Honda Civic SI Misfire CEL

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TGriffin

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My 2000 Civic SI stranded me on the way to work last week. The check engine light started flashing and it quickly lost power and stalled on the freeway. I had a similar problem several months ago, but that was cured by a new ignition control module. This time it's something different. It will start, but it runs rough and the CEL will blink and the codes indicate multiple misfires. It will clear up and run smoothly at higher rpm's, but acts up again when they drop. All four plugs are sooty so there appears to be ample fuel available, just not enough fire at the right time to burn it. I have another 2000 civic that I borrowed ignition parts from and have switched out the coil and the ignition module with no change. Unfortunately the "spare" Civic is not an SI so the distributors are not compatible. I did check continuity on the TDC sensor and the other two position sensors in the distributor and they were fine. The plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor are all new from the last issue and it has been running fine up until the meltdown last week. The car has 180,000 mostly freeway miles on it, runs (ran) well and doesn't use much oil.

I'm pretty much out of ideas other than maybe checking for a stuck EGR valve or resetting the ECM. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Tom
 
Maybe a clogged EGR. I had the same symptoms on my Honda minivan with 160k miles. The clogged EGR was the culprit and i had the same codes regarding the misfires.
 
Coolant temp sensor? Mine went bad and the car thought the coolant was always -20F, so it was running full rich all the time. This created a misfire when the car was warmed up.
 
also check the fuel pressure regulator, have you adjusted the valves in awhile? the first gen crv's (i belive you have the same engine) are really bad about valves becoming out of adjustment and causing misfires, usually results in a new head being installed.what kinda of plugs did you use? hondas are picky and ngk's seem to work the best also iridium's seem problematic in hondas not equipped with them from the factory.
could you have possibly skipped a tooth on the timing belt?also is the seal installed on the dist. cap? maybe got some water in there.
 
The plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor are less than two months old and have been working fine. Whatever this is happened quickly and with little warning. I suppose the timing belt could be a possibility but it is also quite new with only a few thousand miles on it.

Tom
 
A fuel pressure regulator or pressure sensor may be bad.
But a TPS or MAF is just as likely. All sorts of stuff.
This is a tough internet problem: "It runs bad sometimes, what is it?"
 
I pulled the plug on the MAF sensor and the engine immediately stalled so I suspect it's doing its thing. Don't know how to check the TPS and I haven't looked at fuel yet.

Thanks

Tom
 
There are (were) five codes; misfires on cylinders 1-4 and one for random misfires. Nothing else.

Tom
 
go for simple first,,pour 4 oz of sta bil fuel stabilizer in the tank,,I got water in mine and had all kind of codes in my dodge, its a thought, mine was running rough, backfired some,,loss of power,,the sta bil did the trick
 
Have you changed the MAP or MAF sensor? This seems to be a common problem on Honda as well.

Since it is not temperature related I don't think you need to worry about the coolant temperature sensor.

If it is not MAP/MAF then you probably also should check the fuel pressure regulation related stuff.
 
I have had the same problem only on a 2001 civic. It is common for the EGR ports to get plugged. I removed the intake manifold and the ports are built into the block and sandwiched by the intake gasket. I replaced the gasket and cleaned the ports also. It may be possible that the EGR valve is plugged or inop also. It would be easy to remove the EGR valve and check for carbon buildup. The EGR valve rarely goes bad.The codes will show misfires and Lean misfires. I would bet this is your problem.
 
For some reason, many vehicles are not able to pinpoint a failing coil with coil-on-plug ignition and throw random misfire code. I am familiar with Honda Odyssey. Disconnecting one at a time will pinpoint the offending cylinder.
 
Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
sounds like u mite try marvel mystery oil,u aint got nothing to loose


Not again ...the dreaded snake oil that will solve ANY problem!!
spankme2.gif
 
Where is that ASE Certified Master Honda/Acura Tech when you need him ???

Maybe you can PM him.
 
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