Civic died again tonight
 

A few weeks ago my civic died directly after using vtec. Tonight it did the same thing when we were cruising around town. I had the A/C on. I took my foot off of the gas, coasted in nuetral, and then the car died. It wouldn't restart (just like before) unless I let it sit for 10 minutes or so.

I'm baffled. Every time this happens I am just giving myself more ammo to buy another car.

Next week I might be making actual sales calls for work. I either need to find out what the problem is (and fast) or start making a plan to buy a car.

With your situation, you may want a temporary car that get's "OK" FE to get you by, if you need to. FE pays a premium right now, and if you need the car for work, by all means get something reliable. Get a price range in mind and do some research. We won't think any less of you if you have to get a V-6 Sedan or something in the interim. I used the '99 TL as a stepping-stone into paying off debt and having a reliable ride to haul the fam and enjoy the comforts. It allowed us to have a lower payment, save up, and make a decent down payment on newer car. You might have to do something like that in the meantime. Best of luck, though. This has to be weighing heavy on you right now. Keep us informed, and let us know if we can help...

RH77

Matt...it REALLY sounds like a main relay issue to me.

Next time your car does this, check to see if the fuel pump is running - carry a wrench with you and crack the nut on the fuel rail. If you're by yourself, prop open the hood, put a rag around the nut and turn the key to the ON position for a second or two, then back off. Check the rag for fuel. If there is none, I'd almost throw money at the main relay.

My ED3's ignition switch went bad at one point too...it had me baffled...sometimes acted like a bad main relay and other times acted like a bad coil / ignitor. It's easy enough to replace - two tiny 6mm bolts hold it to the back of the ignition key cylinder and it's a few wires...AutoZone even stocks new ones for sale.

Air Fuel Spark - pick one!

I was thinking main relay also. I got a new one on ebay dor the Del SOl and the problem went away.

I say fix what you have and if it blinks out rent something to get you through until it is fixed. Cars can be rented in the mid $20s per day plus fees. Which is less than a monthly payment and full coverage insurance.

Or if not I go with something extra cheap. I found saturns to be good cars for not much money. I'm sure there are other cheaper cars out there though.

After talking with diemaster last night I do think it's the main relay. It also explains why I can start the car again after letting it "cool down" for 15 minutes or so.

I only wish the Honda parts department was open on Saturday.

Diemaster also mentioned to me something that I never knew before. Hopefully it's true. According to him on DPFI Hondas the injectors run through the main relay. On MPFI hondas the injectors do not. Apparently upgrading to MPFI puts an extra load on DPFI wiring, often causing main relay failure.

As for my plans, I need to quit being emotional and be a bit more rational. My brain keeps telling me to keep my civic and wait at least until the next calendar year to get a Fit.

Maybe I should write this on a piece of paper and leave it on my bathroom mirror so I can see it every morning.

BTW, does anyone know if a main relay from a 95 civic (CX I think) will work in a 89 Civic?

4th Option
 

Anymore there seems to be a 4th option: the darn ECU or Electric gremlins (controls all 3). In this instance, the relay (assuming that's the problem) won't let the engine turn to create the spark, pump the fuel and draw in the air. More parts anymore than on a '70 Gran Torino.

RH77

its very intersting that its the relay causing these problems. i believe it.

The same guy is selling both an 88-81 and a 92-95. It they were interchangeable I would think they would be listed as 88-95.

88-91
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/88-91...spagenameZWDVW


92-95
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-95...spagenameZWDVW