1997 Honda Civic Low RPM Hesitation

1997 HONDA CIVIC
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W003RER
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I am getting a very slight hesitation (jerkiness), almost a misfire but I wouldn't say it was that severe. I gave the car a tune up and it didn't fix the problem. The hesitation occurs at low RPM and sometimes only once or multiple times as I accelerate . Once I reach speed it stops. It also occurs when the motor is under load. Is this a typical distributor problem, or could it be something else, clutch slipping, MAP Sensor problem, etc. I am taking it to a Honda dealer but want to have a heads up on some of the responses I might get from the dealer mechanic.

Thanks

Ran Raider
Jun 21, 2006 at 3:45 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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The very first thing I suspect is the plug wires. That is the very problem that surfaces with a bad set of wires. Try switching with another to check or replace them.
Jun 21, 2006 at 9:11 AM
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KWONG
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I have a similiar problem with my honda civic also an it only has 72000 miles what did the dealer say because I am taking my car to the dealers also..
Jul 31, 2006 at 1:38 PM
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94BOWDEN
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Pull out your spark plugs to see if they are fowled up at all if so then your running to rich if they are black and to lean if they if they are white. You can fix alot of problems by looking at your spark plugs. They give you an idea of whats going on inside your motor. Check them and write back
Aug 3, 2006 at 3:09 AM
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JAYT
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I have a 99 Civic with the same exact problem. The car died upon acceleration mid-intersection. Turned out that the ignition coil had burnt out, literally. After replacing, the car started again but the hesitation/misfire problem was noticed for the first time. I replaced the cap and wires. The plugs look good. The problem is still there, but usually only occurs after the engine warms up. Any advice would be appreciated.
Aug 13, 2006 at 6:53 AM

Suggested Repair

Check the spark plug wires first and replace them if they are faulty. Bad plug wires commonly cause slight low-RPM hesitation or jerkiness under load.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Honda Civic reported slight hesitation or jerkiness at low RPM under load that stopped once up to speed. A tune-up did not fix it, and the owner wondered about the distributor, clutch, or MAP sensor. The expert first suspected bad spark plug wires and advised comparing them with another set or replacing them. Other owners described similar Civic symptoms and mentioned checking spark plugs or ignition parts, but those were not confirmed fixes for this car.

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