car died??? - Honda Prelude Forum

zarmchicoca · 03-02-2002, 07:24 PM

my 5th gen lude died at a stop yesterday. I tried starting it a couple of times and it wouldnt start; I have a supercharged Prelude and I am wondering if anyone has any idea what might be going on? My alterntor??? It never happened before I installed my SC Thanks a lot for any help

ice1cube · 03-02-2002, 08:23 PM

We're going to need some more information if you want us to predict what your problem might be...

zarmchicoca · 03-03-2002, 09:08 PM

It has now happened a couple of times to me and it is worrying/pissing me off. My car is driving fine, no problem ; and then at some completely random point when my car isrevving down t idle, will keeprevving down until it shuts off. There is no trembling or jolt from a stall; the engine just revs down then turns off; and a coupl of times it sounded like someting was shooting out my exhaust, like buildup or something???
--Also, mybattery is fine and works well; my alternator I believe is fine because the car works great normally.
--when it dies, it wont start up again for a while and I am almost certain it is either not getting a spark? (though the car definitely turns over and the starter sounds up) or the car is not getting the fuel; cuz when I step on the gas trying to start it it doesnt fire up lie it would ormally.
--Please help if you have any good knowledge or info, thank you!

ZzRicezZ · 03-03-2002, 09:43 PM

hmm it could be ur ignition switch.. i had the same problem in my accord where it took time to start the car but after a while it will just completely shut down..

have that check..

zarmchicoca · 03-03-2002, 09:55 PM

but my car starts just fine in the morning and any other time really. It's just right after it dies randomly for no real noticable reason that it wont start at first; other than that i seems to start fine; also its a 98, isnt tha early for a failed ignition switch?

WDW · 03-03-2002, 09:58 PM

could it be your not getting the proper fuel you car needs, I know some times the ECU will shut off if the cars running to lean to prevent engine damage. Have you have your throttle body cleaned and injectors cleaned, get a BG induction cleaner kit it made a big difference on my 97 with 70k.

sgvprelude · 03-03-2002, 10:20 PM

seems like your not getting enough fuel pressure. a friend of mines had the same problem on his SC integ, and he upgraded to a high flow fuel filter, cleaned out the injectors, and put a JR fuel pump....problem solved + additional HP. hope that helps

zarmchicoca · 03-03-2002, 10:37 PM

Ihave the JR fuel pump, and my A/F gauge says I'm running a little rich, not lean.

--TW What is the BG induction cleaner kit? Where can I find this? Is it easy to use? Do you take of the intake and clean the throttle body directly? How does it go through system? And where can I find this product; thanks a lot for the info. I have almost 70000 miles myself

CSnyder · 03-03-2002, 10:59 PM

i am almost certain it's your ignition switch...goto honda and get one for $30 and put it in...no biggie. i did it without the helms.

my car was doing the EXACT same thing.

-chris

WDW · 03-03-2002, 11:29 PM

The only way you can buy the BG induction cleaning kit is at a shop, or a dealership, you can check with a store like pep boys or discount auto but youll need the device and a air compressor to get it in, i work at a nissan dealership so i just use there equipement, its the only product that ive actually ever seen what it says it does, it gets ride of all and i mean all carbon buildup, the mechanics have tested it out when i was there, we did a before and after test on a 91 sentra, we took the engine apart and inspected it and then put it together and ran the cleaner and let the engine run for about 10 mins then let it cool down and took it apart and it was so clean it looked brand new. At my discount i get it for $30 bucks and it includes cans of different cleaners to be used. They also have engine flush and transmission flush. Check around your areas delearships even thoe there not honda delearships they can still work on your car.

moneypit · 03-04-2002, 12:56 AM

Let me guess, driving down the road, engine shuts off and the green key light starts flashing, but stereo and other electronics still play...sounds too farmiliar. Then car will not start right away unless you wait a minute or two because if you try, the motor turns over, but the engine dies immediatly after that. Am I getting warm?

atlxchink · 03-04-2002, 02:10 AM

sup man, you go to UCD? i'd like to take a look at your car sometime if you are, hit me up

SAM

H9krevs · 03-04-2002, 11:34 AM

my car died too..............but not that way.
it sounded like it was gargling something at idle, and the intake tone didnt change like normal when i stepped on it.......and when
vtec engaged it slowed done. at the next stop light it died.
i got it to start long enough to get it off the street . then it wouldnt start after that.when i tried to start it would turn over really fast (then back to the normal way a honda sounds)
but right before i stoped cranking it over it made a slight knocking
sound (like on the last turn the engine made)
any ideas.............it sucks because i just got it back after 4 months of waiting(i got a new motor) . the block and head have 2,600 miles on them.everything else has about 50,000 now
any help would be great..........thanks

ludecrs01 · 03-04-2002, 06:28 PM

I know this may sound dumb but what kind of stereo system do you have? I know that if you have a system with an amp(s) sometimes that will suck enough power out to cut off the engine when at idle speed. I figured id just throw out a different angle with this subject. Peace.

ExiledinIN · 03-04-2002, 06:32 PM

Mine cut out exactly like moneypits did. I suspect mine was due to a bad rotor. I've changed my plugs, rotor, and cap at 60k. I've been driving for over a month w/ no issues. It used to crap out on me once a month. If you haven't changed any of those, I suggest that you do so given that you have 70k on the car.

zarmchicoca · 03-04-2002, 08:10 PM

I've changed my cap and rotor AND spark plug wires, as well as shifted to colder plugs (Denso Iridiums). Although I think it may be ignition related, I really dont think its the cap, rotor, or plug wires.
As for stereo system, I have two pretty heavy duty Amps pushing mids, highs, and the subs, which is a big drain. HOWEVER, the car's battery is fine and I'm pretty sure right after my car died I could sit there and listen to my stereo for at least half an hour before it sucked all my power.

Even More Mysterious--Today I was driving on the freeway in 5th gear at about 3500 RPM when the engine died for maybe half a second. It almost felt like the engine was clogged or something and when it turned back on (all while I was still in gear) it felt like it puffed out something--though this could be just due to the way the engine felt upon stalling and not be the sign of some sort of clog.
What I am wondering is if a faulty ignition switch could cause the car to shut off when it was traveling 65-70 in gear on the highway. Wouldnt the ignition switch only affect the car trying to get it started or maybe at idle. THANKS a lot for all the help, please reply ASAP with any helpful info.

Spraylude · 03-04-2002, 10:49 PM

It's your ignition electrical switch. Your car can stall while you are driving and even if you pop the clutch it still won't run. Mine went bad on my 97 and I thought that it was kind of weird on that new of a car and I believe it is going bad again because it has stalled a few times since I replaced it 6 months ago.
It's not hard to replace, only held in by 2 screws.