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Engine loses power

Tiny
LANCE9667
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 70,000 MILES
Hi guys,

I recently (today) changed my O2 sensor, because of the code. However now the car temporarly loses power. The engine does not die or stall but I can presss the gas pedal and nothing happens. The problem doesn't last more than a second (or a few seconds) but it happens. I'm not sure if the fuel filter is original or not. But it seems odd that this would just start happening after the O2 sensor was changed. Any ideas on what could possibly be causing this to occur?

Thanks in advance.
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 7:11 PM

41 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Did you use what it calls for or an after market universal O2 sensor
if used the universal they may not work well
also check if you have federal or California emission it makes a different too

This guide will help us find it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
ALANLOPEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
I have a honda civic si 1999 1.6 L DOHC in California and I recently changed to better spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, oil, and oil filter. The car previously had acceleration problems and I thought that this would fix it, but no real difference occured. The car starts accelerating fine in first gear and second gear but in third gear the car just looses some power between 2000-3000 RPM and feels like I can floor it and not speed up. The only thing left that come to mind is the clutch, but I recently got it repaired 2 yrs ago and I do not know what to do.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Replace the ignition cap, rotor and ignition wires.

If the problem is still there, have the ECU scanned, you may have a sensor that is out of parameter.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALANLOPEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks I will def. Look into that! About two years ago I had most of the sensors replaced, but i'll look into that as well.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBDANBREAMBSHACRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
99 civic going up hill loses almost all power and goes about 5mph. Tranny seems to be not shifting correctly also.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Is the check engine light on? Also, verify that the transmission has fluid at the correct level.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBDANBREAMBSHACRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Light is on and transmission fluid is correct
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERIC LATHROP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
1999 honda civic ex code p0420 (auto zone)describes as follows, air leak at o2 sensor/or bad sensor; vacuum leak; faulty catalytic converter. When in park/or neutral car idles & excellerates normal, but when put in gear there is no power and cannot gain speed past 15 mph. Fuel filter is clear and fuel pump operation allows me to hold back pressure easily w/ a finger. The car's Exhaust is without obstruction. Does this make sence and can you help me?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAD0691
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Yesterday I was driving home about 40-50mph when suddenly I noticed that my speedometer dropped to 0, and afterwards on a stop light when I was accelerating I was having a hard time speeding up from 1st gear to 2nd gear. I was stepping on the gas and RPM says about 2500 to 3000 with no or very little speed on 1st gear trying to make it to 2nd gear. After in second gear all things seems normal with the exception of my speedometer dead. Both happened at the same time, Any thought. Thanks in advance.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
You need to get to the bottom of this. You should not drive vehicle until its fixed. Your transmission is going into fail safe mode. Your speed sensor tells transmission when to shift. If it does not work your transmission does not know when to shift. Check your fuse box under drivers side dash. Check all fuses. Replace it if it is bad. There are a number of things that could cause this, just as simple a a vehicle speed sensor. Have it checked out right away. If you keep driving it you will damage transmission. Hope this helps. Feedback and votes are greatly appreciated.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGNOB26
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 128,000 MILES
Bought 99 1.4i honda civic today, car seem's to be going great only for it has no power going up hills, can u help plz
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
It's only a 1.4! Try downshifting to lower gear?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Have a tune-up performed and retest.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGNOB26
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Last car was 1.4 and could take a mile long hill in 5th gear and be 65mph, but with the new car which is 1.4 on same hill I be in 3rd gear doing 35mph. Have been riped off in past, so I dont just want to put car into garage and be iped off again, thanx for help
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the engine is out of time etc, you would have power losses. It could be ignition timing, clogged fuel filter and without any diagnostics, you would not be able to figure out what is wrong.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS4
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 99 honda civic ex which I just had the engine, intake manifold, wiring hareness, computer, and my clutch replaced about a month ago. It was working fine until now. My car is idling very low to the point that half the time it dies. When I press on the gas it will hesitate and it also makes a spitting noise. What could this be? Please help me!
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi sessions4,

When the idling speed is too low, you need to clean the throttle body and IAC valve.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Shoulda went up hill before you bought it? Coulda got it cheaper or moved on?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS4
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks. But wat could be causeing the spitting noise.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Bignob, any word on this? Have you had it scanned for codes or got rid of it?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)

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