1999 Honda Civic Dies While Driving

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ICEMAN_24
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My wifes '99 Civic (EX, 220k, 1.6L) just died on her one day driving down the road. We have replaced the timing belt, fuel pump, main relay(was making clicking noise) but no progress. My brother-in-law is a mechanic and he drove it home a few times and it did it to him. His initial diagnosis was an electrical cluster because when it died he played with some wires and then it started. but when it did it to him 4 more times, he said it was a different wire every time. I thought that it might be an electrical problem but then I sprayed starting fluid into the throttle body and it started. Then I poured gas directly into the throttle body and it actuall ran until the gas was gone. I talked to Honda and they are lost. They had me check to fuel filter to make sure that fuel was passing through, and it was. Any ideas???? Please help!! We paid it off a year ago, and then this happened. It hasn't run for more than a day in a year. Thank you very much!!!!!!!! :mrgreen:
Jan 23, 2007 at 11:42 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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I would start by checking for proper fuel pressure. A new pump does gaurentee success. It may be getting some volume, but maybe not enough. I assume the filter was replaced the same time as the pump?

The starting fluid test sure seems to point toward lack of fuel.
Jan 23, 2007 at 11:51 AM
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UCC
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If you check out your fuel pressure by disconnecting the fuel line at the pump (if easily accesable) or even up by the filter, when turning the key over it should SPRAY out very hard, if is just trickeling then it is deffinatly your pump. I would check the fuse to the fuel pump as well, Ive had that pop before.
Jan 29, 2007 at 3:09 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Not to disagree, but a couple pounds of pressure can be the difference that may not be revealed unless the pump is that weak to see a visual difference.
Jan 29, 2007 at 9:49 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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"Not to disagree", but you did and rightly so.
Jan 30, 2007 at 3:09 AM

Suggested Repair

Measure fuel pressure with a gauge rather than judging delivery by spray volume. A replacement pump can still be weak, so also verify the fuel pump fuse and confirm the filter was replaced with the pump. The starting-fluid test points to insufficient fuel delivery.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Honda Civic EX dies while driving and will not stay running despite replacement of the timing belt, fuel pump, and main relay. Intermittent restarts after moving wires suggested an electrical issue, but starting fluid and fuel poured into the throttle body made it run. Experts recommend a proper fuel-pressure test because visible flow can miss low pressure, and also checking the fuel pump fuse.

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