1994 Acura Integra LS - Engine Dies, Power Stays On - Acura Forum

kirkouimet · 07-03-08, 06:26 PM

Hi all, first post here. Just want to get some opinions on what could be going bad with my 1994 Acura Integra LS (155K miles).

A couple of months ago my engine cut out while I was driving around 20 MPH. I didn't even notice it until I pressed the gas to try and accelerate, as the stereo stayed on and the AC kept blowing. I pulled over to the side of the road, removed the key from the ignition, stuck it back and and turned it and it started up fine.

Over the last two months the engine has died on me more and more frequently. Each time it dies I wait a little while, turn the key, and the car starts right up. Sometimes it won't start up right away, it will just crank and not start. I'll try anywhere from 1-20 times to start it and eventually it will start. Usually when it does start it starts right up, as if there isn't a problem at all. Sometimes when I try to start the car the engine will choke and sputter as if it is about to start, but then the whole vehicle shakes and the engine dies.

On a hot day it'll die, I'll get it to start, and it will die again after a few hundred yards. I have to repeat the process many times in order to get home, kind of embarrassing. =]

The check engine light is not on - only turns on when the engine loses power and goes off as soon as I take the key out and put it back in.

The problem seems to be sensitive to heat, as it will only occur on really hot days, or if I have been driving all day.

My mechanic told me to pull out the spark plugs and see if I get spark off of them by jamming a screw driver into the plug and try sparking it on the ground wire connected to the engine. One time when it wouldn't start I tried that, and while the engine was cranking I was getting red and yellow sparks hitting the ground wire and the vehicle would not start.

Do you guys have any idea what this could be? I'm thinking either the main relay is having problem getting power to the fuel pump or a bad ignition control module.

Thanks so much!

Kirk

*C25A1guy* · 07-03-08, 08:05 PM

how long ago were the plugs, dist. cap and rotor replaced and were the cap and rotor replaced with OEM or YEC parts?

kirkouimet · 07-21-08, 12:59 AM

SOLUTION:

I replaced the distributor and it has appeared to fix the problem.

coldfire · 07-21-08, 11:34 AM

Darn ignition systems..... Always a PITA.

kintaro · 08-19-08, 03:11 PM

Did you replace the distributor yourself? If so, how hard was it to replace. I heard that you have to mark the timing before pulling the old one out. Is this true? Does anyone have a write up preferably with pictures?

92integ · 08-19-08, 06:53 PM

just pull the cap off ur dizzy be4 u pull the dizzy out and see where rotor is pointing, install new dizzy with rotor pointing same place.....worst thing u could do is get it off 180 degrees so if that happened pull dizzy out and rotate rotor 180 degrees

07-03-08, 06:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
kirkouimet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Car 1: 1994 Acura Integra	1994 Acura Integra LS - Engine Dies, Power Stays On Hi all, first post here. Just want to get some opinions on what could be going bad with my 1994 Acura Integra LS (155K miles). A couple of months ago my engine cut out while I was driving around 20 MPH. I didn't even notice it until I pressed the gas to try and accelerate, as the stereo stayed on and the AC kept blowing. I pulled over to the side of the road, removed the key from the ignition, stuck it back and and turned it and it started up fine. Over the last two months the engine has died on me more and more frequently. Each time it dies I wait a little while, turn the key, and the car starts right up. Sometimes it won't start up right away, it will just crank and not start. I'll try anywhere from 1-20 times to start it and eventually it will start. Usually when it does start it starts right up, as if there isn't a problem at all. Sometimes when I try to start the car the engine will choke and sputter as if it is about to start, but then the whole vehicle shakes and the engine dies. On a hot day it'll die, I'll get it to start, and it will die again after a few hundred yards. I have to repeat the process many times in order to get home, kind of embarrassing. =] The check engine light is not on - only turns on when the engine loses power and goes off as soon as I take the key out and put it back in. The problem seems to be sensitive to heat, as it will only occur on really hot days, or if I have been driving all day. My mechanic told me to pull out the spark plugs and see if I get spark off of them by jamming a screw driver into the plug and try sparking it on the ground wire connected to the engine. One time when it wouldn't start I tried that, and while the engine was cranking I was getting red and yellow sparks hitting the ground wire and the vehicle would not start. Do you guys have any idea what this could be? I'm thinking either the main relay is having problem getting power to the fuel pump or a bad ignition control module. Thanks so much! Kirk

07-03-08, 08:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
C25A1guy The Mongolian Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chan Marino, CA Age: 24 Posts: 5,680 Your Mood: Car 1: 2002 RSX Car 2: 2007 Honda Ridgeline Car 3: 2005 Honda Civic	how long ago were the plugs, dist. cap and rotor replaced and were the cap and rotor replaced with OEM or YEC parts? __________________ Click here to see my gallery! Thanks To my sponsors and affaliets: M1 Autobody, ICB Motorsports, Honsport, Hondata, E Auto Parts, New Century Auto, APR Performance, Toyo Tires, Buddy Club USA, Torco Racing Oils, GenX Graphics

07-21-08, 11:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
coldfire Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,019 Your Mood: Car 1: '95 Integra GSR DB8 Car 2: '93 Civic DX Car 3: 2004 Honda S2000	Darn ignition systems..... Always a PITA. __________________ 1995 Acura Integra GSR 1993 Honda Civic DX 1982 Porsche 924 - SOLD 2004 Honda S2000 Midwest meet planning.

08-19-08, 06:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
92integ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle Age: 19 Posts: 222 Your Mood: Car 1: 1991 civic (B18B1) Car 2: 1992 integra (SOLD) Car 3: 92 Talon Turbo	just pull the cap off ur dizzy be4 u pull the dizzy out and see where rotor is pointing, install new dizzy with rotor pointing same place.....worst thing u could do is get it off 180 degrees so if that happened pull dizzy out and rotate rotor 180 degrees __________________

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07-21-08, 12:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
kirkouimet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Car 1: 1994 Acura Integra	SOLUTION: I replaced the distributor and it has appeared to fix the problem.

08-19-08, 03:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
kintaro Acuraworld Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1	Did you replace the distributor yourself? If so, how hard was it to replace. I heard that you have to mark the timing before pulling the old one out. Is this true? Does anyone have a write up preferably with pictures?

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