minutes and was able to start it.

I took it to my usual place who is honest and they said I was overcharged for the fuel pump and that it probably wasn't that. They didn't want to do anything to it as they said the other place that just put a new fuel pump in could say that my usual guys messed it up.

Can anyone tell me what they think is going on? Shouldn't the other place have been able to tell if it was the fuel pump by checking the pressure with the regulator?

If it's not the fuel pump, shouldn't I get my $499 back (it hasn't even been a week and they obviously did not fix the problem and replaced a fuel pump that must not have needed replacing). Could it be the distributor they put in last year when the car died? Help!

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Am a single woman and do not want to be taken for a ride

1 Reply

HELLFIREG4

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I was having the similar problem with my 1998 civic. It would stall occasinally. But it would start right up after 2 minutes.I had did everything to my best ablilty to fix the problem a tune up, cleaned throttle bore, cleaned EGR, cleaned fuel injectors, check battery/fuses, check spark plugs and still ended up the with the same results stalling.

Then I was told honda civic 1997-2002 had a ignition switch problem and so I changed it. Now my car doesn't stall at all. Seem like you might be going through the same thing. Give it a go and let me know the results. The ignition switch cost about 35-45 dollars but to install in depends on the shop. Dont let them talk you into buying a new lock cyclinder with the switch as they sell just the electrical portion seperate. The electrical portion is just the wiring, two wire harnesses and the switch.

Also when your car stalls did it sputter/hesitate (electrically) before dying?Meaning did your meter needles jump crazily?
Were you able to brake easily when you pulled over or did the brake seem harder to press?

As for your mechanics that change your fuel pump I wouldn't know any price ranges for installing it as I do most of my own work.