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Stalling no check engine light?

Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 193,000 MILES
I have the car listed above EX and there are two issues. One randomly stalls at stops or red lights but no check engine. The second problem is when I'm driving it feels like the gear is slipping, I'll be at 3,000 RPMs and it will instantly drop to like 1.5 and go back. The engine light shows and goes away during the rpm fluctuation. The car jerks during this and all this happens at random times.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 1:19 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

When this happens, how fast is the vehicle moving? 3K RPMs is high for a cruising speed of approximately 60 MPH. Also, when it stalls, does it start right back up? Does it stall regardless of the engine is warm or cold?

Do me a favor and look through this link. It describes symptoms related to a failing crankshaft position sensor. When bad, they can certainly cause a stalling issue and drivability issue. See if anything mirrors what you are experiencing.

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

Next, since the check engine light turned on, there should be some pending codes related even if the light went back out. It would still be a good idea to have it scanned.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
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  • 14 POSTS
It usually happens on the freeway where I'm going around 65-75 MPH so in between 3 and 4,000 RPMs. It usually happens when the car has had time to warm up not when it's cold. The link sounds like what the issue is with similar symptoms. I have a obd reader so I'll check to see if any codes pop up.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
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  • 14 POSTS
The were no codes that popped up.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Now I went to the gas station and my car is a no crank no start.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
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  • 14 POSTS
I was able to fix it. It was the clutch safety switch I just put a paperclip. Would that be the cause?
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

The clutch safety switch will prevent the starter from engaging if it is faulty. However, I'm not sure how that would tie into the other issue (stalling).

Also, I recommend replacing the clutch safety switch and removing the paper clip jumper.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, September 12th, 2024 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
So today I drove around 200 miles and none of the previous things happened. Yea, I'm planning on changing it sometime this week. Other than that, what should my next steps be?
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Thursday, September 12th, 2024 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

When the check engine light turns on, is it flashing or is it solid before it turns back off?

If it flashes, that indicates a misfire. If it is solid, we need to check for a pending code.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, September 12th, 2024 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
If I remember correctly it's solid. I don't have the fancy code readers, so where could I go to check that?
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Thursday, September 12th, 2024 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Oftentimes, parts stores such as AutoZone will do it free of charge. Have you tried somewhere like that?

Joe
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Friday, September 13th, 2024 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I just went to AutoZone and there were no codes. And the vehicle shut off on me a couple days ago but other than that it's been fine.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2024 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
When you come to a stop and this happens, have you ever noticed what RPMs the engine is idling at prior to the stalling? Does it have a smooth idle or is it rough?

Stalling it a tough call when there are no codes because most causes will set a check engine light. Since this is an intermittent issue, that makes it more difficult. Have you checked for engine vacuum leaks? Do me a favor and see if anything in this link help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Let me know.

joe
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
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Yea, usually the RPMs are at 500. Which is normal, it's been over 100 this week where I'm located and it caused it to happen more often. I have checked for vacuum leaks and nothing is leaking.
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Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I have one other question. Now that I know the temps where you are located, does this happen if the AC is turned off (which is likely never LOL)?

If you haven't checked to see if that makes a difference, try it and let me know. If it doesn't stall, we likely either have an idle air control valve issue or the PCM isn't causing the IAC to compensate for the added load.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Okay, so when I bought the car the a/c didn't work unless I was driving on the freeway or on long roads. It wasn't until today that I checked and my psi was at 78. Now that you mention it yea the a/c has always been on. Okay I'll try it.
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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I totally understand why you always have it on. LOL There is an idle air control valve (IAC) on this vehicle. When everything is off with the engine running, it allows so much air to enter the combustion chamber to keep it at a steady idle. However, when you place a load on the engine such as the AC, the IAC then is signaled by the PCM to open more to increase the idle speed to compensate.

I attached a couple of pictures below that better explain. Also, here are two links that explain in general how one works and is serviced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-idle-air-control-valve-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

Let me know if this helps and what happens with the AC off.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Okay, so, nothing has happened with the A/C off, but I did get a check engine light. The courage was p0134 which is for the 02 sensor.
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Monday, October 7th, 2024 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
So this morning the check engine light went away and later on in the day the rpms fluctuated again 3 times but the A/C was off.
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

If that resolved the stalling issue, we may need to replace the idle air control valve or try to service it. I attached general directions above for you. If you look below, I attached a picture showing its location.

If you remove the IAC, make sure there is no carbon where it mounts onto the throttle body.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
DEVONV08
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Unfortunately, it did stall later in the day. But I will inspect the IAC and see if it just needs to be cleaned or replaced.
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 AT 10:45 PM

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